BECOME A COMMUNITY SCIENTIST— HELP US PLANT NATIVE SEEDS & MONITOR THEIR SUCCESS
The Wild Seed Initiative will educate on and provide native plant seeds for community science participants and service groups in Park County. Seeds will be purchased as locally as possible or collected from wild plants in the area. Residents can pick up seeds at PCEC hosted events and service groups can request seeds for community led weed removal or re-seeding projects for public trail maintenance.
READY TO GET STARTED? Follow the steps below.
Get your seeds from the Wild Seed Initiative and sign up to be a community scientist.
Click to view WSI Instruction Guide PDF. Pick up seed packets at PCEC events, farmers markets, native plant sale, or come by our office at the Lincoln School, Room 305.
Download the CitSci App. on your Apple or Android phone and search for “The Wild Seed Initiative” to begin your observations.
Steps to MonitoRing your SEEDS:
(1) Get you free WSI seeds from PCEC!
*View the species list of seeds we are testing this year.
(2) Plant your seeds: Start observations (Part 1) on the CitSci App, recording your planting location and site description.
*Prepare your site by clearing undesired plants and loosening the soil and water regularly until deep roots are established.
(3) Learn to ID your seedlings and flowers: Once your plants are identifiable you can start your next observations.
*Locate the WSI Plant Identification Guide or use the Picture this App for Apple or Android devices.
(4) Monitor for success: Track seedling success to help us design specialized seed mixes for Park County (Part 2).
Need larger amounts of seeds for projects on public lands or community spaces? Contact Bethany Allen, PCEC’s Wild Habitat Director, to find out more.
TOGETHER WE CAN PROMOTE AND PROTECT THE WILDNESS OF PARK COUNTY.
Native plants are essential for a healthy ecosystem, providing food and shelter for wildlife, resilient to drought and wildfire, and necessary for native pollinators. Unfortunately, many native plant communities have been degraded or destroyed by human activity making the spread of invasive plant species a greater concern. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
The Wild Seed Initiative has several goals:
To monitor seed planting efficacy, and to enhance re-seeding efforts
To restore native plant communities in Park County
To increase biodiversity and wildlife habitat
To protect water quality and prevent erosion
To decrease the presence of noxious and invasive species
To educate the public about the value of native plants
Why are native plants at risk?
Montana currently has more than 100 plant species categorized as "Species of Concern" due to habitat loss & various threats like:
invasive species
conversion of grasslands
changes in climate & extreme weather events
urban sprawl & land fragmentation
harmful resource management
These factors have resulted in a notable decrease of Montana's native plant species. This only emphasizes the need to safeguard and revive these wild spaces.