PHOENIX (AZFamille) — Two search dogs are about to embark on a journey to northern Arizona to help find rare and endangered plant species.

The Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden is known for its beautiful views and peaceful atmosphere, but a large part of its mission is the research and conservation of desert plants.

Circe and Muon are dogs from the botanical garden who will use their noses to help researchers.

Steve Blackwell is leading the next research trip.

“Luckily we have support from the Arizona Lottery to do this project, but we hope the dogs will help us find the endangered cacti of northern Arizona and talk about how they work.”

Blackwell said the plants they are looking for are becoming increasingly rare.

“Having the dogs helps us cover as much habitat as possible,” he said. “It’s really valuable because we can’t do everything ourselves.”

Organizers said most of the dogs came from shelters or shelters.

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