Become a citizen scientist for the Wild Leek Project

The public is invited to participate in a project to expand knowledge about wild leeks in Maine and improve opportunities for the conservation of the species.

Wild leeks (Allium tricoccum) are part of the onion family and grow in rich hardwood and floodplain forests. Also known as ramps, they are listed as a Species of Special Concern due to limited distribution and total numbers.

The Maine Wild Leek Project is a collaboration between University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Natural Areas Program.

In coming months, participating citizen scientists will receive information from UMaine Extension about wild leeks, including research on the effects of harvesting and a fact sheet about how to establish a wild leeks patch.

More information about the project, including the reporting form, is online. More information also is available from David Fuller, 778.4650, dfuller@maine.edu.