Growing Native: Join us to Collect Seeds from Native Trees

Join EcoAction Arlington to collect tree seeds to be grown for restoration projects throughout the state as part of Growing Native.

Native Seed CollectionSaturday, October 5, 2013
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Lubber Run Park, N. Columbus St & 2nd St N, Arlington, VA.

Growing Native is a regional service project designed for volunteers of all ages to collect native tree seeds. The project is coordinated by the Potomac Conservancy and takes place around the entire Potomac River watershed with sites in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania West Virginia and DC. Since Growing Native’s inception in 2001, nearly 56,000 volunteers have collected more than 164,000 pounds of acorns, walnuts, and other hardwood tree and shrub seeds.

These seeds have generated seedlings that are used to restore sensitive streamside lands. The seeds are processed by the state nurseries where foresters generate seedlings that are then transplanted to streamside forests. In addition to providing native tree stock, Growing Native emphasizes the important connection between healthy, forested lands and clean waters, and what individuals can do to protect them.

Species most typically collected in Arlington include black walnut, red oak, white oak, pin oak, willow oak, and tulip poplar. The amount of seeds collected is most affected by the natural cycles of acorn and seed productions. Some years there are very few acorns and our volunteers are competing with the squirrels to find a few dozen acorns. Other years we have collected close to 100 pounds of acorns.

Sign up today and please help spread the word and share information with others who might also be interested in volunteering.

Questions? Contact us.