Idaho Grasses

The purpose of this project is to develop a user-friendly field guide to grasses and grass-like plants in Idaho, specifically geared to those with limited background in botany. The guide will feature 60 Idaho grasses and grass-like plants, intended for K-16 educators and students, ranchers, land owners, recreationists, and nature enthusiasts, with accompanying K-12 lesson plans. In the form of both a printed book and an offline app for iPhones and Androids, the guide will include colorful photographed images and line drawings showing detailed characteristics and vegetative features of each grass, an easy-to-use dichotomous key, and information on each plant’s history, forage value, and fire resistance.

This dual resource will meet the needs of land managers making economic decisions regarding livestock production and field treatments; university students in wildlife and range sciences conducting class exercises and field research; K-12 educators during field botany excursions, teaching the use of dichotomous keys, and ecosystem studies; and recreationists engaged in nature study. Both book and app will be distributed via the University of Idaho Rangeland Center and the Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission.