Diario del proyecto MNSEED Native Plant Community Science Project

Fifteen people joined in on the seed saving adventure at Monarch City on August 26th. We had perfect weather and we were able to able to collect seed from 22 native species in this garden that marks the perimeter of the West Minnehaha Recreation Center's grounds. Installed over multiple years this garden is stewarded by Frogtown Green , a neighborhood volunteer driven organization and other community partners. These seeds will be available to MnSEED Native Plant Community Science Project participants later in the fall. Participants were also able to gather seed for their own gardens as well. We followed suggested guidelines like only taking 20% of the ripe seed and labeling labeling labeling.
Check out this link to the photo album from the event: https://photos.app.goo.gl/pzXFQJxsTEDaqGDXA
See you on 9/11 for the next MnSEED seed collecting event at Gibbs Farm!

Join us tomorrow at the Capitol Region Watershed District Headquarters in the Midway neighborhood to collect seed in this amazing setting! We'll meet at 5:30 to check out the many demonstration gardens that surround this climate forward building complex and collect ripe seed. We'll find plenty of little blue stem and other grasses, anise hyssop, prairie onion and others. At 6:30 there'll be an opportunity to tour the campus and see all the features that make this building and grounds resilient and climate forward featuring native plants. And for younger family members there's a fun scavenger hunt! Be sure to sign up at: https://mshs.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/mshs/event.jsp?event=432&. Free to CRWD residents and MnSEED participants. See you tomorrow!

September has brought a whirl of seed collecting activity and events to participants and more folks are joining the project learning to identify their plantings throughout the season and how to collect seed as plants are preparing for the long winter sleep.

So far in September we've collected 20+ species from 2 locations, Gibbs Farm and the Capitol Region Watershed District Headquarters, with more than 40 people joining in on the seed saving fun! Check out the album from Gibbs Farm on 9/11.(https://photos.app.goo.gl/9kPQfvQjapniSUy49) We'll be back there tomorrow during Apple Fest to demonstrate seed cleaning techniques. Hope to see you there! Thank you to everyone participating in the MnSEED Native Plant Community Science Project for adding your observations and sharing with our community! And our deepest gratitude to Capitol Region Watershed District for the partner grant that funds this work!

Check out the September-October issue of the Minnesota Conservation Volunteer, a publication of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources,(https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mcvmagazine/issues/2021/sep-oct/index.html) and you'll find an article titled "A Growing Movement" that delves into the importance of seed keeping in our region including the MnSEED Native Plant Community Science Project.
"This Year MN SEED also started the Native Plant Community Science Project, funded by a grant from the Capitol Region Watershed District, with the goal "to create a community of seed savers knowledgeable about saving seeds and sharing them." Participants increase and inventory native plants."
Thank you to writer Frank Bures, photographer Deborah Rose and the Minnesota DNR for creating such an in-depth look at the Minnesota seed sharing economy in all it's variety!

Yes the days are shortening but it's been a warm start to autumn and many native plants are setting seed a little later this year. Join us on Thursday 10/7 5-7 pm for more seed collecting and demonstrations on cleaning and preservation/storage at the CRWD complex, 595 Aldine. Saint Paul MN 55104. Thanks to Capitol Region Watershed District for generously sharing their campus with 20+ MnSEED participants and neighbors on 9/16. We collected many species that we've not found in other sites like Swamp Rose. Rachel Funk of CRWD also gave a tour of the grounds and buildings better illuminating what makes this such a specially designed system. Check out this album from the event (https://photos.app.goo.gl/EqT5MFDdVWJrVTPF9). Hope to see you on Thursday 10/7. Come early to make best use of the early evening light!