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.

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.