Plants of Concern - A Citizen Science Rare Plant Monitoring Program

Plants of Concern engages citizen scientists to monitor the Chicago Wilderness region’s rarest plants, assess trends in their populations, and provide important data used to conserve our rapidly declining floral heritage.


Plants of Concern is coordinated by the Chicago Botanic Garden, having strong partnerships with local, state, federal and non-profit agencies.

Currently, this project is funded through a grant program supported by the USDA Forest Service Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry, and the US Fish & Wildlife Service, in support of Chicago Wilderness. USFWS and USFS grants of federal monies are administered by the Illinois Conservation Foundation & Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie – USDA Forest Service.

In the past, It has been funded by Chicago Wilderness, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (Wildlife Preservation Fund and Conservation 2000), National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, and CorLands (Corporation for Open Lands).