Our intended purpose for this visit is to collect individual leaf samples and stems for herbarium specimens and DNA extraction. Samples will be taken from 10-15 individual plants easily accessible and exposed to human interaction, i.e. along trails, throughout the site. Leaves will be picked individually from stems using pruning shears to make heading cuts just above a node to stimulate regrowth from existing bud. Herbarium specimens will be shorter than 14 inches in length and taken from sites where maintenance and upkeep would occur otherwise so as to avoid damage to plant community. Individual leaves will be stored in envelopes and herbarium presses before leaving the site. Trees will be be tagged and numbered using GPS, and notes will be taken to describe individual plant, location and surrounding community. These sampling methods will not damage the plant in any significant fashion.

Approved