The Field Studies Program at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden aims to support conservation of the California native flora through field-based activities undertaken by skilled staff botanists. We participate in floristic inventories, monitor the status of rare plants and work closely with partnering institutions to develop species management guides and conservation strategies. Floristic-based research is core to the program because knowledge of the California flora is vital to ongoing conservation efforts. Staff work closely with local agencies providing expertise on the California flora (especially Southern California), and have a strong commitment to conserving California’s native plants.

The Field Studies program can provide the following services:

• Autecological studies
• Common garden studies
• Species management guides
• Floristic inventories
• Floristic surveys
• Plant identification services
• Rare plant surveys and monitoring
• Seed collecting

Currently we participate annually in contract agreements with the Angeles and San Bernardino national forests. Through these agreements we conduct general and focused botanical surveys and rare plant monitoring. RSABG has also collaborated with Angeles National Forest producing several species management guides and "A Field Guide to the Rare Plants of the Angeles National Forest."

We are proud partner with the BLM working on the Seeds of Success program. We are working to collect, conserve and develop native plant material for restoration on BLM lands in the California Desert District. Read more about Seeds of Success at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden.

For more information about field studies at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden contact Naomi Fraga, conservation botanist.