From the Ground Up: Small Crew Makes Big Impact

From the Ground Up: Small Crew Makes Big Impact

Oct 28, 2024

The BLM's native seed program took a leap forward this summer thanks in part to the efforts of a small crew with an adventurous spirit and desire to contribute to conservation.

Wendy Velman, BLM Montana/Dakotas botanist; Dan McLendon (ACE National Restoration Specialist); Hannah McDonnell (ACE crew member); Sarah Majewski (ACE crew member); Tate Louprette (ACE crew member); Willow Culbertson (ACE crew leader); Eric Puetz (BLM Billings Field Office botanist). Photo by Ann Boucher/BLM

The team of four works for the American Conservation Experience (ACE), which partners with the BLM and other federal, state and local agencies and nonprofits to provide opportunities for young adults while accomplishing needed conservation projects.

ACE crew member Tate Louprette collects goldenrod seed at Dover Park in Billings, Montana. Photo by Ann Boucher/BLM

In this case, the project was collecting seeds from common native species that are important for restoration projects. This seed collection is part of a much larger, long-term effort to develop a reliable and adequate supply of native species for restoration projects across the nation.

ACE crew member Hannah McDonnell collects goldenrod seed at Dover Park in Billings, Montana. Photo by Ann Boucher/BLM

Successful rehabilitation after large-scale disturbances such as wildland fire requires large quantities of native seeds and plants. Unfortunately, the supply has not been developed to meet the demand.

The National Seed Strategy was established in 2015 to help solve this problem. Written by the Plant Conservation Alliance Federal Committee in cooperation with 17 federal and more than 400 non-federal partners, the strategy seeks to provide more coordination and a framework for building an adequate supply of native seeds. Its vision is "The right seed in the right place at the right time."

Gathering native goldenrod seeds is the first step toward developing a sustainable and reliable source of native seeds and plants for restoration projects. Photo by Ann Boucher/BLM

The ACE crew's contribution to this effort was significant… during their nine weeks in Montana they collected seeds from 12 different species of native plants. Of these twelve species, three were full operational collections.

"A 'full collection' is the amount of seed needed for a grower to take it into production," said Wendy Velman, botanist for the BLM Montana/Dakotas. "Depending on the species, that might be two pounds of seed, or it might be 20 pounds of seed collected from the wild."

This small handful of plant material contains hundreds of goldenrod seeds. Photo by Ann Boucher/BLM

Collecting seed is time-consuming and labor intensive. Not only do the sources have to be located, but the timing is critical as well. The ACE crew covered hundreds of miles so they could target specific areas when a particular species was ready for collection.

Collection is just the first phase of the process toward a stable, consistent and adequate source of material for restoration projects across the United States. According to the National Seed Strategy website, "Success is being achieved through the establishment of nationwide networks of seed collectors, researchers to develop seed, farmers to grow native seed, nurseries and seed storage facilities to supply adequate quantities of appropriate seed, and restoration ecologists who know how to put the right seed in the right place at the right time."

For more information:

National Seed Strategy: https://www.blm.gov/programs/natural-resources/native-plant-communities/national-seed-strategy

BLM Native Seed and Plant Material Development: https://www.blm.gov/programs/natural-resources/native-plant-communities/native-seed-and-plant-material-development

Seeds of Success: https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/program_nativeplants_collection_quick%20links_SOS%20Handout.pdf