Native Seed Collection for Pollinators

Date: Saturday, August 23 (9:30 - 3:00)

Location: meet at the Mt. Adams Ranger Station in Tout Lake, WA

Description: Help us create habitat for pollinators near Mt. Adams! Insect pollinators like bees, moths, and butterflies survive on nectar and pollen collected from wildflowers and shrubs. Healthy plant communities support healthy pollinator communities and vice versa. For several years, CFC has been working with the Forest Service to improve plant and pollinator communities in an area known as the Triple Burn. This area has experienced several wildfires in short succession.

We need your help to collect seeds and berries from native plants and shrubs. These will be cleaned and prepared for direct seeding later this fall or they will be grown out in a nursery for planting next year. Our efforts will help plant community recover more quickly in the burned area and provide more support for pollinators.

Work Conditions: We will be walking along forest roads and through relatively open areas to collect seeds and berries from a variety of plants. Navigating over obstacles like downed logs or slash may be required. The collection sites are very exposed so please be prepared to work in full sun for the entire day.

Gear: Lightweight pants and long sleeves are recommended. Please bring appropriate layers for the weather, sturdy hiking shoes or boots, sun protection, insect repellant, enough food and water for the day, and a daypack to carry your gear in the field. You may find a trekking pole or walking stick useful for navigating through the collection areas away from road.

CFC will provide all of the supplies needed for collection.

Transportation and Vehicle Access: Please contact us at trips@cascadeforest.org if transportation is a barrier to participation. We can arrange carpools if necessary. We will meet at the Mt. Adams Ranger Station which is accessible via paved highways. From there we will travel to our collection sites which will require driving on unpaved forest roads for several miles.