What is an Herbaria:
An Herbarium is a collection of preserved plant specimens used for scientific study. These sheets may be whole plants or plant parts and are mounted on a sheet of paper. These are used to reference and describe plant taxa as a much more accurate than drawings. Recently, herbaria have been used to provide DNA for taxonomy and molecular systematics. Researchers have also began to use herbaria to study how plant populations have changed over time due to climate and human impact.

What will the class entail:
This class will have two parts. The first part will be a quick class about herbaria, what they are, how they are used, and a demonstration for how to create herbarium sheets. The second part will entail the students making their own herbarium sheets using plants pre-pressed from Alcatraz gardens. Finally, there will be an optional section where people can bring their own books or other pressing materials and learn how to not-so-scientifically press plants for their own enjoyment.

Please plan to check in at Pier 33 (Alcatraz Landing) no later than 8 am to take the first ferry over to the island (map and parking link). Class will finish around Noon and participants can return to the Pier on any ferry (return ferry schedule here). Please dress for the variable weather of the island--bring water, sunscreen, and a hat.

For a map to the meeting location, click here >>