Ecology as a key player in engaging a generation of community plant scientists

Community science engages diverse audiences in the scientific pursuit and, in doing so, makes meaningful contributions to the goals of influencing science and society, core to the Decadal Vision. By engaging non-scientists, these programs provide rich experiences with science and nature, bridging the divide between science and society. In addition, participants expand the breadth and scope of data collected to address pressing challenges from the population to ecosystem scale. Two programs hosted by the Chicago Botanic Garden represent successful examples of how community science programs can build capacity, plant awareness and scientific literacy through work in the plant sciences.