PlantWatch Observer of the Month

Name: Vivian Demuth Hometown: Grande Prairie, Alberta Favourite PlantWatch species: White Dryad Favourite area to observe: Alpine areas Observation years: Joined PlantWatch in 1994. Vivian has been working as a fire lookout in Alberta for 14 years. Number of observations: 86 Number of species: 6 - Bearberry, Dandelion, Twinflower, Labrador Tea, Common Yarrow, White Dryad Vivian began volunteering as a PlantWatch observer while working as a forestry fire lookout, which she has been doing for 14 years. She was already watching the forest for fires and making weather observations, and it seemed natural to her to start documenting plant blooms. Vivian, who has a B.Sc. degree in biology, has also worked as a park ranger and an environmental educator. She collects plants from the wild and from her firetower garden, and makes her own herbal teas, salves, and remedies.. While going to art school in Vancouver, Vivian's interest in plants led her to participate on the board of the Canadian Herb Society and the Vancouver Mycological Society. Also, as a child, Vivian benefited from growing up near a forested area and a bog in Ontario. She has fond memories of exploring the plant life in these relatively wild areas. In addition, Vivian is a poet and fiction writer whose first novel, Eyes of the Forest, has just been published by Smoky Peace Press in Alberta. Eyes of the Forest is set among a community of forestry fire lookouts, tree planters, and oil workers during an unusually dry, fire-filled summer. The main character in the novel searches for the plant, artemesia, because according to European folklore it protects one's home from lightning. For more information about Eyes of the Forest, please visit www.smokypeacepress.com. With her science background, Vivian enjoys volunteering with the PlantWatch program because it enables her to make a small contribution to scientific research. Volunteering as an observer also helps her keep in tune with changes in the local bio-community. Last summer was hot and dry in northwestern Alberta and most plants bloomed several weeks early. Vivian is curious to see what this season's bloom dates will be in the Nose Mountain area, southwest of Grande Prairie. after a winter of heavy snowfall and the late arrival of spring weather. A BIG thank you to all PlantWatch observers, both in Alberta and across Canada! From Elisabeth Beaubien - Provincial Coordinator for Alberta - and the entire PlantWatch gang!