Seed Harvesting Hikes Begin Friday

Seed collection volunteers. Courtesy/PEEC

PEEC News:

Since the Las Conchas Fire, many areas of the Pajarito Plateau are in stream channel stabilization and floodplain restoration. To help in this effort, join Chick Keller to collect grass seeds and look at other interesting native plants.

These seeds will be used next spring in the post-fire restoration project along Frijoles Creek near the Visitor Center in Bandelier National Monument. This project, managed by Keystone Restoration Ecology, is part of a New Mexico River Stewardship grant to protect New Mexico’s water quality and resources.

Three seed collection hikes include:

  • Friday, Aug. 28,
  • Saturday, Sept. 12 and
  • Saturday, Oct. 10.

The hikes will be as easy to moderate and the pace will be slow as we gather seeds. Bring water, lunch, a hat, sunscreen and good walking shoes. Hikes will be in various locations around the Bandelier National Monument Visitor Center and Campground areas. Admission to the Monument is waived for participants.

To participate, meet at 8 a.m. Friday, Aug. 28 at the Juniper Campground in Bandelier National Monument. Hiking time will depend on location, but each seed collection hike will last approximately half a day. For more information about this and other PEEC programs, visit www.peecnature.org, email programs@peecnature.org or call 505.662.0460.

The Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) was founded in 2000 to serve the community of Los Alamos. It offers people of all ages a way to enrich their lives by strengthening their connections to our canyons, mesas, mountains, and skies. PEEC operates the Los Alamos Nature Center at 2600 Canyon Road, holds regular programs and events, and hosts a number of interest groups from birding to hiking to butterfly watching. PEEC activities are open to everyone; however members receive exclusive benefits such as discounts on programs and merchandise. Annual memberships start at $35. To learn more, visit www.peecnature.org.

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