| Abstract Detail
Demand for Botanists on Public Lands: Challenges and Solutions Byrne, Mary K. [1]. Seeds of Success, a National Native Seed Collection Program Built on Partnerships, In Need of Botanists. In 2001 Seeds of Success (SOS), the wildland native seed collection branch of the interagency Native Plant Materials Development Program, began collecting seed for conservation and restoration. Since then SOS has made over 5,000 native seed collections, and has expanded from a handful of collecting teams to over 40. The seed collected is used for immediate restoration, research, and development. At the base of this coordinated effort is a variety of federal and non-federal partnerships that enable the SOS teams to get on the ground and collecting seed. Annually SOS has approximately 300 people working in a range of capacities on the project, all utilizing botanical knowledge. Recent genetic research is showing that in order to develop a native species into a geographically appropriate crop, approximately 20 populations of that species needs to be sampled from across its range. With over 700 species identified restoration priorities for development, the demand for seed collectors, horticulturists, geneticist, restoration ecologists, and agronomists with working botanical knowledge is going to continue to increase. It is especially vital that the seed collectors have existing botanical skills before getting into the field once the season begins. As SOS and the need for native plant materials continues to grow so will the need for seed collectors with botanical knowledge. Log in to add this item to your schedule
Related Links: Seeds of Success
1 - Seeds of Success, Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW, LSB204, Washington, DC, DC, 20240, USA
Keywords: Seeds of Success seed banking Plant conservation Partnerships Bureau of Land Management Plant Conservation Alliance botanical education.
Presentation Type: Symposium or Colloquium Presentation Session: S12 Location: 182/I K Barber Date: Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 Time: 9:20 AM Number: S12002 Abstract ID:600 |