The Value of Plant Surveys & Flora with Steve Young

TO RSVP EMAIL GREENBELTNEWS@AOL.COM

A flora is a comprehensive, detailed inventory of the plant species found in a specific region. Plants can be surveyed at multiple scales from global to local. They can focus on specific plants, like invasive species, to a comprehensive survey of all plants. During this presentation you will learn why floras are important, how the information is gathered, what people are surveying today, and how you can help. This is a Co-Sponsored event with The Bridgehampton Museum and the Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt.

Steve is a botanist who worked for 31 years as the chief botanist for the New York Natural Heritage Program where he explored natural areas all over New York state inventorying and studying its rare plants. He is a founder of the Adirondack Botanical Society, coordinator of the Adirondack Orchid Survey, and served for 30 years on the board and executive committee of the New York Flora Association where he still leads workshops and field trips. He was the coordinator of LIISMA, the Long Island Invasive Species Management Area, for six years and continues to assist iMap, the DEC invasive species program, and the statewide PRISMs, with botanical expertise. He has a bachelor’s degree in forestry from SUNY ESF and a master’s degree in plant taxonomy from the University of Florida. He continues to study New York’s flora and promote botanical science with his consulting business Botany Visible.