Help Collect and Clean Native Seeds
Many of the plants and trees within Stark Parks are in their seed stage, which means it’s time to collect and clean these seeds. All are welcome to join for the seed collection or cleaning, and volunteering requires no previous knowledge or experience. A Stark Parks staff member will be at each event to demonstrate proper harvesting techniques.
The purpose of the native seed collection is to harvest seeds from beneficial native wildflowers and trees that are already established around several of the Stark Parks. Collecting these seeds helps to spread seed to other areas in the future, and helps to expand select plant species which provide habitats and food for native wildlife and essential pollinators.
Once the trees or flowers produce seeds, they are collected by hand and stored in breathable paper bags. After the collection process is completed the cleaning process begins. For flowers, this is done by removing the flower seeds from the seed pods or flower heads, then separating the seed from the chaff. The flower seeds are stored in a labeled paper bag until it’s time to spread them. Most tree nuts are cleaned on the spot at the time of collection, which is done by peeling off the husk or removing the cap, then collecting the seed. Tree nuts are also stored in a labeled paper bag until it’s time to spread them.
To volunteer for one or more of the collection and cleaning events, register below!
Native Seed Collections
Oct. 6, 6 p.m. Fry Family Park-Shelter Parking Lot
Oct. 12, 1 p.m., Quail Hollow Park-Carriage House
Oct. 18, 6 p.m., Molly Stark Park-Celebration Garden
Oct. 24, 1 p.m., Wildlife Conservation Center, Sippo Lake Park
Oct. 30, 6 p.m., Petros Lake Park-Woodland Shelter
Seed Cleanings will be held in the Exploration Gateway at Sippo Lake Park Science Lab on the following dates:
Nov. 1 & 7, 2023
11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Nov. 17 & 21, 2023
12:30 and 2 p.m.
Posted on September 28, 2023 within Events, News, Parks, Volunteers
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