Rare Plants

This is a general interest request. Specific sites and dates will be determined based on plant phenology and volunteer availability.

Purpose (why we are doing this):

This volunteer activity is for miscellaneous, special projects that are organized by the Minnesota Biological Survey (MBS) to address special information needs.  There is no guarantee that any activities will take place during the year. If you have questions about this activity, please contact Derek Anderson (Derek.Anderson@state.mn.us).

Impact this position will have:

This is an opportunity to assist the Minnesota Biological Survey to search for and collect data on rare plant species that may be in addition to the more traditional activities that would fall under the Minnesota PlantWatch program or the Federal Plant Species Monitoring programs. Data collected under this project helps in site management actions and provides information on the status and trends of rare species in the state.

Responsibilities (duties and tasks)

Authorized work to assist with:

• Field Activities: Volunteers may work independently or as part of a crew supervised by DNR staff or experienced volunteers to search for previously documented rare plants.  This may include relocating previously described areas, flagging plants, collecting GPS spatial information and counting plants. Activities may also require driving.
• Office Activities: Volunteers may assist with the identification and determination of collected plant specimens and the processing and preparation of collected field data for entry into the state's Natural Heritage Information Systems (NHIS).

Restricted work:

The duties assigned to this volunteer position are laid out above. Tasks pertaining to other programs and projects must be agreed upon in a separate Volunteer Agreement Form.

Qualifications Desired:

Volunteer must be able to:

• walk up to 2-4 miles over uneven terrain.
• work in an organized team to systematically survey area.
• work in potentially high temperatures (heat index of 100+ F).
• cross small streams or wet areas (potentially 1-2 feet deep).

Safety Training:

Ticks are likely to be present. For information on tick-borne diseases and prevention, please visit the Minnesota Department of Health Website. 

Temperatures can vary greatly this time of year.  I have experienced swings of more than 50 degrees from day to day.  It is recommend that you use sunscreen, long sleeves, and wide-brimmed hats when working in the direct sun (e.g., prairies, wetlands). For more information on heat related stress and illness, please visit the Minnesota Department of Health Website.