Whoa! Wisconsin Volunteers Rediscover RARE Plant Unseen For Over 100 Years!
🌿 Rare plant rediscovered in Wisconsin after 100 years! Volunteers make incredible find in the southwest part of the state. 🌸 #WisconsinPlants #RarePlantMonitoring #ConservationWins
La Crosse, Wisconsin – In an exciting turn of events, a group of dedicated volunteers from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) stumbled upon a rare plant that hasn’t been spotted in the state since 1911. George Riggin, a volunteer for the DNR’s Rare Plant Monitoring Program, and Bridget Rathman, a DNR Habitat Biologist, were the lucky duo who made this incredible discovery in the southwest part of Wisconsin.
🌿 A Botanical Breakthrough
The plant in question is the Maryland senna (Senna marilandica), a beautiful and delicate species that has managed to evade detection for over a century. This remarkable find is just one of the many highlights featured in the Rare Plant Monitoring Program’s 2023 Annual Report. According to the DNR, nearly 15% of Wisconsin’s native plant species are considered rare, which means they’re either endangered, threatened, or of special concern.
🌻 Volunteers Making a Difference
In 2023 alone, more than 50 trained volunteers from all corners of Wisconsin submitted a whopping 178 reports of rare plants. What’s even more impressive is that 31 of these populations were found in areas where they had never been documented before. Jessica Ross, the DNR Rare Plant Monitoring Program Coordinator, couldn’t help but gush about the volunteers’ dedication and passion for conservation. She said that their botanical knowledge and enthusiasm play a huge role in helping the DNR understand the state of rare plants in Wisconsin and figure out how to protect them.
🍃 A One-of-a-Kind Program
The DNR’s Rare Plant Monitoring Program has been going strong since 2013, training volunteers to check on the health and size of rare native plant populations in almost every county in the state. What sets this program apart is that it’s the biggest source of rare plant data in Wisconsin and is unmatched in the Midwest when it comes to the sheer number of surveys conducted statewide.
🌼 Become a Plant Hero
If you’re passionate about plants and want to make a difference, you might want to consider becoming a rare plant monitor yourself. Volunteers receive training in surveying techniques, like how to accurately estimate large plant populations, assess habitat conditions, and use GPS coordinates to locate and mark rare plant populations. The best part? The training is all online, so you can complete it whenever you have some free time. While you don’t need formal plant identification training, the DNR says that successful volunteers usually have some previous experience. Find out more on the website here.
🌞 A Blooming Future
The rediscovery of the Maryland senna is a shining example of the incredible work being done by Wisconsin’s plant enthusiasts and conservationists. It’s a reminder that even in our own backyards, there are still mysteries waiting to be uncovered and wonders to be found. So, the next time you’re out for a walk in nature, keep your eyes peeled – you never know what rare and beautiful plant might be hiding just around the corner! Happy travels.
🗣 Does volunteering for the Rare Plant Monitoring Program sound fun to you? We’d LOVE to hear from you in the comments section below. ⬇️
