[SOS-PCA] SOS Collectors' Call Notes: July 6, 2016

[Haidet, Margaret (Megan)]

Seeds of Success Collectors' Call Notes

July 6, 2016

There were 36 participants on the call.

Data Collection and Formatting

-          Most updated form (July 2015) is on the SOS website. Please use
this one.

-          It is critical to *use the correct Seed Collection Reference
number format* as we get closer to using the online data entry portal. It
is a binomial of your office code, separated by a hyphen, followed by the
sequential collection number. Please do not include any leading zeros or
the USDA Plants code in your seed collection reference number.

o   For example, AZ040-234, CA180-189, WY070-421 and NCBG-687.

-          It is critical that you *use the correct USDA PLANTS Code on
your data sheet*. This short code is used by Bend to determine the species
and should be double checked. Many USDA Plants Codes

-          *Location details *should describe the driving and hiking
directions to get back to the collection site. Please provide detailed
enough information so that someone could return to the site without GPC
coordinates.

-          *Specialist identification* is needed for each SOS collection so
that the species identification can be verified by a second person. Please
obtain this verification from a botanist or ecologist familiar with the
flora of your region.

-          *Written permission* is required for every SOS collection. If
you are collecting on Federal, State or County land, please be sure to
secure a permit for collection. If you are collecting on private land,
please be sure to obtain written permission from the landowner. It is
important to carry permits and permissions in your pack when in the field
in case law enforcement or anyone else questions the legitimacy of your
collection efforts.

Shipping Data, Photos and Seed

-          Send data to mahaidet at blm.gov when it is complete. Please send
data throughout the collection season rather than at the end of the season.
Please only send each data sheet once.

-          Photos and herbarium vouchers can be sent at the end of the
collection season.

o   Photos can be sent to mahaidet at blm.gov via email, google DRIVE or cd.

o   Please do not forget to include the transmittal notice when sending
voucher specimens to the Smithsonian National Herbarium. Please send your
specimens to:

§  Meghann Toner

§  Museum Specialist

§  U.S National Herbarium

§  Department of Botany

§  Smithsonian Institution

§  MRC 166

§  PO BOX 37012

§  Washington DC 20013-7012

§  Phone: (202) 633-0904

§  TonerM at si.edu

Clearance forms

-          If you are leveraging Seeds of Success collections to make
larger collections for research or grow out, please fill out a clearance
form and submit it to mahaidet at blm.gov. Please allow at least 30 days for
Bend to process the order, provide the FedEx shipping code, and a short
description of the intended use of the material. We will process these
requests as quickly as possible but please note, there may be others
requesting seed back at a deadline similar to yours. Collectors will be
notified if it will take more than 30 days to process your request. If
there is no rush to get the seed returned to yours or a partners office,
please put the return date as March 1st, 2017. Clearance forms that
indicate ASAP will be returned so that a concrete date can be determined.

Update from Bend

–        127 seed lots have been checked into the Extractory

–        Packaging is looking good!

–        *** Bend relies on the USDA NRCS PLANTS CODES, so please be sure
to include the correct code*

Q&A:

Is there a lower limit for seed to be submitted to SOS?

-          2500 seed is the lowest threshold of seed that will be accepted
into the SOS National Collection. Below this quantity, seed will be
returned to the original collector.

Can Bend clean non-SOS collections?

-          Yes, the cleaning of non-SOS seed lots can be paid with a credit
card from the collecting office. Please note that Bend can only clean seed
for government entities like federal, state or county agencies.

-          Pricing Structure for wild collected seed:

–        Less than 5 lbs initial weight, fee is $150

–        5-20 lbs, fee is $190

–        20-50 lbs, fee is $290

–        Contact Bend if you would like an estimate for the cleaning cost
for seed lots with more than 50 lbs.

–        There is an additional $70 for the TZ test to determine viability
of your seed

–        The collector is responsible for the full cost of cleaning for
collections where no contribution to SOS is made.

–        The national SOS program will cover the cost of cleaning for BLM
collections making a contribution to SOS with an initial weight of up to 20
lbs.

–        For seed lots containing more than 20 pounds that contribute to
SOS, collectors will pay the difference between the cost to clean 20 lbs
($190+$70) and their total bill.

-          If you are making larger operational collections, why not
leverage the SOS program by contributing 10,000 seed and contributing to
the long-term ex-situ conservation of your targeted species?

Milkweed Collections – In some areas with small asclepias populations,
obtaining collections with 10,000 can be difficult.

-          Many collectors have has success making asclepias collections
large enough for SOS. The

Bend Seed Extractory has received many lots that are at and around 10,000
seed. Milkweeds are not on their radar for having particularly low fill or
viability.

-          If this is the case, try to focus on local pollinator habitat
improvement efforts that might involve other target species

Megan Haidet
Seeds of Success
National Collection Curator
202-912-7233

www.blm.gov/sos
www.blm.gov/seedstrategy
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