Workday Topic: Plant Identification

Knowing which plants are present in native prairies and working landscapes helps us to assess biodiversity and ecosystem health, as well as evaluate current land management objective and techniques. For this stewardship day, we will spend time in the field learning some general techniques about plant identification. Then, we will apply our newly found knowledge to collecting play survey data for a research project that will help inform restoration at the preserve.

This day of learning and application will come in handy for future stewardship days which will include opportunities to collect seed for restoration projects and conduct additional plant surveys at Anderson County Prairie Preserve, other Nature Conservancy preserves, and neighboring preserves associated with the Grassland Heritage Foundation.

Our field day will be followed by a presentation and discussion about the current state of prairie restoration by KU Graduate Students and Faculty working to develop new innovative restoration techniques. Please bring a sack lunch for the presentation.

Please bring/wear:

• Water
• Closed toe shoes
• Long pants and long sleeves
• Hat or other head covering 
• Sunscreen
• Gardening/work gloves (if you have them)
• Sack lunch