2021 was a jam-packed and prolific year of rare plant conservation for both Rare Care volunteers and staff. Safety remained a top concern, with care given to evolving COVID-19 protocols, and the wildfire season affecting access to many east side locations. Despite the extra challenges, we successfully completed research fieldwork and rare plant monitoring assignments, and added new collections to the seed vault.
Read more »
The next time you treat yourself to a walk through the inviting grounds of UW Botanic Gardens, take a moment to appreciate that the flowers and trees play an important role in scientific research–with implications for plants and research institutions all over the world. “We get requests for plant materials from researchers and institutions about 10 times a year,” reports Raymond J.
Read more »
The UW Botanic Gardens, in conjunction with the University of Washington Herbarium at the Burke Museum, hosted another successful symposium that brought together professionals, academics, and botanists from around the Pacific Northwest to share knowledge and celebrate Washington State’s flora. The full day event was coordinated by a diverse group including Washington Noxious Weed Control Board, Washington Native Plant Society, Seattle Public Utilities, Washington Natural Heritage Program, US Forest Service, and Washington Bureau of Land Management.
Read more »Rare Care, along with faculty and graduate students at the University of Washington’s School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, wrapped up a multi-year study on the federally-endangered showy stickseed (Hackelia venusta). The study was funded by the US Fish and Wildlife Service to support recovery efforts for the species by developing a better understanding of its habitat requirements and by improving propagation techniques.
Read more »