Thanks to all the lovely Missoulians who took to the hills and collected ~13 lbs of arrowleaf balsamroot (ABR) seeds in for restoration work on Missoula's conservation lands!

We hope to do it again next year depending on the needs of Missoula Parks and Recreation so look out for future opportunities to get involved.

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What a gorgeous wildflower season it's been. So many of us have been lucky to hike or run the trails from the Mt Jumbo saddle north and west. Stunning were the blooming balsamroots!  Wouldn't it be wonderful if more of the hills around Missoula - like the southern and western slopes of nearby Waterworks - could be so healthy and colorful?  This season we're helping our Parks & Rec. Dept collect seeds from areas of great abundance to seed areas in need. Actively sharing the bounty - some may even call it a bit of Robinhood-like wealth redistribution - seems just right during these times.

 This is a great opportunity to safely volunteer in the community on your own time and with plenty of distance from others.

KEY THINGS TO KNOW:

All collections will occur around and above the Mt. Jumbo Saddle between July 1 and ~ July 10. See guidelines below. 

Before you get started and if you haven't already, please contact Alli so we can ensure you have the information you need and we're not overcrowding the hills. 

We'd love some photos of you in seed collection action - send to Alli. And while in action, if you're approached by folks, let them know what you are doing and why, but please let them know that it is not okay for people to collect plant materials from City Open Space without permission.  THANK YOU!!

COLLECTION GUIDELINES

​1. Only collect from areas where the flowers are abundant and widespread. They shouldn't be hard to find. DO NOT collect adjacent to roads or trails.

2. Don’t remove more the 50% of the seed heads from any one plant. If plants have many seed heads missing this area was likely already collected from. 

3. Keep moving while you collect, we don’t want to deplete one area of seed.

4. Focus on south or west facing slopes now. As things dry out over the next few weeks move onto north facing slopes or treed areas where seeds mature later.

5. Don’t collect seed when it is wet. Damp is OK, remember to lay the seeds out to dry when you get home.

6. We usually use brown paper or canvas grocery bags while collecting. Store seeds in a brown paper bag after you collect them in order to help seed cure. ​

7. As you collect, crush up seed heads into your bag with your fingers. Try to avoid chunks. As seed heads dry out you might consider wearing gloves as they get pretty prickly. If we get a few days of sun there will be a glorious week where you can literally just shake seeds into your bag.

8. Once you have your seeds, contact Alli - you can drop them off at our office or at a location in the Rattlesnake. She'll give you details. 

9. If you're new to this, see images below!

WHERE TO COLLECT

A few key areas are drawn on this map.  There are also an abundance near the "Sound of Music" trail (from the top where the power lines cross, south) - note the guidelines ask you NOT pick along the trail itself. 

Be sure your grabbing flower-heads with ripe seeds - some heads will already be empty. If you're finding most seeds have already dropped, hike up in elevation!

Seeds are plentiful if you look closely

This flowerhead is empty - all the seeds already gone

When you get home, knock the seeds out and they'll look like this. Pure Black Gold!