As many as 20 volunteers are urgently needed each weekend in March and early April to map native plants at the Foothills! Early rains have brought up native plants that are in bloom and need to be counted. Our window of opportunity to identify these native plants is closing fast. Weekend shifts are available starting 3/5 and 3/6 at 9:00am and 1:00pm.
What You’ll Need For Your Volunteer Day
It is VERY IMPORTANT to review and understand the following material for your volunteer day!
Native Plant Mapping Protocol
Survey 123 Instructions
Be sure to review the material before your scheduled date and time. This will take around a half-hour. Designate time to ensure you are prepared to map grasses and volunteer with us!
Additionally, we have also produced two videos specifically made for mapping that
you need to watch.
How To Identify Native Plants: Part 1
How To Identify Native Plants: Part 2
Please also make sure to download the ArcGIS Survey 123 App on your iPhone or Android device. To access the specific San Marcos Foothills WM Grassland Survey: https://arcg.is/0yXKPu1 - copy and paste this link into the search bar in the open app. Again, doing ALL these steps is imperative to our mission. This will help to ensure a successful volunteer day.
Sign our San Marcos Foothills Waiver - THIS IS REQUIRED
Volunteer and Learn About Native Plants
Join us to learn to identify our iconic state grass and the non-native grasses that are invading our local habit! This is a beautiful time of year to visit the Foothills and explore the local trails in the area with the community. Make sure to bring a walking pole to help distinguish different plants on the ground but don't worry, the ground is mostly flat and plant identification and training will be provided. No experience is necessary to volunteer, although plant knowledge is helpful!
A group of volunteers at the West Mesa!
The seed head of Stipa pulchra (purple needlegrass)
Why Is CIR Mapping Native Plants
As the stewards of the “West Mesa” CIR is mapping the San Marcos Foothills (recently saved from development by the community), we're conducting mapping of the vegetation (particularly Stipa pulchra or purple needlegrass) to collect data which will help us design future habitat restoration projects that will benefit the wildlife that live here. Your volunteer support will make a significant difference for the success of our future restoration projects!