Ash seed collection workshop

By CRISP, Fri, 8/22/2014 - 10:51 am

Join us! October 1st, 12:30-3:30 at the Erpf Center, home of the Catskill Center, in Arkville, NY. Native seed collection is imperative for the preservation, conservation and reclamation of plant communi-ties in decline. Faced with the loss of Ash (Fraxinus) species as a result of the Emerald Ash Borer, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Seed Bank and the USFS National Seed Lab are collecting ash seed across New York State for preservation. Collecting seed is a fast and inexpensive way to preserve germplasm. By conserving the genetic diversity of ash species before the populations are lost, we have more opportunities to adequately restore the species to the landscape once a successful biological control is found.This October 1st, we invite you to attend our Native Ash Seed Collection Workshop. The participants of this workshop will be introduced to the protocol for collecting Ash seed, learn how to identify ash species and learn about preserving genetic diversity through seed It is our hope that the information you gain from this workshop will result in your contribution of ash seed collections to both MARSB and the National Ash Con-servation Project.This workshop is your opportunity to become involved in an unique and exciting regional seed collec-tion network. We are eager to create permanent relationships with botanists and naturalists interested in native seed collection. We hope to see you October 1st!