Plant ID in the Field – 2024 WAIT LIST

REGISTRATION IS NOW FULL AND A WAIT LIST HAS BEEN CREATED.  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 Johnson Ranch can be found on our website here.

Advance registration required, $35 (waivers available upon request, if needed). REGISTRATION IS NOW FULL BUT IF YOU REGISTER YOU WILL BE PUT ON A WAITLIST AND NOTIFIED IF SPACE BECOMES AVAILABLE.

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).

We will meet at the preserve information sign near the parking lot: From San Luis Obispo, take Highway 101 south to exit 198 for Higuera Street. At the bottom of a horseshoe bend in the off ramp, take Ontario Road a short distance north and turn left into a parking area for Johnson Ranch.

Contact with any questions: kmnelsonDOTnativeplantsATgmailDOTcom or denagrosATgmail.com