Shropshire: Lichen Intermediate stage 2 course. From Field to Microscope- Developing techniques

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Shropshire: Lichen Intermediate stage 2 course. From Field to Microscope- Developing techniques

Start date Thur16th Oct 2025 4.00pm  End date Sun, 19th Oct 2025 2.00pm

Shropshire: Lichen Intermediate stage 2 course. From Field to Microscope- Developing techniques

Start date Thur16th Oct 2025 4.00pm  End date Sun, 19th Oct 2025 2.00pm

Location: Preston Montford Field Studies Centre, near Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 1HW. 

Location: Preston Montford Field Studies Centre, near Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 1HW. 

Tutor: David Hill   Local Organiser: Mark Stephens 

Target audience: This course has been designed for people who have confidence in using their compound microscope and aims to develop techniques. The course will start with the development of field techniques particularly in relation to sampling saxicolous substrates.  This, and the majority of the course will then focus on developing microscope techniques. There is a strong focus on Laboratory work.

It is expected that people:

  1. will bring their own microscopes (travel arrangements permitting) 

  2. be confident with using their microscope

  3. have practiced cutting sections

Objectives: By the end of the course you will:

  1. Develop confidence in setting up microscopes to best advantage

  2. Develop field ID collecting techniques to add value to your specimens. Overcoming collecting difficulties.

  3. Practice techniques to look at and collect information on vegetative structures 

  4. Use chemical techniques to look at the cortex etc. getting maximum information with minimum damage to the specimen.

  5. Appreciate the value and importance of drawing what you see

  6. Develop skills in cutting sections and mounting them for looking at apothecial and perithecial structure.

  7. Stain sections under the microscope, with K and C

  8. Examine ascus structure and spores details. Using oil immersion.

  9. Develop confidence in chemical testing under the microscope and staining sections, with N and I 

  10. Examine exciple and paraphycial structure

  11. Make specimens for further reference

Cost: The unit price for participants is £103.20 pppn  i.e. £309.60  for the 3 days (we have having 3 evening meals, 3 breakfasts and 3 packed lunches overall)

Grants: For those who require financial support please refer to the grants section of the BLS website where such applications can be made to the Wallace-Burnet-Gilbert fund.

Application process: To apply for the course please contact Sue Knight ( sueknight10@btinternet.com) for an application form. The deadlines for submission of the completed application form is 31st Jan  2025