Prof Pen Holland

@anaspene.bsky.social

Quantitative ecology (especially seeds, and all who eat them), game-based/playful learning, ducks, cats, flowers, fantasy fiction and storytelling. Views my own.

⭐Nominate remarkable ecologists for our annual BES prizes⭐ Our awards recognise key influencers in our community whose work has benefited society and significantly advanced our understanding of the natural world🌿 Deadline for nominations is 19 April 🧪 www.britishecologicalsociety.org/bes-prizes/

BES prizes - British Ecological Society

Nominate remarkable ecologists and their work for our annual BES prizes.

britishecologicalsociety.org

I painted a whole year of flowers in 2025, then had a quiet month to recover, conveniently coinciding with a month of rain and mud. But it turns out that I miss the mindfulness of seeing colour in the hedgerows and putting it onto paper, so here’s a crocus to celebrate today’s sunshine. ☀️🎨🌸

A purple crocus painted in watercolour. Tentatively identified as Crocus vernus, but opinions may vary! Spring flowering anyway, currently blooming in a northern English February.

If you're looking for new volunteering opportunities, then this post is for you 👇 We are now recruiting for roles in the EDGE Network, Climate Change Group, Welsh Policy Group and Alder Network.  Keep reading to find the role that best matches your interests and experience.

Introducing the second cohort of BES Fellows 🙌  We are delighted to announce that 23 outstanding ecologists have been selected to join our prestigious membership category.  👇Meet our new Fellows here 

Announcing the second round of BES Fellows - British Ecological Society

Meet our second round of Fellows of the British Ecological Society (FBES), a new cohort of ecologists making lasting impact on the discipline.

f.mtr.cool

Yes it could be argued that keeping up with world events is important but alternatively can I interest you in hugging an ancient mossy boulder that looks like a face and quietly listening while it tells you stories from centuries cloaked in mist.

A lovely mossy boulder with a face. I walked past this venerable stone gentleman on Dartmoor when I was beginning to write my first novel, Villager, and it whispered all 104,000 words of the book to me. So now I have to pay it all of my royalties. Unfortunately my ex-publisher stopped paying me royalties last year. Understandable, the boulder was not happy. But now I have a new publisher and the book is being republished this Thursday. So remember if you purchase a copy you will be helping a boulder to eat, pay the rent on his riverside moss garden, and feed his boulder family.