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Seed Collecting at the Great Marsh
June 18, 2021 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am CDT
The Great Marsh is a unique wetland habitat that helps to slow and purify water before it enters Lake Michigan, assisted in part by the specialized plants of the marsh. As part of our continuing restoration efforts, we need your help to collect the seeds of various wetland plants.
Join Dale Nichols, long-time and multi-talented volunteer and supporter of Shirley Heinze Land Trust, to learn the first of many seeds that will be collected over the next several months in the Great Marsh. Fox Sedge, Carex stipada, is an early gramminoid (ie grass-like plant) that is an important host to native caterpillars and a food source for woodcocks, ducks and sparrows. Its seeds ready for collecting, and Dale will share key identification features of this plant, as well as best practices for collecting and handling it.
Meet him at the intersection of Beverly Drive and Constance Avenue; parking will be available on the south side of Beverly Drive.
Bring your favorite garden gloves if you have them; we’ll have extra on hand if you don’t. We will provide all the necessary equipment and gear, as well as granola bars and water, although we encourage you to bring your own reusable water bottle.
Please dress appropriately for the weather and come prepared with protective waterproof boots or hightop hiking boots, long pants & sleeves, hat, and sunscreen. There may be poison ivy, mosquitoes, and ticks, but we will have insect repellant and TecNu on hand for your protection.
So that we can best plan for the event, please RSVP by calling the office at 219-242-8558 or emailing Volunteer Coordinator Christine Maloney at cmaloney@heinzetrust.org. For information about last minute cancellations, please check Facebook.