The Preserve at Vassar

Documenting Preserve Flora in the Vassar Herbarium

Photo of a Sugar Maple branch from the southeast of fieldstation in rich woods

Professor Mark Schlessman

Knowing which species are present is key to the management of our Preserve. For plants, the best practice for documenting the presence of a species is to make herbarium specimens, which are pressed, dried and documented entire plants or portions of plants. We are continually making new herbarium specimens for new species found on the Preserve, including invasive species which we are actively removing. To date, we have over 1950 specimens representing over 600 species of plants.  Specimens are available for study online through the Vassar College Digital Library, and in Vassar College Herbarium.Please contact Preserve Manager Keri VanCamp or Herbarium Curator Meg Ronsheim for access to specimens in the Herbarium.