Detection dogs are useful for population estimates of native rare plants, early detection of invasives, and assisting in weed removal crews to find hard-to-find individuals. Because detection dogs use scent, they often find young, hidden, or damaged plants that visual searches by volunteers overlook.

Firsthand field experience shows that dogs are able to ignore native species while detecting nonnative species within the same genera. Our handlers are also trained in plant ID and conduct visual searches while handling the dog.