The Exceptional Botanical Diversity of the Siskiyou Crest

BOTANICAL AREAS OF THE SISKIYOU CREST
with Suzie Savoie & Luke Ruediger of the Siskiyou Crest Coalition

The Siskiyou Crest has one of the highest concentrations of officially designated botanical areas on National Forest lands in the country. Along the ridges, slopes and canyons of the Siskiyou Crest, from Mt. Ashland to the Smith River, are 31 officially designated Botanical Areas that recognize concentrations of rare species, exceptionally rich and diverse floras, or plant communities rarely found in an undisturbed condition. These Botanical Areas form a network of biodiversity hotspots along the California-Oregon border and provide habitat connectivity between the Cascade Mountains and the Coast Range. This presentation will take you on a photographic exploration of these unique Botanical Areas and highlight many of the rare and endemic species that grow in each area. Botanical Areas have been designated with the goal of protecting and enhancing exceptional botanical values, but further protections are needed to safeguard this biodiversity into the future. Come discover this exceptional ecoregion that contains 65% of California’s native plant species.

About the presenters: Luke Ruediger and Suzie Savoie are volunteers with the Siskiyou Crest Coalition, they work on conservation issues along the border of California and Oregon, and they are co-owners of Klamath-Siskiyou Native Seeds.

Program registration includes admission to the UC Botanical Garden before collections close at 5pm. Free, donations welcome.

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