Naomi Fraga collecting Caulanthus inflatus

The Botanical Field Studies Program participates in floristic-based research, which is vital to the conservation of California’s native flora. California is a hotspot of plant diversity and endemism, with more than 3400 native species, of which 24% are endemic (occurring in no other state or region outside of California).  Although relatively well documented, our knowledge of California’s flora is continually growing—62 taxa have been described since The Jepson Manual was published in 1993, and 306 taxa, either newly naturalized exotics or range extensions from outside California, have been documented (Jepson Online Interchange). Through systematic floristic inventories of discrete physiographic regions we can gain a better understanding of the most fundamental aspect of studying plant diversity. 

 The Botanical Field Studies Program participates in the following projects:

• autecological studies
• common garden studies
• development of species management guides                                 
  
• floristic inventories
• general botanical surveys
• plant identification services
• rare plant monitoring
• rare plant surveys 
  

Currently we participates annually in contract agreements with the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests. Through these agreements we conduct general and focused botanical surveys, and rare plant monitoring.  RSA has also collaborated with Angeles National Forest producing several species management guides and A Field Guide to the Rare Plants of the Angeles National Forest (pdf 16mb).

Internship Opportunity
One unpaid internship is offered for undergraduate students looking to gain hands on experience in botanical field research.  Internships are available beginning in March and can continue into August, typically running 5-10 weeks. Interested students should contact Naomi Fraga for more information. 

For more information contact: 
Naomi Fraga (Botanical Field Studies Coordinator)
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