Wednesday, October 14, 2009

SEED COLLECTION *Turin Paw Paw Woods*

Turin Paw Paw Woods was a parcel of farm land donated by Jim Sheldon to the Nature Conservancy Canada in 2005. Since restoration in 2005 the prairie habitat has flourished and is now a beautiful, beneficial corridor in Chatham-Kent.

Keeping in mind to only take around 10% of the total crop to sustain wildlife, a considerable amount of Prairie seed was collected yesterday with the help from the Wallaceburg Community Living, and the CKSS Environmental Club. While collecting we explored the habitat at Turin Paw Paw Woods and discussed the principle of species succession. The students learned to identify grasses and forbs such as Indian grass, and Grey Headed Cone flower. It was a perfect fall day to be out, partly cloudy, and not too cool. I will be collecting at this site on Mondays and Tuesdays for another couple of weeks. Participation is welcome.

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John McGregor Secondary School preparing trays to plant seeds

John McGregor Secondary School preparing trays to plant seeds

WDSS testing Black Cherry seeds to grow in the municipal greenhouse

WDSS testing Black Cherry seeds to grow in the municipal greenhouse

CKSS Life Skills planting black-eyed susan seeds at the municipal greenhouse

CKSS Life Skills planting black-eyed susan seeds at the municipal greenhouse

Tecumseh Public School tested Hackberry seed quality and planted American Sycamore seeds

Tecumseh Public School tested Hackberry seed quality and planted American Sycamore seeds

Chatham #4 Scout troop participates in a seeding event at the municipal greenhouse

Chatham #4 Scout troop participates in a seeding event at the municipal greenhouse
scouts were educated about the importance of our program, learned how to test seed quality, and planted native tree seeds to help out with the environment

Finished product

Finished product
The cold-frame boxes are covered in leaf litter to help insulate the seeds from the cold throughout the winter and mimic a natural environment

Riverview Central School collects tallgrass prairie seed at Branton Cundick Park

Riverview Central School collects tallgrass prairie seed at Branton Cundick Park
The students were very excited to be helping nature by collecting seeds that they planted in tray the following week.

Students from Ridgetown High School collect tallgrass prairie seed at Turin Paw Paw

Students from Ridgetown High School collect tallgrass prairie seed at Turin Paw Paw

Planting Prairie Plugs at the Merlin Conservation Area with Merlin Area Public School

Planting Prairie Plugs at the Merlin Conservation Area with Merlin Area Public School

Big Blue Stem has a characteristic 'turkey foot' seed head

Big Blue Stem has a characteristic 'turkey foot' seed head

Ursuline College students plant and mulch native White Oak trees.

Ursuline College students plant and mulch native White Oak trees.

CKSS Environmental Club tree seed collection at O'Neil's Nature Preserve in Chatham

CKSS Environmental Club tree seed collection at O'Neil's Nature Preserve in Chatham

LKCS Students plant trees at the Dresden Cemetery

LKCS Students plant trees at the Dresden Cemetery

Making It Happen Program gives a hand

Making It Happen Program gives a hand

Ursuline College Students collecting seed under an American Sycamore tree

Ursuline College Students collecting seed under an American Sycamore tree