April 13, 2005
Wanted Rare Plant Monitors with the Arboretum
Here is an extremely interesting opportunity for Master Naturalists to participate in field monitoring seven rare (not necessarily endangered) plant species. You will be taught some background biology and field techniques. This research opportunity is courtesy the Arboretum at Flagstaff, sent to us by Sheila Murray:
"I would like to invite you to attend an upcoming workshop on Rare Plant Monitoring, to be held here in Flagstaff. This is a great opportunity to learn more about techniques used to help rare plants, and to become part of the process!"
The Arboretum was recently awarded a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant. The main goals are to provide training workshops to Arizona Native Plant Society members, Arizona Master Naturalists, Arb volunteers, and others who would like to volunteer for plant inventories and monitoring. The focus this year is to set up monitoring plots on seven threatened and sensitive plants in Arizona that may be incurring effects from long-term drought.
Our first workshop will be held Monday, April 18th, and Tuesday, April 19th, from 9am to 5pm each day (please pack a lunch). Our first day in the field to set up monitoring plots will most likely occur this same week, either the 20th or 21st (times to be announced on Monday).
Topics to be covered in the workshops are:
--How plant conservation is different from animal conservation.
--Various legislation relevant to plant conservation and what agencies do.
--Rarity in plants
--Species concepts, taxonomic issues
--Threats to plants
--Population evaluation
--Demography, population viability
--Seed collecting and storage techniques and guidelines
--Specific information on each of the 7 species
The workshop is free, and trainees should anticipate assisting in some field monitoring during the summer and fall.
Please contact Sheila.Murray@nau.edu if you are interested in attending, and feel free to forward this message to anyone else who might be interested in learning more about this opportunity to help rare plants.
Sheila Murray
Research Assistant
The Arboretum at Flagstaff
(928) 774-1442 ex 112
"The mission of The Arboretum at Flagstaff is to increase the understanding, appreciation, and conservation of plants and plant communities native to the Colorado Plateau."