Seed Collection Conservation Project at Rocky Flats for Children of the American Revolution

Children of the American Revolution members participated in a conservation project sponsored by Wetlands Restoration Volunteers, “WRV”.  Native seeds are a crucial part of the restoration of public lands to their natural habitat.  Invasive grasses, flowers and other plants crowd out native species which hinder the natural life cycle of our ecosystems. The seeds collected, which are locally adapted to our area, are used in re-vegetation projects.  Portions are grown out and multiplied 1000-fold.  Our seed collection work helps improve the native diversity of public land areas.

Six CAR members met at Jewel Mountain and Plainview Road in Golden and worked for three hours collecting Gayfeather (Liatris punctata) Seeds.  This dotted Gayfeather is a forage or browse species that is eaten by deer, antelope and domestic livestock.  This species taproot system is remarkably extensive; its lateral branches can spread 3- 4 feet.  The seeds we collected will be used in an re-vegetation effort at the old Rocky Flats site that formerly manufactured components for nuclear weapons.  Cleanup of chemical and radiological contamination was completed near the end of 2005.