Hi Everyone,
The goal of this inquiry is to research other seed permitting and origination policies to establish BTN's origination policy with reference to other authorities, specialists and experts. Currently we base our collection practice on the 10% rule, with voucher specimen on the 1 in 20 rule, and seed origination for our restoration sites within OC. However as we all know seed base/genetics do not recognize political boundaries, as a result I wish to establish a mile limiter or associated flyway limiter to sourcing seed or plant stock for specific sites. During a few past meetings such references were distributed through The Nature Conservancy at their locations, State Parks with Dave Prior, and through Earthworks with Margot Griswold.
When researching for the Butterfly Habitat we installed at the UNBIC, I used only species documented through specimen vouchers in herbaria within Newport Bay and adjacent wetlands (San Joaquin Marsh, Bolsa Chica, Crystal Cove and Seal Beach) as they would have had transference between wetlands via waterfowl etc. The oldest specimen voucher found was from 1855, Quercus agrifolia in a Barranca on the west side of the Bay. We then sourced seed from S&S that had been collected no farther than 15 miles inland, or had been collected at one of the aforementioned wetlands. Doin this type of research is long and tedious, but I believe necessary to be true to the area instead of using only books or site monitoring that may not reflect modern introduction of 'native' species that may not have been found in that area before introduction by a well meaning gardener. In this manner we believe we can recapture historic plant community profiles while being true to the existing conditions of the site.
This practice has been questioned recently since many seed sources are from a greater distance away than 15 miles, or fall outside the political boundary of OC and the land owner believes we may be missing out on that species by setting this policy. To support this we wish to reference other organizational and agency policies on seed origination, plant stock origination(original seed source) and collection practice on site. Understandably they are anxious for a cheaper price on seed stock and plant stock, however BTN does not wish to pay a cheaper price if we are inadvertently harming the area we are trying to restore!
Any help with this would be most appreciated. Our final policy will be shared with all on this listing of course.
Yours in service,
Reginald I. Durant
Director of Restoration
Back to Natives Restoration, a 501(c)(3) non profit public charity
8 Cherry South
Irvine, CA 92612
949-509-4787
www.backtonatives.org'Saving Habitat One Person at a Time'
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