Native Seed Collection

Nerd out on native plants while exploring how Oxbow’s nursery grows resilient, genetically diverse species from seed.
About this Event

You’re invited to look beyond flowers and foliage and into the hidden world of biodiversity, adaptation, and resilience carried inside every seed. Oxbow Native Plant Nursery Technician and team-anointed “Seed Czar” Jessica Speer is as much of an expert in seed protocols as she is at demystifying concepts and making learning accessible and fun.

Jess will guide you from a seed harvest walk into the behind-the-scenes workings of Oxbow’s Nursery, where you’ll observe how seeds move from harvest to propagation through hands-on demonstrations, close observation, and shared discussion. Along the way, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the role seed-grown plants play in supporting healthier, more resilient landscapes and gather inspiration for your own garden and stewardship work.

YOU'LL EXPERIENCE:

• Seed Harvesting: Learn how to identify ripeness, collect seed responsibly, and follow best practices that protect long-term plant populations and ecosystem health.
• Processing Techniques: Practice wet-processing, float-testing, winnowing, screening, and other seed-cleaning methods used within Oxbow’s Native Plant Nursery.
• Seed Dormancy: Explore ways seeds survive and germinate in the wild and see the techniques Oxbow uses to break dormancy, including scarification, stratification, and wildfire-inspired cues.
• Genetic Resilience: Discover why growing native plants from seed supports biodiversity, climate resilience, and healthier plant communities.

ABOUT YOUR FACILITATOR

Jessica Speer (she/her) is an Oxbow Native Plant Nursery Technician with a deep love for seeds, propagation, and the fascinating processes that support healthy native plant communities. She combines an impressive depth of knowledge and curiosity with an approachable, playful teaching style that makes seed science engaging, accessible, and fun.

GRANT-SUPPORTED PRICING

We’re excited to offer this workshop at just $5, thanks to generous funding from 4Culture’s Doors Open grant! This experience is valued at $75, but the grant helps us make it accessible to more of our community.

We’re deeply grateful for this support, which allows us to connect more people with outdoor learning experiences.

All participants must register in advance—spaces are limited!