Milwaukee, Wisc. — Recently, BLM Eastern States District Natural Resources Specialist Nikki Carter and Chicago Botanic Garden's Chris Woolridge kayaked the Milwaukee River to reach a BLM-managed island in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The purpose of the trip was to create a vegetation index for each species on the one hectare island.
Although the morning had started with an unexpected downpour, the sky cleared and bright patches of yellow and purple flowers appeared as they made their way to the island. Arriving on the island, it became apparent that another goal was achievable—the native collection of plant material for the Seeds of Success program. The program is a BLM initiative to collect, conserve, and grow native plant materials to stabilize, restore, and restore lands in the United States. If a seed collection were to take place that day, it would be the first time the BLM Northeastern States Regional Office had participated in the program. Carter and Woolridge would have to collect more than 10,000 seeds and enough whole plants to make herb vouchers. A herb specimen voucher is a compressed, mounted plant specimen with collection data filed for future reference. The couple happily got to work.
After completing the vegetation index, experiencing first-hand the island's robust population of nettle plants, they determined that populations of native Joe Pye weed (Eupatorium maculatum) and common sedge (Helenium autumnale) would make great contributions to the Seeds of Success program. Both plants are excellent pollinators, as indicated by the dozens of common eastern bees foraging on the fall blooms that day.
Carefully, Carter and Woolridge prepared their seed collection supplies. A large paper bag would hold the seeds, while a mechanical counter would keep track of the harvested plants. They looked at the strict guidelines that must be followed in a collection to maximize genetic diversity and minimize a potentially harmful decline in remaining seed populations. To leave a healthy population, only 20% of each plant's seeds could be harvested, but they had to collect from at least 50 plants. Armed with their supplies, the pair set off across the island. In no time, the two had bags full of seeds. A quick calculation revealed that they had collected about 250,000 Joe Pye weed and 65,000 common sneezeweed seeds. These seeds will be cleaned and stored by the Chicago Botanic Garden, available for withdrawal at a future date.
The final step was to create herb coupons to be sent with the seeds. These plant presses will include an information label and will be a valuable reference for future research. Carter and Woolridge selected the perfect specimens for pressing. This would be the first time the BLM's Northeast States Region would send work to the prestigious Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Carter and Woolridge created three vouchers for each specimen. One would be sent to the Smithsonian, another would travel with Woolridge back to the Chicago Botanic Garden, and one would remain with Carter for the District library.
The couple skillfully arranged the plant specimens between sheets of paper and cardboard in beautiful lattice wood flower presses. An ideal specimen contains every part of the plant, from the blossom to the root. Carter recounted the little flower press her grandfather made for her as a child, when she would spend hours collecting dandelions and violets. The round inflorescences of the snot proved difficult to press, but like closing an overpacked suitcase, the team successfully assembled the presses. Loading their kayaks with their supplies and loot, the group skilfully paddled down the river to the shore.
The work done that day will contribute to a national body of knowledge, providing valuable resources for wetland restoration. Seeds of Success collections are used to support the development of geographically appropriate native plant materials for research, development, germplasm conservation and ecosystem restoration. Herbaria (a systematically organized collection of dried plants) provide a comprehensive picture of the local flora.