Plant ID in the Field – NEW LOCATION

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY REGISTERED, THE LOCATION HAS CHANGED TO LAGUNA LAKE PARK AND NATURAL RESERVE IN THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO – meet near the restrooms. REGISTRATION IS FULL but contact dkincmbriaATaolDOTcom for one possible final last minute spot. Local botanists Kristen Nelson and Dena Grossenbacher will lead a field workshop to help biologists improve their plant keying skills. We will use the meadows at Johnson Ranch Open Space in the City of San Luis Obispo as our classroom. Participants will key plants in the field to family, genus, and species using the new edition of the Flora of San Luis Obispo County, California (FSLOC) by Dr. David Keil.

The workshop will be outdoors, hiking up to 1 mile, sitting on uneven terrain, and will be cancelled or postponed if the forecast calls for more than a few sprinkles. Participants should bring a hand lens (10x recommended), field notebook, and the Flora of San Luis Obispo County (hardback or e-version); loaner copies will be available. Bring water, snacks, hat, sturdy shoes, and dress in layers for changing weather. A plant list for Laguna Lake can be found on our website here.

Advance registration required, $35 (waivers available upon request, if needed).

This is an intermediate-level workshop – working knowledges of plant terminology and dichotomous keys are pre-requisites. Participants who have not had a field botany class or equivalent experience or need to brush up should: review an illustrated glossary such as Plant Identification Terminology by J. G. Harris and M. W. Harris, read pages 34-54 in the FSLOC, watch basic botany videos (e.g., Botany for Beginners by Michigan Nature Association or University and Jepson Herbaria Mini-workshop #3), and practice using a dichotomous key (e.g., use FSLOC before the class to key out some species that you know or can confirm).

New meeting location is Laguna Lake Park; if you have any questions, contact : kmnelsonDOTnativeplantsATgmailDOTcom or denagrosATgmail.com