Join us for a unique opportunity to harvest native prairie seed from Muir Preserve, an Ice Age Trail Alliance-owned property in Marquette County, north of the John Muir Park Segment.

Walk through flowing grasses—big blue stem—and exuberant stands of wildflowers, picking seed from pale purple cone flower, culver’s root, wild bergamot, and more! Alliance staff and expert volunteers will be on hand to guide you through the process, ensuring you know what and where to pick. (The Alliance will also provide clippers for snipping seed heads and collection buckets or bags.)

This fun, easy, casual event allows volunteers of all ages and abilities to participate in an essential aspect of habitat restoration—seed collection.

Later, the collected seed is cleaned at the Alliance’s “Seed Shed” before it is spread, in late winter, across other Alliance-owned preserves to increase plant diversity for struggling pollinators.

Come any time between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. (open-house-style) to help with this crucial habitat improvement task.

Event Details: 

• Where: Muir Preserve, north of the John Muir Park Segment, Marquette County
• When: Thursday, September 12, 2024
• Time: Open-house-style, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Parking: N1595 Co Rd F, Montello, WI 53949. View Map.
• Terrain: Expect fairly level, but somewhat uneven terrain.

What to Bring:

• Gardening gloves
• Close-toed shoes
• Sun hat/sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Long pants, long-sleeve shirt (we will be in tall grass)
• Personal drinking water and container
• Raingear – we will work in light rain, please check the forecast