Maddy Kobs

Conservation Experience: During the summer, I completed work on the remaining portion of a mobile plant identification app for Wisconsin flora. My research project included writing detailed descriptions and compiling data on the botanical characteristics of over thirteen hundred species of herbs and forbs. I also began work on the second objective of my research experience: targeted testing of the app’s accuracy to identify species in the field.

Connection to Conservation Biology: As climate and land-use changes continue to threaten Wisconsin plant communities, there is an exigence for more widespread civic engagement with the environment to facilitate conservation efforts. It was a rewarding experience to help create this educational tool to inspire meaningful connections with nature and strengthen public awareness about Wisconsin native and invasive plant species. The app may also facilitate species identification for scientists and natural resource management investigating the ecology and conservation of our state’s vegetation. Additionally, the citizen-science data collection tool provided by the app can fill pressing knowledge gaps on the effects of the threats faced by Wisconsin vegetation, ultimately paving the way towards more informed land-use practices. The data compilation portion of the project greatly enriched my understanding of and appreciation for Wisconsin flora. I was also able to unify concepts I have learned as a student of conservation biology to the implementation of research and app testing.