Maricopa County Parks-Desert Defenders-Native Seed Harvest

Maricopa County Parks is hosting several native seed harvest events in April and May at several of our parks. The native seed harvested will be planted in habitat enhancement projects, invasive species removal areas, and parks impacted by wildfires. Collecting and planting local seed genotypes will help maintain the park’s biodiversity and sustainability through climate change.

Registration is required. We will meet on-site, Nature Center, for the parks with exception of the native seed garden harvest: meet at the parking lot in from of the maintenance compound. If this changes you will be notified through signup.com, hold a safety briefing (snakes, trail etiquette, and hydration), and hike out to the collecting areas (vary by the park). You will learn to identify native plants in the seed stage and we will physically remove the seed from the plants and collect it in a bucket or bag. If you have pruning tools, like clippers or tongs bring them may be useful when working with cacti. Please bring plenty of water, a snack, dress appropriately, closed-toed shoes, long pants, a hat, and sunscreen,  please bring gardening or leather gloves.

If you have large paper bags please bring them with you, we could always use more for seed storage.

These events are a lot of fun and you will meet some amazing -like-minded people!

To register, please click on the link https://signup.com/go/aapsDrs