[SOS-PCA] SOS Call Notes March 3

[Prescott, Leah J]

Hi everyone,

Thanks to all who called in. Please see notes below from the Tuesday call. Please let me know if you have any questions. I'm looking forward to another great collecting season!

BLM Move updates:

  *   Peggy’s last day in DC will be March 13th. Starting in April she will be based in Boise ID.
  *   Austen & Eileen’s last days will be at the end of March. I’ve sent the job announcements over the listserv, please apply via the CBG website https://www.chicagobotanic.org/jobs
  *   As for my position, I will not be moving to Boise. I’ll be finishing up the spring trainings and working to onboard the new folks. Please see the SOS Curator job description on CBG website. We are looking to fill this position in July. Please pass along these opportunities to colleagues. Feel free to reach out to me with questions.
  *   Otherwise, everything will be business as usual. Please continue to contact me for SOS related things, data submissions, seed requests, etc. In July we’ll have updated info on who to contact for what as we transition responsibilities.

Friendly reminder that target sp. Lists are due April 30th. A template is available on the blm.gov/SOS website

  *   Target Species Lists:
     *   Collection focus of SOS is on species needed for restoration and rehabilitation projects so common, workhorse species.  Each team should coordinate with state and ecoregional botanists to identify priority species. Interns should NOT be developing these lists.
     *   Target species lists are required and this year we have a template online, please use this format when submitting to the National Office. If you go to blm.gov/sos the template can be found on the right side of the page under “DOWNLOAD THE SOS FORMS” – I’ll include link in the listserv notes.
     *   Species EXCLUDED from the program include rare and threatened species, known recalcitrant species (species with seeds that do not survive conventional methods of drying and freezing) (i.e. Quercus), non-native species, and species that were seeded on restoration or reclamation sites, post-fire, etc. We want wild populations.
     *   Please note, guidance will be coming out soon from the National Office that strongly encourages teams to focus larger collections on IDIQ species for the native forb/grasses growout


SOS Training is coming up!

  *   Reminder that the DOI Course: Seed Collecting for Conservation and Restoration is happening Boise, ID: May 12-14. This training is for mentors and team leads, contractors can attend but they need to pay to attend. It’s not too late to sign up. Contact Lori Young for more details – her information will be in the notes. If you will be training interns, contractors, or any new seed collector you need to attend this training if you have not in previous years.
  *   GBI training is April 14-16 in Reno. I’m sure Jess will discuss this more on the Great Basin specific call later today.



BGBase update – Each team will receive a new password for the data portal each year. I have updated the 2019 passwords & will be sending out new passwords to active teams that have someone trained in using the portal. All contractors attending training and anyone else attending the DOI course in Boise will be trained in the data portal. If you need a training before then or will not be attending either of those trainings, send me an e-mail.

Quick note on contract teams, if you do not know what collector code you’ll be using PLEASE CONTACT ME immediately. I have tried to sort out all of the overlapping contract and BLM crews sharing an office to determine who will be using which code. If there is any confusion as to what code you should use, please let me know ASAP so we can get that sorted out. Thanks!

SOS Collection Goals: The goal of SOS is to establish high quality, accurately identified, genetically representative and well-documented native plant seed collection. This seed will be used to support the development of geographically appropriate native plant materials. Additionally, a small portion of each collection is set aside for conservation and long-term storage.

  *   So there are multiple elements of a collection:
     *   Seed – we’ll go over guidelines for collecting seed next month
     *   Photos – each collection should have 3 photos (plant, habitat, seed) more are always welcome, especially photos of people collecting seed or working in the field.
     *   Herbarium specimens - local, regional, national herbarium (Erika will review tips for making good herbarium specimens and how to ship them) probably on the May or June call after other SOS training is complete and most teams are on board.
     *   Specialist identification of the species you are collecting. This is required and absolutely fundamental to each collection. Taxa must be identified to at least the species level though subspecies and variety is always preferred. A specialist can be a field office botanist or someone at your local or regional herbaria
     *   Data form – we will go over all data entry related things on a later call

Reminder – this listserv is supposed to be a tool for you! If you want some advice on collecting a particular species, send an e-mail. There is a wealth of knowledge in the greater SOS community and so I really encourage everyone to reach out so you can ensure a successful season.

Our next call will be Tuesday, April 7th.

Thanks everyone,
Leah

--
Leah Prescott
Seeds of Success
National Collection Curator (Contractor)
202-912-7232

Seeds of Success<https://www.blm.gov/programs/natural-resources/native-plant-communities/native-plant-and-seed-material-development/collection>
National Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration<https://www.blm.gov/programs/natural-resources/native-plant-communities/national-seed-strategy>
Plant Conservation Alliance<http://www.plantconservationalliance.org/>
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