The Understory Initiative

While Southwest Oregon Hosts Many Rare and Endemic Plant Species, Most of These Species Do Not Have Well Established Population Trends or Habitat Quality Data. the Goal of This Project Is to Establish Baseline Monitoring Data for Rare Plant Populations in the Medford District. This Will Lead to Habitat Threat Assessments That Will Inform Future Management Actions Such as Noxious Weed Treatments, Restorative Thinning, Prescribed Burning, Out Planting Augmentation, and or Climate Change Mitigation.this Project Will Be Implemented Through the Understory Initiatives Rare Plant Monitoring Network of Southwestern Oregon, Which Includes a Growing Number of Volunteer Plant Enthusiasts Who Want to Be Involved in Informing the Management of Rare Plants and Their Habitats. It Will Provide an Opportunity for Community Members Who Value Public Lands and the Species They Host to Visit Rare Plant Sites, Meaningfully Contribute to Data Collection, and Engage With the Gathering of Science That Will Inform Conservation Actions Such as Prescribed Burning, Restorative Thinning, and Weed Treatments.