Prairie Seed Harvest

About this Project

In fall 2018, we partnered with Pottawattamie County Conservation and Iowa Prairie Network on two events for native prairie seed harvest. In 2019, with support from Gilchrist Foundation, we expanded these efforts throughout the Loess Hills, and in 2020 we are expanding even more.

We are working with local partners to find volunteers for the project. Volunteers will visit local prairie remnants and learn how to identify which plants are available for seed collection. The hand-collected seed will then be used for local prairie restoration and reconstruction projects.

We will host several events in fall 2020 throughout western Iowa and will be looking for volunteers. Volunteers can come to as many or as few as they can.

Some of the seed we harvest will be used for educational workshops about propagating native plants in fall-winter. Learn more about those classes here.

We will have a native plant sale in spring 2021--click here for details.

If you are interested in volunteering, fill out this form to receive updates.

Click here to learn how to plant your own prairie garden with our seed packets!

View the Loess Hills plants database here.

Download a printable brochure about the project.

Upcoming Events

Pasque Flower Seed Harvest
Loess Hills State Forest - Pisgah Unit
Wednesday, May 12
6:30-8:00pm
204 Jaguar Ave.
Pisgah, IA 51564

Join Golden Hills at Loess Hills State Forest for the first Prairie Seed Harvest of 2021! Pasque flower, the earliest spring ephemeral wildflower to bloom, currently has ripe seed. All seed collected will be donated to Iowa DNR for their Loess Hills prairie restoration projects.

Parking will be at the old farmstead on the east side of Pisgah just off Jaguar Ave.

Dress for the weather. We will be hiking up a hill on uneven terrain. Insect repellent recommended. We will practice social distancing and remain outdoors for the duration of the event.

Free & open to the public. No registration required and no experience necessary.

Direct any questions to lance@goldenhillscd.org.

Project Goals

We have several goals for harvesting prairie seed*:

Provide local conservation agencies (county conservation boards, Iowa DNR, land trusts) with local ecotype prairie seed for their larger-scale prairie restoration and reconstruction projects.
Make native seed mixes to package and distribute locally.
Propagate native plants to sell for local gardens, yards and smaller-scale landscape projects.
Establish seed plots to increase efficiency of seed production and harvest in future years.
Create a seed bank to ensure long-term storage and viability of many diverse native species.

*please note that any seed picked on Iowa DNR (state) lands cannot be taken off-site and must be donated to DNR. All of our seed harvesting will be done with permission from landowners/managers and only used as permitted.