From humble beginnings in a North London Flat to today's multiple offices and 50 plus staff, the ups and downs are charted here in two accounts of the last 40 years.

Martyn Davies, long standing council member, gives his personal take on the colourful history of Butterfly Conservation.

Lester Cowling, senior publicity officer, has written this fascinating series for Butterfly magazine, charting the most memorable events in the organisation's history.

• The first 20 years
• 1988 - 2008