What?

The Intermountain Botanical Foray is a yearly bioblitz bringing together botanists to explore the flora of an interesting ecosystem in the intermountain region. Each year we go to a new location for a long weekend over the summer. We document the biodiversity we see using the citizen science platform iNaturalist—see our project page here [https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/intermountain-botanical-foray]---and make specimen collections for the herbarium.

By participating in a Foray you will contribute to our understanding of the intermountain region’s amazing botanical diversity, provide important research materials for the next generation of botanists, learn from local experts, and, most importantly, nerd-out with a team of fellow botanical enthusiasts!

Who?

The Foray is organized by the Intermountain Herbarium. We coordinate the location and dates (a long weekend), provide equipment (for specimen collection and processing), and handle logistics such as permitting. Participants are responsible for their own food, transportation, and sleep setup (bedding etc.). Each day Foray participants split into teams to explore specific sites, and we gather each evening for presentations, identification sessions, and to press our specimens. 

Botanists of all kinds are encouraged to participate - whether you are just getting interested in plants or have many years of experience botanizing; whether you are a professional or hobby botanist. No connection to USU is necessary.

When?

The Foray is scheduled in the summer (after USU’s Spring Semester), but we choose the dates each year based on the peak times for the flora of that year’s location.

Stay informed

Please email the Associate Curator to join the email list for information about the Foray.

Past Forays

2024: Wildflowers on the Wasatch Plateau

2023: The Sphaeralcea Spectacle