Enjoying the Outdoors at Platte River Prairies
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In a recent visit to a local preserve, guests were treated to an insightful exploration of habitat restoration strategies. The event, led by Preserve Manager Cody Miller and Land Steward Rohit Balay, featured a native seed harvest and provided an overview of the organisation's approach to restoring the property's plant diversity.
The day began with a behind-the-scenes look at the work being done to increase plant diversity on the property. Participants learned about the organisation's emphasis on collecting seeds broadly across plant populations to capture genetic diversity, instead of limiting collection to small restricted areas. This method helps preserve rare genes and genetic variation crucial for resilient plant populations.
Sarah Bailey of the Prairie Plans Resource Institute led catch-and-release studies of prairie invertebrates, providing a deeper understanding of the ecosystem's biodiversity. Director of Science and Stewardship Chris Helzer led a hike focusing on prairie management and ecology, offering valuable insights into the preservation of the region's unique ecosystem.
Key elements of the organisation's approach include sampling from a wide area to capture up to 200% more rare genetic material, collecting seeds from an optimal number of maternal plants per population, and using strategic, data-driven collection techniques to reduce bias and enhance restoration success. The strategy also incorporates traditional Indigenous gardening and land tending knowledge alongside scientific practices to support native plant habitat restoration.
Collected seeds are stored in conservation seed banks following science-based principles to maintain genetic integrity for future reintroductions, augmentations, and ex situ conservation efforts. The organisation acknowledges the need for flexible strategies as climate change and habitat fragmentation affect plant populations and their adaptive ranges, using locally adapted seed sources where possible.
The restoration strategy combines careful, tailored seed collection designed to maximize genetic diversity and adaptability of plant populations with practical propagation and planting efforts to support ecosystem recovery.
The day concluded with an exercise in plant identification and sketching, guided by Hubbard Fellow Noelle Schumann. The event offered a unique opportunity for the community to learn about the organisation's habitat restoration efforts and get involved in preserving the local ecosystem.
[1] Organisation's Habitat Restoration Strategy [2] Indigenous Knowledge and Land Stewardship [3] Seed Banking and Genetic Diversity [4] Climate Change Adaptation Strategies
- To ensure the success of their lifestyle, the organisation combines Indigenous knowledge and land stewardship with scientific practices, focusing on broad seed collection to preserve genetic diversity and help resilient plant populations thrive.
- As part of their education-and-self-development initiatives, guests were provided with practical insights into the organisation's habitat restoration efforts, learned about seed banking techniques, and practiced plant identification skills to support in preserving the local ecosystem.
