EcoHeroes: ‘Plants of Concern’ recruits “citizen scientists” to help save rare plant life

EcoHeroes: ‘Plants of Concern’ recruits “citizen scientists” to help save rare plant life
EcoHeroes: ‘Plants of Concern’ recruits “citizen scientists” to help save rare plant life

EcoHeroes: ‘Plants of Concern’ recruits “citizen scientists” to help save rare plant life

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It’s time for our EcoHeroes segment, when we feature a person who goes above and beyond for the environment. When botanist Susanne Masi became deeply concerned about species of plant life forever vanishing from our region, she came up with the idea to form a “citizen science program.” As a result, “Plants of Concern” (POC) was born. POC is made up of volunteers dedicated to keeping a close eye on our local rare plant life. Thirteen years later, POC unties more than 700 “citizen scientists” in annually monitoring and protecting hundreds of rare plant species. Susanne’s idea has evolved into a national model for plant conservation. (Photo: Courtesy of Plants of Concern)