Welcome to our ongoing effort to catalog citizen science and other public participation in scientific research (PPSR) projects for UC California Naturalists and other citizen scientists. We invite you to browse the listed projects or enter key words (like birds, youth, invasive, coast, Alameda, etc.) in the search box above to find projects in your area. It's a great way to stay involved and keep developing your skills as a natural scientist!
A vast majority of the information in the database was gathered from project websites and may be out of date. We encourage you to contact projects directly to get involved and learn about most recent opportunities. If you work with a listed project and would like to add to, update, or correct the information we have, please email cghdixon@ucdavis.edu. Also, please consider filling out the "PPSR perspectives" survey. Click here to access the survey, which will help guide this project in the coming year.
If you know of a project not on our list, please go to the "tell us about a project" link on the left so we can list the project here. Thanks for your help!
Special thanks goes to the National Science Foundation Informal Science Education program and the Stephen J. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation for supporting this database of projects.
Rare Plant Treasure Hunt
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Organization NameCalifornia Native Plant Society
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Project Website
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Organization Website
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PartnersN / A
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Contact NameDanny Slakey
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Contact Emaildslakey@cnps.org
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Contact PhoneN / A
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Other Contact Information
Sign up for the mailing list to be notified of upcoming events by sending an email to treasurehunt@cnps.org
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Project Purpose (taken from project materials)
Gather up-to-date information on many of our state’s rare plants, while engaging chapter members and other volunteers in rare plant conservation
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Participant Activities
Volunteers are teamed with experienced botanists to search for documented populations of rare plants that have not been revisited in 20 years or more. Volunteers often find new populations during these searches. The trip are day hikes or 1-3 day trips, often including camping in remote areas. There is plenty of hiking, use of GPS units, and data that needs to be collected regarding the size and condition of the rare plant population. Trips occur all over California. Experienced volunteers may lead trips of their own.
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Data Entry
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Data Sheets
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Other Participant Activities
Volunteers can learn how to plan their own trips by attending training events; those who already have some botanical experience can start leading their own trips.
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System Studied
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Plants
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Geographic ScopeStatewide
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RegionAll (see 'geographic scope')
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LocationTrips occur all over California.
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Location - MapCNPS, 2707 K Street, Sacramento, CA 95816-5113
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Time Commitment
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Specific dates (see Other Information below)
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Volunteer QualificationsN / A
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Volunteer Training
Online volunteer manual.
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Cost to Participant
No cost to participate. Sturdy hiking boots, a good hat and water are needed. Handlenses and cameras will increase enjoyment of the volunteer.
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How will the findings be used?
Project provides valuable data to the CNPS Rare Plant Program and the Department of Fish and Game;
Data is also used to create a map of more than 32,000 rare plant occurrences across the state. -
Other Information
A calendar of events can be found at http://www.cnps.org/cnps/rareplants/treasurehunt/calendar.php
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PhotoN / A
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last update:N / A
If you work with this project and would like to add to or update the information below, please email cghdixon@ucdavis.edu.
If you know of a project not on our list, please go to the "tell us about a project" link on the left so we can list the project here. Thanks for your help!
This database is focused on projects in California focused on the environment. For opportunities outside California, as well as national projects that don't have a California-specific components, check http://www.birds.cornell.edu/citscitoolkit/projects.