If Santa were ever to recruit humans for the North Pole, he’d do well to visit San Juan County. Volunteers and stewardship staff wore smiles and an extra layer (or two?!) while working in LSR (Land scape Scale Restoration) areas on Orcas and San Juan Islands during our bitter cold snaps.
The grant-funded project expands oak connectivity on the southern slope of Turtleback Mountain Preserve (Orcas) and western slope of Mount Grant Preserve (SJI). Field assistant, Jacob Wagner, (left) with native wildflower plugs from the Salish Seeds Project nursery prepped for planting into burn scars from the recently burned slash piles. SJI volunteers prepping
ground at Mount Grant Preserve (right) in order to sow native wildflower seeds from the nursery. Many perennial plant seeds require exposure to cold temperatures and damp conditions before germination can occur; winter precipitation also helps the seeds settle into the soil and will stimulate germination. Interested in learning more about native plants restoration? CLICK HERE for native plant resources for San Juan County.