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Abstract Detail



Recent Topics Posters

Pickering, Danner [1], McCarthy, Mirabai [2].

Promoting Botanical Literacy in a Mountain Community.

The Whitefish Trail system in NW Montana offers an extensive network of multipurpose, non-motorized trails that are utilized throughout the year for educational and recreational activities. This network encompasses approximately 40 miles of trails that meander though a range of protected forested habitats where wildlife is frequently encountered. Numerous educational programs are offered along the trails, including guided hikes to observe the diverse flora and fauna, nature photography, and a forest explorer’s youth camp. All programs are lead by volunteers and members the Whitefish Legacy Partners (WLP), a non-profit organization affiliated with the trail system. Despite the dynamic educational opportunities and recreational popularity of the Whitefish Trails, a reliable guide to aid in plant identification is unavailable for this highly used area. The goal of this project was to conduct a floristics survey of the Whitefish Trails, and create a plant guide that will serve as an educational resource that is easy to use and freely available to visitors and recreationists of the Whitefish community. As part of a guided research project, all forty miles of trails were extensively surveyed by an undergraduate student and mentor. Plants were identified and photographed, and vouchered specimens deposited in the herbarium at Flathead Valley Community College. In partnership, Flathead Valley Community College and the WLP will produce plant field guides that will be available to the public. Our hope is to engage people in plant identification, promote botanical literacy and interest, and provide a resource that can be used as an outreach tool to promote conservation awareness throughout the community.  


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1 - Flathead Valley Community College, Biology, 777 Grandview Dr., Kalispell, MT, 59901, USA
2 - Flathead Valley Community College, Biology, 777 Grandview Dr., Kalispell, MT, 59901

Keywords:
outreach
botanical education
floristic survey
community education.

Presentation Type: Recent Topics Poster
Session: P, Recent Topics Posters
Location: Exhibit Hall/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Monday, August 1st, 2016
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PRT011
Abstract ID:1179
Candidate for Awards:None


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