A virtual seed identification workshop can turn a seasonal collection activity into an accessible lesson in tree biology, forest restoration, and watershed…
Posts
How to Host a Virtual Seed Identification Workshop
Red and white oaks: why acorn crops vary
Acorn production differs substantially between red oaks and white oaks, even when the trees grow in the same forest and experience the same weather. The…
Growing Native and the conservation districts restoring the watershed
Healthy forests and clean streams depend on work that continues across property lines, seasons, and communities. In the Potomac River watershed, Growing Native…
How to Identify American Hornbeam Seeds in the Field
American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) is a small native hardwood found along streams, wooded slopes, floodplains, and moist forests throughout much of…
The Role of Herbivory in Restoring Riparian Zones
Riparian zones are the living margins beside rivers, streams, and wetlands. Their trees, shrubs, grasses, and herbaceous plants stabilize soil, filter runoff,…
How to estimate seed yield before a collection day
A productive seed collection day begins well before volunteers arrive with buckets and gloves. Estimating the likely seed yield helps organizers choose a…
Native Streamside Trees That Create Lasting Shade
Small streams depend on the trees that line their banks. A well-planted riparian corridor can cool shallow water, shelter fish and insects, stabilize soil, and…
Why Upstream Forests Matter to Washington D.C. Residents
Washington, D.C., sits near the mouth of a much larger ecological system. The Potomac River does not begin at the city line, and the condition of its water is…
How to Create a Seed Collection Guide for Your Community
A community seed collection guide turns seasonal observation into practical conservation work. It tells people which native trees and shrubs to look for, when…
How Native Trees Help Reduce Flood Risk
Heavy rain becomes dangerous when water reaches the ground faster than soil, streams, and drainage systems can absorb or carry it. In a watershed with few…