Plants of Concern: Citizen Scientists Monitoring Rare Plants in the Chicago Region

Despite being highly urbanized, the greater Chicago region contains high quality natural areas that support rare plant species. Land managers need rare species data for management planning but are often unable to collect this... [ view full abstract ]

Despite being highly urbanized, the greater Chicago region contains high quality natural areas that support rare plant species. Land managers need rare species data for management planning but are often unable to collect this data on the scale at which it is needed. To address these needs, Plants of Concern was founded in 2001. This citizen science-based, regional rare plant monitoring program has engaged over 700 volunteers to monitor more than 200 species across northeastern Illinois, northwestern Indiana, and southeastern Wisconsin. Partnerships with 115 federal, state, and local landowners, local volunteer groups, and NGOs have been critical to the success and scope of the program. A standardized monitoring protocol, approved by an Advisory Group of land managers, scientists and volunteers, is used consistently throughout the region and makes comparisons across property lines possible. Data collected tracks changes in plant populations in response to management over time, a critical piece of an adaptive management process. This data is stored in a centralized database that volunteers and land managers have access to through a secure, password-protected website. Results reported to land managers alert them to potential threats to populations, highlight beneficial practices, and aid in the creation of management plans. POC program structure and scope will be presented along with examples of direct benefits to rare plant populations through manager responses to POC reports, emerging trends from this long-term dataset, and results from research conducted in partnership with scientists and students. Research topics have included investigations of population genetic structure and relationships between rare plant population dynamics and land management. Finally, the presentation describes challenges encountered but emphasizes how trained citizen science involvement contributes reliable scientific data, leverages scarce agency resources and creates a constituency for conservation policy.