1. A Tale of a Thistle One park’s conservation efforts for a rare species

3. Whitefish Dunes State Park

4. Pitcher’s Thistle Federally listed in 1973 Threatened Lake Michigan, Huron and Superior Sand Dune Environment

5. Plant History

6. Beginning Counts First count in 1989 Jim Hale Ginny Haen Volunteer counters Beach Closed Whitefish Bay Counts

7. Current Count Began in 2001 Dara Olson – Biology Intern Compiled past data Created signage Established count days

8. Dividing the Dunes Lake front dune system broken into three sections Each area broken into smaller parts or sections Drawing of each smaller segments with tally sheet on back Old Baldy counted separately

9. Section Drawing Sheets

10. Recording Sheet Size Class Blossom /Adult More than 4 leaves 4 or less leaves /seedlings Date: Names of Counters:

11. Size Classifications Three size classes Identify growth rates over time

12. Baby Size Class 4 or less leaves Seedling

13. Young Adult/Teen Size Class More than 4 leaves Rosette

14. Adults Size Class Blossom present Standing dead

15. Count Day

16. Finding Thistles

17. Nursery Colony

18. Old Baldy Count

19. Protection

20. Results over Time

21. Data Share compatible data Notice trends Monitor sudden changes Establish a data base record Increase conservation efforts Provide numbers

22. Creating your own count Bring in the experts Excite park visitors and local residents Provide long term numbers & data Show conservation efforts Create Protectors!

23. Volunteers Clear instructions Be flexible Age Offer food Advertise statewide

24. The End