Spring to Summer: 2014

Spring has turned to summer, which is now beginning to turn toward fall. With this change of seasons in Northern Arizona come the monsoon rains, which have awakened a completely new flush of plant species that were previously invisible (once underground or growing green imperceptibly. quietly and patiently... waiting for the signal from these rains to finally release both flower and, with help from pollinators: fruit). 

I had a great spring season in West Clear Creek, making both solo trips as well as visits with friends and other talented botanists to explore this wilderness and collect new specimens. The botanists I traveled with have been teaching me much about the native plants of AZ and good tips on how to make an excellent specimen collection, notes to keep,etc. The friends who join help me improve my technical skills to safely access the more difficult reaches of this canyon. They've all made fantastic company, making field work even more enjoyable and successful. 

I made a 20 mile, 5-day trip through the majority of the main canyon (from east to west) in early summer with a small team of folks (other botanists, field biologists, and a very willing professional photographer). All were adventurous to come along! We ate like kings our first night out (spoiled by a meal of home raised beef & veggie fajitas & canned beans...a luxury on a multi-day backpacking trip), we came across artifacts from previous cultures, and explored side canyons. This trip required lots of swimming (with all of our backpacking gear and plant presses) through many deep pools, continuous encounters with poison ivy, rock hopping across the creek, and moments of rock climbing. This trip was very important for reconnaissance, giving me valuable knowledge for future collecting trips. 

I have since made more solo backpacking trips and canyoneered through a little-traveled side canyon. I've encountered new populations of an Arizona endemic plant that only grows in canyons like this one in Northern Arizona. It is found nowhere else in the world. The information provided on this rare plant will be of value to the Forest Service. I'm also exploring how to incorporate another project into my master's research to study the population genetics of this rare plant. My hope is to understand more about plant genetics and to assist in further informing federal agencies on its potential fate and help develop conservation strategies for its future management. 

So... I'm off for now to plan a long trip this coming weekend to discover what new plants have appeared during these 'second-chance' monsoon rains.