Growing Native welcomes its 9th season of community seed collection
Calling volunteers of all ages to collect native hardwood seeds
 in Potomac River communities

Restoring the health and beauty of the Potomac River region is just a few trees away. Join in the fun and make a difference in your community this fall by volunteering with Growing Native to collect native hardwood seeds.

This program is a fantastic way for friends, neighbors, children, and coworkers to do their part in protecting the lands and water of the Potomac. Growing Native offers a variety of ways to get involved: Arrange a community seed collection event, participate in one of eight public collections throughout Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, or collect from your own backyard. 

“We make it easy to get involved; you provide the manpower and we supply everything from collection bags and labels to seed identification manuals. Our volunteers are rewarded with a wealth of valuable information regarding the ecosystem along the Potomac River. Volunteers can walk away knowing they’ve contributed to protecting the health and beauty of the Potomac River and its tributaries,” says Deanna Tricarico, Outreach Coordinator at Potomac Conservancy.

Last year, more than 4,200 people volunteered their time to collect 10,000 pounds of seeds, despite an acorn shortage. This year, Growing Native wants more volunteers to come on board. Collections open to the general public include:

•    September 12: Eidolon Nature Preserve, Berkeley Springs, WV, 10 am – 12 pm
•    September 26: Yankauer Nature Preserve, Shepherdstown, WV, 10 am – 12 pm
•    September 26: National Public Lands Day at Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship, Purcellville, VA, 9 am
•    September 27: RiverFest 2009 at Historic St. Mary’s City, St. Mary’s City, MD, 10 am – 6 pm
•    October 3: Cub Run RECenter, Chantilly, VA, 10 am – 12 pm
•    October 10: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA, 10 am – 2 pm
•    October 10:  Apple Festival at Tayamentasachta Center for Environmental Studies, Greencastle, PA, 9 am – 3 pm
•    October 10, 2009, Bear Branch Nature Center at Hashawha Environmental Center, Westminster, MD, 10 am – 12 pm

It’s time to “get nuts” for clean water.  “The success of this program comes from our corps of volunteers who return to collect seeds each year,” says Deanna Tricarico. “It’s a fun, easy way to give back to the environment, so please join the thousands of volunteers who participate and help us regenerate our Potomac forests.”

If you would like to receive more information about Growing Native and organizing your own collection event, please contact Deanna Tricarico, Outreach Coordinator, at (301) 608-1188, x204, or tricarico@potomac.org.

About Growing Native
Growing Native was started in 2001 as a project of the Potomac Watershed Partnership and is managed by Potomac Conservancy. Growing Native evolved out of a need for native hardwood seedlings to support expanding reforestation and restoration efforts in the Potomac River watershed. In addition to providing native tree stock, Growing Native builds public awareness of the important connection between healthy, forested lands and clean waters, and what individuals can do to protect them. Since Growing Native’s inception in 2001, nearly 30,000 volunteers have collected more than 94,000 pounds of acorns, walnuts, and other hardwood tree seeds. These seeds have generated seedlings that will be used to restore sensitive streamside lands.

About Potomac Conservancy
Since 1993, the Potomac Conservancy has protected the health, beauty, and enjoyment of the Potomac River and its tributaries.  Its conservation programs address the goals of improving water quality, protecting the river’s scenic integrity, enhancing recreational resources, and building an informed and engaged constituency, using a range of tools, including restoration, permanent protection, advocacy, and citizen education and engagement.



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