Organization:British Lichen Society
| Formation | 1958 |
|---|---|
| Legal status | Not-for-profit organisation |
| Purpose | The promotion of the study, conservation and appreciation of lichens especially in relation to the British Isles |
| Location | |
Region served | Worldwide |
| Website | [1] |
The British Lichen Society (BLS) was founded in 1958 with the objective of promoting the study and conservation of lichen.[1] Although the society was founded in London, UK, it is also of relevance to lichens worldwide. It has been a registered charity (number 228850) since 1964.[2]
Among the founders were Peter Wilfred James[3] and Ursula Katherine Duncan.[4]
A series of events are held each year led by members of the society. These include field and indoor meetings and training events. The society also makes grants to support projects that study lichens. It works with other organisations.
In 1983, the BLS held its silver jubilee celebrations to commemorate 25 years since its founding. A one-day lichenology symposium was held at the Natural History Museum, London, covering the topics ecophysiology, ecology, and lichenology in the Southern Hemisphere.[5]
The Society publishes a scientific journal, The Lichenologist, that focusses on the taxonomy of lichens as well as their ecology and physiology,[6]. It was edited by Peter Wilfred James from 1958 until 1977[3] and by Peter Crittenden from 2000 to 2016.[7] There is also a twice-yearly members' bulletin, BLS Bulletin. The society also maintains a database of the lichens in England and Wales, a library based at the National Botanic Garden of Wales, and a herbarium.
Lichenologist Oliver Gilbert, former president of the BLS and editor of the organisation’s publications, wrote the book The Lichen Hunters in 2004; according to the blurb on the dust jacket, it is "part travelogue and part social history of the British Lichen Society from ... 1958 to the present".[8]
References
- ↑ "The British Lichen Society". Nature 181: 602. 1958. https://www.nature.com/articles/181602c0.pdf. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
- ↑ "British Lichen Society". https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=228850&subId=0.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Marren, Peter (30 March 2014). "Obituary. Peter James: Lichenologist who was one of the first to establish the study of these primitive plants as a scientific speciality". The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/peter-james-lichenologist-who-was-one-first-establish-study-these-primitive-plants-scientific-speciality-9224719.html.
- ↑ James, P.W. (1986). "Ursula Katherine Duncan". The Lichenologist 18 (4): 383–385. doi:10.1017/s0024282986000579.
- ↑ Moxham, T.H. (1983). "British Lichen Society Silver Jubilee Celebrations". The Lichenologist 15 (3): 289–296. doi:10.1017/s0024282983000420.
- ↑ "The Lichenologist". https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/lichenologist.
- ↑ Crittenden, Peter (2016). "Change of Managing Editor". The Lichenologist 48 (1): 1–2. doi:10.1017/S0024282915000468.
- ↑ Dirig, Robert (2006). "Reviews: Birth of the British Lichen Society". The Bryologist 109 (2): 296–298. doi:10.1639/0007-2745(2006)109[296:rbotbl2.0.co;2].
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