This course is part of a series to help you recognise and understand grassland plant communities of acid, neutral and calcareous soils.

Book your place here.

This course covers neutral grassland and is delivered in 2 parts – 1, a recording to watch in advance that will introduce neutral grasslands and; 2, an in-person training session looking at neutral grasslands in the field. These will cover:

• An introduction to neutral grasslands 

• Geology and soils 

• Broad geographic distribution  

• Habitat descriptions and definitions 

• Identification of key indicator species for neutral grasslands 

• Neutral grassland plant communities and what they can tells us about the land  

About the Tutor

This session will be run by Sam Braine. Sam is an ecologist and field botanist, with nine years’ of professional consultancy experience. Sam leads Plantlife’s Biodiversity Consultancy. He is accredited to FISC Level 5 in vascular plant identification and is passionate about sharing botanical knowledge.  

• Understand what defines neutral grasslands 

• Be able to identify key indicator species for neutral grasslands, including grasses, sedges and rushes 

• Be able to recognise different types of neutral grasslands 

• Understand the conditions and landscape context of neutral grasslands 

• People who survey, assess and manage grasslands.  

• Participants should have some basic botanical identification skills. 

Location

The in-person session will be delivered at Blakehill Farm, Malmesbury Road, Wiltshire, SN6 6RA; What3Words: ///captive.drape.hazel 

Parking instructions will be supplied with the booking. Parking is free

Dates and Timings

The in-person session will be delivered on 20th May 2026, 10:00-15:30.  

The introductory recording will be sent out to candidates two weeks prior. 

Book your place here.