As we move into spring, we seed collectors anxiously await the early germinants to make their first appearance. The eagerness starts the cycle of planning for what species we would like to see augmented in these unique mid-elevation meadows that surround the Willamette Valley. At IAE, our Habitat Restoration and Plant Materials staff pool our knowledge and expertise to formulate a target collection list for the upcoming season. We ask questions such as: what species would we like to see more of at our restoration sites? What work horse species are best for first year succession? Are these species more successfully introduced as plugs or through directly-sown seed (requiring larger quantities of seed)? Answers to these questions inform what species and how much seed we will collect each year.
Last year, IAE collected seed for 13 species from six different mid-elevation sites through the SOS program. In addition to submitting collections to the national SOS office for seed banking, we also collected seed to be used to grow plugs for outplanting at mid-elevation sites, or to establish seed amplification beds. Genetic diversity is of the utmost importance, so we make it a point to visit various sites over the course of the season in order to gather adequate representation of the populations.
