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This collection is only for Common Milkweed seeds in Washtenaw County from now until November 20th, 2023.
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How to collect and drop-off your milkweed seeds:
1. Before you harvest common milkweed pods, make sure that they are brown or gray in color and that the center seam pops with gentle pressure. Green pods indicate the seeds inside are not mature yet. 2. Once your pods are ready, leave intact and place your pods in a paper bag or envelope. Please do not put in a plastic bag. 3. Mark your paper bag or envelope with the zip code of the site the milkweed seed was collected. 3. Bring them to our office (WCCD Office, 705 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor, MI, 48103) and drop them in the blue bin (shown in the image to the left) outside our front lobby door. After collection, the seeds will be cleaned by Seeds to Community and then donated to Washtenaw County Parks to use in their preserves. Thank you to all our amazing community members who participate in the Milkweed Seed Collection with Washtenaw County Conservation District! |
Questions? Please contact our Outreach Coordinator, Dru Mark-Wilson, by calling 734.302.8715 or emailing dru@washtenawcd.org
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Our milkweed seed collection will support local efforts with their seed collection and cleaning program. If you would like to volunteer and learn to clean seed, please stay tuned for upcoming opportunities.
Why collect Milkweed? Common milkweed is the priority native species to support the Monarch butterfly. Unfortunately, their population is declining toward extinction. Loss of habitat in the summer breeding grounds is another factor that could be contributing to the decline in monarch numbers. We are losing 6,000 acres of potential monarch/pollinator habitat a day in the United Stated due to development (2.2 million acres per year). There is no doubt that our landscapes are becoming more fragmented and that there is less and less habitat for monarchs, pollinators and the wildlife that share the same habitat. This trend will surely continue…unless we step up and do something about it. |
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