ROCKFORD — The June Wild Ones program will be “How to Collect and Store Seeds of Native Plants.” The online video educational program will be held Thursday, June 18 at 7 p.m.
While many of us have extra time now, maybe you have thought about growing your own wildflowers. The first step is to collect the seeds. June is the time to start collecting seeds from early blooming wildflowers, sedges and grasses. Mike Groves, natural resource manager for the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County, will present a video primer on how to ethically collect and store seeds of native wildflowers, grasses, sedges, trees, and shrubs for use in natural
landscaping projects.

Born and raised in the Winnebago area, Groves graduated in 1994 from the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point with a major in wildlife management and biology. He started working with the Forest Preserve District in the summer of 1990 in preserve maintenance and
also worked a summer at Klehm Arboretum. He was hired full time in 1994, and eventually was transferred to the Natural Resource Department.
He currently oversees natural resource work in all 43 preserves and on all 10,500 acres. His job duties include seed collection, seed cleaning, greenhouse propagation, invasive species control, tree planting, wildlife monitoring, restoring natural areas, tree removals, and managing prescribed burns. He also oversees all resource staff
and equipment.
A link to the video presentation will be sent prior to the event and posted on the chapter’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/wildonesrockrivervalley  30 minutes before the event starts.
Future programs will be presented on-line until our meeting venue reopens to the public. For information about this program or how to link to the video, contact Jerry Paulson at 815-222-4414.