The establishment of the Blodwen Lloyd Binns (BLB)
Bequest in 1991 and the transformative impact of its first
20 years on the development of Glasgow Natural
History Society have previously been reported. This
paper describes the following decade, up to 2022. BLB’s
requests, including publication of a biography of John
Scouler and floras of Renfrewshire and Lanarkshire
have been carried out. Sadly, Peter Macpherson, author
of the Lanarkshire flora, died before publication of his
book. The overall capital value of the Bequest has been
maintained, and supplemented in the last decade by
additional legacies and donations. The income generated
has been used to fund a wide variety of natural history
projects: publication of The Glasgow Naturalist and
several books, a BLB prize and lecture series, the
organisation of several conferences, bursaries to help
young scientists learn identification and recording skills,
and funding of a wealth of public engagement and
research work, including student expeditions and tools
to help communities appreciate local biodiversity.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic curtailed some work
normally funded by the Bequest, the lack of funding
applications allowed strengthening of the Bequest’s
capital through re-investment. The future positive
impact of the Bequest on the Society’s activities looks
secure.
