Looking to learn more about wild plants and contribute to conservation at the same time? The Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland (BSBI) is running the 100 Plants in 2026 Challenge – a friendly, year‑long activity designed especially for beginners who want to build confidence with plant identification.
The challenge invites participants to identify and record their first 100 wild plant species during 2026. Whether you are completely new to botany or just starting to look more closely at the plants around you, it offers a gentle and supportive way to learn. There’s no pressure to be an expert – it’s all about noticing plants, learning as you go, and recording what you find.
Why take part?
Plants are often overlooked, yet they form the foundation of our landscapes and ecosystems. Learning to identify plants can transform everyday walks, revealing familiar places in a whole new way. By recording what you find, you are also contributing valuable data that helps build a clearer picture of how plant distributions are changing across Britain and Ireland.
Support for beginners
To help people taking part, BSBI is providing a range of beginner‑friendly support, including webinars and online resources covering:
- how to get started with plant identification
- useful (and not‑so‑useful) equipment
- using field guides, apps and online tools
- how to submit plant records using iRecord.
Participants can also access guidance and recorded material online, making it easy to learn at their own pace.
Getting started
If you’ve ever wanted to learn plant identification but didn’t know where to begin, the 100 Plants in 2026 Challenge is an ideal starting point. Plants must be seen growing in the wild, and records are submitted using iRecord, helping ensure observations contribute to national recording efforts.