Prairie Seed Collection at Pope Farm Conservancy

The FOPFC Restoration Team is looking for volunteers to help collect prairie plant seeds at Pope Farm Conservancy. This is a rewarding opportunity for individuals to contribute to conservation efforts while enjoying the beauty of native prairie landscapes. All community members are welcome to join this collaborative endeavor and make a positive impact on our environment.

Seed collection is easy to do, and it’s an enjoyable way to spend a couple hours in nature.
No experience required. Participants will be guided on how to properly identify and collect seeds from native prairie plants.
All sessions are open to the public. Groups are welcome, too.

Fall 2024 – Exact Dates TBD

Registration will open in August.

Volunteer Info

2024 Dates / Times: TBD

Location
Pope Farm Conservancy, 7440 Old Sauk Rd, Verona, WI 53593
** We will meet in the LOWER parking lot **

What to Expect
We will be walking out into the prairies. Please wear long pants and footwear that completely cover your feet. Be sure to dress for the weather. Bring your own sunscreen, bottled water, and gloves. We will have clippers and buckets on hand.

Release/Waiver Form (REQUIRED)
All volunteers must complete and sign the waiver form. Volunteers (aged 17 and younger) must have a parent/guardian sign their waiver form, as well.  Please download the Volunteer Release/Waiver Form and bring your signed waiver with you to your seed collection session. We will have extra forms on hand. If you signed a waiver last year, you do not need to submit another one this year.

Contact
If you have questions/concerns, please contact Curt Caslava at curt@popefarmconservancy.org.

Registration
Please register in advance so that we know you’re coming, and so that we can contact you to reschedule in case of inclement weather.
Registration will open in August.

About the Prairie Restoration Project

In 2013, FOPFC started the Prairie Restoration Project to increase the diversity of prairie plant species at Pope Farm Conservancy and to improve the overall quality of our prairies. That same year, they installed a rain garden near the lower parking lot on Old Sauk Road. In 2014, they successfully re-seeded a complete prairie that was damaged by drought when it was young. Then in 2015, they created a rare 100+ species Oak Savanna under the 150 year old Burr Oak canopy. The next year, they purchased and planted native wildflowers in efforts to bring back native butterflies. Over the years, volunteers have collected, processed, and planted seed from over 35 different native prairie species at Pope Farm Conservancy.  They also have worked very hard to control invasive species in the conservancy.