Research

The objective of the Flora Project at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation is to preserve a specimen of every vascular plant species growing spontaneously in the park and to identify and document the ecological communities, prioritizing those of conservation concern. The collection of pressed herbarium specimens of each plant species provides a physical record available for botanical study. The project expands and improves upon the historic records of the reservation by creating an easily accessible resource for conservation efforts by providing a precise and detailed data set and scientifically verifiable records, enabling park management to identify priority plant species and communities for conservation efforts.