We have been part of Kew's Tree Seed project for the last two years and this Autumn we have been busy collecting seed again.
This project is building a national collection of UK tree seed that is genetically comprehensive and will contain enough seeds to support research and conservation. Collections will be available to researchers to improve our understanding of some tree species, their seeds and their conservation needs.
As one of Kew's local partners we gathered ripe seed from key native trees including Midland Hawthorn, Rowan and Downy Birch. The seeds are sent for storage in the Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst Place in West Sussex. The Millennium Seed Bank aims to hold 25% of the world's plants by 2020.
By focusing on species with regional variation we are aiming to conserve genetic diversity. We can only collect seed from trees on our nature reserves and our ideal trees are those on SSSIs that are self-seeded and not planted.
Find out more about Kew's Tree Seed Project.
Interested in projects like these? Keen to undertake surveys with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust?
Contact Alexis Evans, Senior Conservation Specialist, to find out more:
t: 024 7630 2912 e: Alexis Evans
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Survey Force provides volunteers with the opportunity to learn new survey skills, meet new people and explore nature in some of the best scenery across Warwickshire.