2 MILLION BLOSSOMS
population ever recorded since monitoring efforts began. “A beloved bumble bee endemic to southern Oregon, the and bees suffered the same fate as well.” The Private Lands Program strives to provide native
insects, birds, and other native residents. “It’s a collaborative effort between us and the landowners,” Robertson-Rojas explains. The landowners are responsible for suppressing the weeds and preparing the land, “while our role is to provide seed and technical assistance.” Her team assesses the type of plant community which
would work best for a landowner’s habitat and develops working with the landowner to see what worked, what didn't work, and how we can develop a more effective restoration action.” The Private Lands Program is a popular vehicle for residents to provide habitat for pollinators, as it provides seeds and guidance. But there’s always room for improvement. Robertson-Rojas wants to develop a stockpile of the rarer native species, so they can be included in future seed mixes. Seeds require plants. TUI has thus started collaborating
with farmers to cultivate native plants and harvest the seed. It’s not as simple as it sounds. First seed sources must be collected from the wild, taking care to remove only a few seeds from each host plant. These seeds are cleaned and planted in a 2,000-5,000 square foot weed- crop is cleaned and prepared, so it can be planted in a one acre plot the following spring. This multi-season cycle repeats again and again until there are enough seeds to start distributing. It thus takes several growing seasons to increase seed stores from wild sources.
VESPER MEADOW POLLINATOR PROJECTS
• Citizens assist scientists in inventorying the plants, butterflies, and birds. They monitor diversity and keep tabs on the rarer species such as the meadow’s namesake, the Oregon vesper sparrow, along with the Mardon skipper butterfly.
• Walk, Weed, and Seed events combine a recreational walk with stewardship. People carry paper bags and collect flower seeds for later planting in restoration areas.
• Field guides created specifically for the Vesper Meadow aid in identifying the butterflies or bumble bees buzzing through the area. Annual citizen science surveys collect data to chart the changing diversity of bee or butterfly populations.
• Art programs and displays celebrate the magnificent flora and fauna of the region and tell the story of Vesper Meadow’s restoration.
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At the present time, eight farmers are planting out the seed increases, six in the Rogue Basin and two along the coast. Robertson-Rojas admitted it's somewhat experimental. “I’m looking forward to a time when we involved in larger scale works. Exciting times are ahead!”
Restoration for the Land and Ourselves Participating in one of TUI’s restoration projects creates memories one will never forget. Visiting a place like the Vesper Meadow Restoration Preserve strengthens community ties by introducing the concept of land stewardship and reinvigorating the connection to nature. In addition to the physical work in restoring the ecosystem, the projects encourage art, citizen science, and native food cultivation programs. Jeanine Moy, program director, highlights that the goal is restoring the land back to the way it was meant to be. Vesper Meadow is a 323-acre classroom. Cattle grazing
and water diversion for irrigation disrupted the lessons taught by the land some 150 years ago. Ranchers removed trees, introduced non-native grasses, and generally made a mess of nature’s careful balance. Now that the land is in kinder, gentler hands, it can heal and start teaching us again. Moy involves the community in the land’s healing
process. From the smallest bug climbing up the stem grasslands, Moy illustrates how they are interconnected. for insects. By getting rid of non-native vegetation, replanting
willow trees along the banks of the creek, collecting seeds on the property and replanting them in areas impacted by overgrazing, Moy and her band of volunteers are slowly revitalizing the ecosystem and bringing it back into balance.
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