PCA and Friends Host Wildflower Seed Collecting Workshop
The latest in a series of rainy weekends couldn’t dampen the spirits of those who attended PCA’s fall Get Outside workshop on September 24th. Twenty-six attendees from across the Hudson Valley, ranging from students to retirees, came together for a deep dive into native seed collection techniques in the classroom and the field.
Clara Holmes, Plant Ecologist with NYC Parks, leads an introduction to native plant species in the Robbins Rd. meadow at Bard College.
This event was a multifaceted collaboration between Partners for Climate Action, Dirty Gaia, Hudsonia Ltd., and Bard College. PCA and Dirty Gaia worked together on event production, while Hudsonia hosted the event in a Bard College classroom and meadow. The native meadow, in full fall bloom on workshop day, is managed by Bard’s Department of Horticulture under the expert eye of Amy Parella, Director of Horticulture at Bard.
Clara Holmes discussing the ins and outs of collecting wild seed to preserve native biodiversity.
After a deep dive presentation which covered the importance of native plants, key identification techniques, understanding site conditions, and seed harvesting best practices, the group moved from the classroom to the field to put their newfound knowledge to use. Native grasses like big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) offered ripe seed for collection, while still-flowering plants presented an opportunity to practice ID skills.
Fall-blooming flowers like New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novi-angliae) and Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) commonly occur together. Both asters and goldenrods are keystone species, providing food and habitat to hundreds of native insects; and both are abundant seed producers.
Demonstrating seed ripeness traits to look for when harvesting seed for propagation.
A handful of mature seedheads, including goldenrods (Solidago spp.) and tick trefoil (Desmodium spp.).
A common Eastern bumblebee (Bombus impatiens) foraging for pollen on goldenrod (Solidago spp.).
The overcast skies made the September meadow’s golds, greens and purples shine.