DNR Rare Plant Monitoring Program Volunteer Training Opportunities

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking volunteers for the Wisconsin Rare Plant Monitoring Program, a community-based science program that allows plant enthusiasts to conduct surveys for rare plants around the state.

Volunteers collect information to help assess rare plant population trends for both state and national conservation efforts. The volunteer program is Wisconsin's largest source of rare plant data.

“Our volunteers come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Whether you have botanical knowledge, a commitment to conservation or are just passionate about plants, this is a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors while making a difference,” said Jessica Ross, Wisconsin DNR Rare Plant Monitoring Program coordinator. “Volunteer efforts play a significant role in helping us understand the state of rare plants in Wisconsin and inform how we might conserve them.”

Since 2013, Rare Plant Monitoring Program volunteers have checked on the health and size of rare native plant populations in nearly every county in the state. In 2025, nearly 100 trained volunteers from around the state submitted 427 reports of rare plants, including 74 new populations.

Become A Rare Plant Monitor

Rare Plant Monitoring Program volunteers are trained in surveying techniques, including how to accurately estimate large plant populations, assess habitat conditions and use GPS coordinates to locate and mark rare plant populations. Although formal plant identification training isn’t required or included, successful volunteers often have previous experience.

In-person training for the Rare Plant Monitoring Program will be offered at three different locations this May and June. See below for more details and to register for a training session.

A virtual training option is also available at all times through the DNR's Rare Plant Monitoring Program Volunteer Training webpage.

2025 Rare Plant Monitoring Program Highlights

Last year, volunteers again added to the DNR's knowledge of the rare plants distributed across the state and uncovered some special findings. A few highlights include: 

• Wilcox’s panic grass, a state species of special concern, not seen in Wisconsin since 1970 expanded from one known plant, discovered in 2020, to 180 this year.
• A new population of Earleaf foxglove, a globally vulnerable plant, was discovered by a volunteer, only the third known occurrence in the state.
• After being named the plant of the year, volunteers contributed 39 reports on rare milkweed helping us better understand the status of the five endangered, threatened or special concern native milkweed species.

More information on program accomplishments is available in the 2025 Rare Plant Monitoring Program annual report.