Hi folks,

Mother Nature smiled upon us yesterday, as 2 grass-seed collection efforts were very successful.

In recent years, the DNR non-game folks have noticed that some previously restored grasslands seem to have fizzled a bit for unknown reasons. One theory is that the seed, which is of native species, but not from local genes, may not be as robust in Georgia's climate. Unfortunately, up until a couple years ago, there was no commercially available Georgia-origin seeds. And with the non-game budget shrinking, they did not have the man-power to collect native seeds, which is very labor-intensive.

Last year the IBA and DNR Non-game folks got together to see how it would work to ask a bunch of volunteers to come out and help. Well it was a phenomenal success! 50+ people arrived at Panola Mountain and Sprewell Bluff State Parks (Rockdale and Upson Counties)and collected 34 pounds of grass seed.

Happy with that success, we decided to try even harder this year, with 4 grass seed collection days. So yesterday 13 of us collected at Sprewell Bluff, and 6 others were at Fall Line Sandhills Natural Area (Taylor County).

The seed was dry and there was enough ripe seed to keep us all busy, and by the end of the day the 2 groups had filled a sum of about 1.5 pillow cases with seed!

We would love for all of you to jump on board and help us. There are 2 grass seed collection days left this year: next Saturday at Panola Mountain, and November 7 at Pickett's Mill State Park. No training or botanical knowledge is necessary (but much can be gained on that day, if you're interested!). Please contact me to sign up for one or both, and I'll send you the directions, etc.

You don't need to bring any sort of equipment, unless perhaps you have an old pillow case or two to donate (that's what we collect the seed in).

Some pictures of our Volunteer Conservation Day events are on the IBA website.

Cheers, Charlie Muise Georgia IBA Coordinator http://www.atlantaaudubon.org/iba/

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