Separating seeds a critical volunteer effort in Lake County

Volunteers carefully sifted and separated seeds from native plants Wednesday at the Rollins Savanna Trail and Native Seed Nursery in Grayslake.

Because the seeds will be replanted throughout the Lake County Forest Preserve District, the work by volunteers in the winter months is critical to the nursery, officials said.

"We handle hundreds of different species of native seed every year, and the volunteers come out and help all year round," explained Kelly Schultz, the forest district's nursery coordinator. "People volunteer because they care and because they really want to make a difference with their community and with the environment."

More than 70 volunteers participated in the nursery program last year, with 30 returning this year to provide 2,800 hours of work that is equal to that of 1½ staff members.

Inside the nursery, 11 volunteers talked and laughed Wednesday as they separated seeds from plants such as sweet grass, Indian plantain and bottle gentian.

"I think it is a great thing. They have wonderful facilities that I use so I want to give back," said Sandy Francis of Antioch, who has been a volunteer for nine years. "I walk every day through the forest preserves, so I should give something back. I like plants, and this is interesting."

The free help is the backbone of the forest district in providing necessary work in preserves, including clearing brush, monitoring wildlife, weed management and other jobs.

For more volunteer information, contact Tom Smith at tasmith@lcfpd.org or visit www.lcfpd.org.