Seeding the Prairies

It is the time of year for seeding our prairies.In fall 2015 native grasses and forbs were sown at Herbert Farm and Natural Area, south of Corvallis. The Institute for Applied Ecology is helping partners restore a formerly farmed 37 acre field to native prairie. Last year, after two years of site preparation, native forb seed was sown on the field. This year we are sowing native grasses and more forbs to build on the previous years' efforts. A 1.5 acre wet prairie was also sown with seed of the threatened Nelson's checkermallow.

Grass seed in the seed drill hopper
Native grass seed, including California oatgrass and blue wildrye, in the drill hopper

Nate Richardson (US Fish and Wildlife Service) calibrating the seed drill
Nate Richardson (US Fish and Wildlife Service) calibrating the seed drill

US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) have been instrumental in getting the seed on the ground. Seed mixes of 18 forb species and 9 graminoids were prepared to suit either wet swales or upland habitat.

Shawn Woods (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife) mixing native forb seed
Shawn Woods (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife) mixing native forb seed, such as tall camas, farewell to spring and common madia, among other species.

Herbert Farm Seeding 2015.10.22 (21) PJM
Mike Renfrow (US Fish and Wildlife Service) checking the no-till drill

Tractor and no-till drill at Herbert Farm and Natural Area
Tractor and drill at Herbert Farm and Natural Area

Seed is dropped into small furrows created by the no-till drill
Seed is sown into small furrows created by the no-till drill

Herbert Farm and Natural Area is a 221 acre owned by the City of Corvallis, with a conservation easement held by ODFW and Bonneville Power Administration. Restoration at the site is a collaboration between several partners, including ODFW's Willamette Wildlife Mitigation Program, USFWS Partners for Wildlife Program and the City. IAE has been restoring a range of habitats on an 80 acre portion of the property with grants from ODFW and Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board.
Many thanks to our partners for contributions to the project.