Plan of Prodecures

My role in the Sandy Hook Interactive Herbarium is to collect, press, research and label all the specimen. It is my responsibility to ensure the information presented is accurate and accessible. 

Collecting

1. Determine the zone or region on Sandy Hook from which the plants will be collected. The zones include primary dune, secondary dune, thicket, freshwater wetland, maritime forest, salt marsh and submerged aquatic vegetation.
2. Write a list of plants to look for. Look at map of Sandy Hook to determine specific collection site for your chosen plants.
3. Gather all equipment necessary for collecting and pressing. The equipment includes clippers, jars, collection basket, and proper clothing gear.
4. Travel to the site on marked roads or paths only, as there are many areas of limited public access on Sandy Hook.
5. Look for plants that are in bloom and are in good condition. Select specimens that exemplify the plant and include as many flowers, berries, buds and burrs as possible. Clip a large sample of the plant.

   

   Taking GPS coordinates of the plants in the field

6. Use the Garmin GPS to mark location of the specimen. Use the iPad to take a picture of the plant. Label the coordinate on the GPS with the name of the plant collected.
7. Return to the lab to press the plants as soon as possible.

The Herbarium team adding specimen to the plant press

Pressing

1. Place the plant into the plant press on top of one layer of paper and cardboard.  Arrange the leaves so they do not overlap or obscure any special features.
   
2. Cover the specimen with another sheet of drying paper and cardboard. Repeat until the plant press is full with about 40 specimens.

1. Tighten the plant press with nylon straps. The plant press must dry for about 10 days or two weeks.

Mounting

1. Put on safety goggles and open the Riker box.
2. Remove the specimen from the plant press and place on the cotton. Keep the leaves in the same position to avoid breakage. Leave space for the label.
3. Lift the specimen and spray the glue on the underside. Press into the Riker box cotton. Pat down the specimen to ensure it is attached.
4. Allow glue to dry for one day. 

Labeling

1. Open the Riker box. Have laminated and trimmed labels ready.
2. Spray glue to the informative label and attach to the top corner of the front of the box, in the space allowed by the specimen. Repeat the process for the Common Name label on bottom corner of the front of the box.
3. Seal and replace the pins in the Riker box. Turn it over and glue the laminated label to the top left corner of the box. Ensuring this label is secure is important because it is not protected by plastic.
4. Allow glue to dry for one day.