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Sagebrush Seed Collection near Spiva Butte
November 13, 2021 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Date: Sat, 11/13/2021
Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Location: Spiva Butte
Chelan-Douglas Land Trust and Conservation Northwest invite you to join a Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, work party to help collect big sagebrush seeds. We welcome families and volunteers of all ages and abilities, who will enjoy spending a day in the sagebrush grasslands of rural NE Douglas County where it is usually windy and cold. The location is 1-1/2 hour drive from Wenatchee, 2-1/2 hours from Spokane, and 1-1/2 hour drive from Winthrop. We will meet at 10am (detailed location directions will be provided) and conclude at 2pm.
Our goal is to collect seedheads to use to replant big sagebrush on CDLT’s Spiva Butte Nature Preserve where the 2020 Pearl Hill Wildfire killed all sagebrush. Greater Sagegrouse, Sage Thrashers, and many other native wildlife depend upon sagebrush for food and habitat. Our goal is to quickly re-seed this shrub on the 1300-acre preserve. Part of the seeds will be used in nurseries to grow seedlings. Most will be used in late fall, distributed by a field crew who will fling seedheads within the preserve to simulate natural wind-blown dispersal. CDLT conducted a pilot flinging project in 2020 and the positive results show the effectiveness of this novel method.
Parking is along a well-maintained county gravel road. Volunteers will walk cross country on uneven flat ground for up to 1-mile. Volunteers will be within sight of parked vehicles, so extra clothes, food, and water can be left in vehicles for easy access. Volunteers will use hand clippers or scissors to cut seedheads and place them into a lightweight bag, tucked into a belt.
Everyone’s safety is our top priority at these events. Please read CDLT’s COVID Safety Protocol and do not attend the event if you are feeling unwell. Remember to bring a face mask to wear when you’re around other people, work gloves, hand sanitizer, water, snacks, layers of clothing appropriate for the task & weather on site, close-toed shoes. We’ll supply some sweet treats and raffle off 4 gas cards.
Please RSVP by filling out the form so we can provide you with details for the work party as the date approaches.
*All work parties are weather and conditions dependent. Canceled work parties will be rescheduled if possible.
If you have questions, please contact Susan Ballinger (susan@cdlandtrust.org) or Keith Watson (keith@conservationnw.org).
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