WHAT: Volunteers are sent out in groups to work together on rapid site assessments of grasslands, forests, wetlands, and aquatic habitats throughout the spring, summer and fall (an expected time commitment of four hours per site).

Volunteers must first attend a training where you learn how you can help identify high-quality natural areas for protection as part of the Bioreserve Project.  Participants will gain broadly applicable skills in ecological assessment. Please bring a sack lunch. The workshop includes hands-on practice outdoors, so please come prepared for weather and mud.

WHO: All volunteers are welcome, but if you are experienced in plant identification, we especially need your help! Every team will need at least one “expert” (someone who has some experience with identifying plants). If you have had a plant identification class, or have become familiar with wildflowers, grasses, and trees over time spent hiking this beautiful watershed, we’d love your help! “Experts” do not need to attend the training; all other volunteers do.

WHERE: Training is held at the Matthei Botanical Gardens. And then, volunteers use the  Volunteer Page to sign up to go to natural areas throughout the Huron Watershed throughout the field season.

WHEN: Training session:

Rapid Field Assessment Training

Saturday, May 7, 2011

10 am – 3pm

Matthaei Botanical Gardens

Ann Arbor, MI

2011 Field season: May – October 2011.

MORE INFO: Contact Kris at kolsson@hrwc.org or 734-769-5123 x 607.

NEXT STEP:

First time volunteering with HRWC?  Please fill out the basic information form (be sure to check “assess natural areas”) and the registration form.

If you have volunteered with HRWC on other projects, you only need to fill out the registration form.

HRWC’s Online Plant Guide to help volunteers identify plants on field assessments