Take a walk on the wild side and volunteer to harvest native, rare seed. Orland Grassland Volunteers collect, then separate seed from chaff, then distribute seed into key places within the grassland.
Meet up for adults only is every Wednesday and Saturday, 9 to 12. Minors over 8 may participate if part of a sponsored group. Since the activity is off the beaten path, it requires steady footing. Be dressed for the weather with sturdy shoes and socks that cover the ankles. Tools and guidance provided.
At ~1,000 acres, Orland Grassland Land and Water Reserve, IBA, FPCC, is a local, rolling tallgrass prairie gem consisting of upland and swale, ponds and creeks and bur oak savanna. Volunteers collect seed that includes compass plant, round-headed bush clover, prairie dropseed, rattlesnake master, side oats gramma, prairie coreopsis and many more.
OGVs meet up at various places around the site so an RSVP is required at ptihys@yahoo.com or 708-220-9596. Follow the Orland Grassland Volunteers at http://www.orlandgrassland.org or on Facebook.