About the event

Witnessing the comings and goings of humankind as we go about our busy and itinerant lives, road verges are a humble and frequently over-looked habitat subject to particular pressures and environmental influences.  Lining both new infrastructure and ancient thoroughfares, the wildlife that inhabits these edges tells a story of lost communities and the remarkable power of nature to adapt and survive in the face of change.

Along with spring favourites such as primroses and cowslips, many of Suffolk’s scarce and special botanical beauties can be found nestling in the undergrowth along our routes, largely unnoticed as we hurry on our way.  Anna will introduce some of these less familiar species and consider why road verges serve as some of their remaining refuges.  She will discuss the important role of verges as biodiversity corridors through our landscapes and highlight some of the opportunist species that have benefited from the ways in which our transport routes are managed.

Anna Saltmarsh works for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, contributing to a major project unlocking the information held in Kew’s vast collection of dried plant and fungal specimens from around the world.  Since returning to live in her home town of Bury St. Edmunds in 2017, Anna has delighted in the opportunity to get closer to the plant life of her native county.  Volunteering with Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Plantlife and as a warden of one of Suffolk’s network of Roadside Nature Reserves (RNRs) are a few of the ways she has found to indulge her botanical curiosity.

(photo - courtesy of Anna Saltmarsh)

This Wildlife Live Webinar is part of a series of online events on a range of wildlife topics. It is scheduled to last approximately one hour plus a questions & answers session. Suffolk Wildlife Trust uses the Zoom platform for its webinars and, when you book, you will receive simple instructions on how to join the event from the comfort of your own home. When booking, please input the same email you will be using on the night. Subtitles are available.

TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT, WHETHER PAYING BY PAYPAL OR CREDIT CARD, PLEASE ENSURE YOU SCROLL DOWN TO FILL IN THE BOOKING FORM AND COMPLETE YOUR BOOKING BY PRESSING THE ORANGE 'PLACE BOOKING' BUTTON.

Please ensure you enter your email correctly when booking as we will use this email to send you the links you need to join the Wildlife Live Webinar via Zoom. Your confirmation details and Zoom access will be specific to the email you submit. If you have any issues with booking your place or receiving the follow-up email, please contact us on networks@suffolkwildlifetrust.org. NB you may need to check your Junk folders to find the automated email instructions for joining the webinar. 

All places are non-refundable. Full Terms & Conditions are available on our website via this link. (https://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/webinars-terms-and-conditions)