Seed Collection Stories 2023:

Arizona Forest Service Crew

by Parker Davis and Ashlee Wolf

The Institute for Applied Ecology hired and coordinated a seed collection crew based out of Phoenix, AZ, tasked with collecting seed from August through November on U.S. Forest Service (USFS) lands encompassing the Arizona-New Mexico Mountains ecoregion. This remotely managed crew, including Parker Davis (Crew Lead),  Zoë Jorden (Crew Technician), and occasionally Casey Hensen (AZ Conservation Technician) was based at the Tonto National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Phoenix, AZ. In total, the crew completed 31 seed collections from 14 native plant species. The crew also created 61 scouting points of collectible populations that can be visited by future crews, as well as helped with seed harvesting at Fieldhouse Farms. 

The crew primarily focused on collecting higher priority species. They made 17 collections of priority 1 species, including Bahia dissecta, Penstemon barbatus, Ipomopsis aggregata, and Bouteloua curtipendula. Most species were relatively straightforward to collect. One of the most challenging species was Ipomopsis aggregata. On each stem, mature seed would be packed in with all different phenologies: flowers, immature seed, and post-dispersal pods. The mature seeds were simultaneously easy to accidentally knock onto the ground while also being stubborn and sticky when trying to shake into a collection bag. It was time-consuming to individually pick through and get as many mature seeds manually and also resulted in a lot of chaff in the bag. Harvesting in production could prove to be difficult. 

We enjoyed exploring the great state of Arizona. Workman Creek in the Sierra Anchas, Red Mountain, and Sycamore Point were scenic highlights. We were fortunate to avoid any flat tires or any extensive rain. The Wilderness First Aid training was a unique learning opportunity. There were many delicious meals, including sautéd Lobster mushrooms foraged near Kendrick Peak and Zoë’s family-recipe chili. The end of the season brought freezing camp mornings that hastened our departure from above-the-rim sites despite the possibility for continued collections. Campfires were a necessary and cozy addition to late-October nights.

Overall, we were pleased with what we were able to accomplish in a short amount of time. Learning the life histories and getting attuned to the phenology of so many species was a new experience for us. Assisting with the harvesting in production fields and learning about future restoration projects gave us a gratifying wide-angled view of the work we accomplished. We wish the seeds the best of luck.