Local Trainings & Other Programs » Budding Botanists : Spring Stewards
Join our Budding Botanist Program
Our Budding Botanist Program is part of the Plant Atlas of Arizona Project (PAPAZ), a partnership of the Arizona Native Plant Society (AZNPS), Grand Canyon Trust, Desert Botanical Garden, U.S. Forest Service, Northern Arizona University, and Museum of Northern Arizona. Budding Botanists are AZNPS volunteers without formal training in biology or botany who have attended an official training session and who collect specimens for the PAPAZ. Since 2008, we have trained nearly 100 volunteers. When you become a Budding Botanist, you get to...
- Learn about basic plant identification and collection, Arizona floristics, data collection, and herbarium specimen mounting
- Work alongside regional botanists to learn hands-on
- Network with others who are interested in botany and natural history
- Purchase field equipment at cost
You also enjoy the benefits an AZNPS membership.
Background and Goals for the Project
The goal of PAPAZ is to document Arizona’s plant diversity. Botanists-in-training learn plant identification, collection, and documentation skills in field and classroom settings from regional experts. In turn, they bring high-level technical skills to assist with vegetation monitoring and documentation. This win-win situation gives volunteers an opportunity to hone a valuable skill set while we increase our capacity to implement higher-level projects.
Please note that we will not be training new Budding Botanists in 2010. Instead, we are shifting our energy to complete more fieldwork and hone the skills of our existing volunteer community so we can continue characterizing the flora at each project site. Contact us if you would like to be placed on an email list and be contacted when the 2011 training is scheduled.
To learn more about PAPAZ project areas, click here.
Your Commitment
If you decide to become a Budding Botanist, you must:
- Attend one mandatory training
- Read and follow the instructions provided
- Adopt at least one project area or volunteer trip
- Become a member of the AZNPS
- Represent AZNPS and partner organizations responsibly
- Help mount dried and pressed plant specimens
- Conduct yourself safely and responsibly when doing field work
- Track your hours on the project
About the Trips
There are lots of opportunities to get in the field! Choose from day trips around Flagstaff, Verde Valley or Prescott; or multi-day trips to the Kaibab Plateau, Kanab Creek, and House Rock Valley. You may occasionally be required to perform strenuous physical activity if you participate in plant collecting. Visit the Trip Schedule for dates and links to detailed information about each trip. Before applying, please read our FAQs. We look forward to seeing you!
