The Environmental and Sustainability Studies Club (ESSC) hosted Native Seed Harvesting in the Science Center on Tuesday, Sept. 16.
Native seed harvesting is a common practice of ecological restoration, improving long-term success for the environment by increasing biodiversity and habitats for native wildlife. Students joined acting Club President Laurel Feindel, a senior, and Treasurer Finn Nibert, a senior, in a journey from room 264 of the Science Center to the Science Center courtyard, where they harvested seeds from a variety of plants, including Milkweed, Sweet Joe-Pye weed, Queen Anne’s lace, wild Bergamot and more.
Students stored the seeds they collected in small envelopes, labeling them with the type of plant they collected from. The group then placed the envelopes in a basket to be transported and replanted. Once finished in the courtyard, the club travelled to various locations on campus, including outside the Child Development Center, behind the Living and Learning Commons and all the way to Oya Hill to harvest seeds from Purple Coneflower, wild Blue Indigo and Milkweed plants.
The seeds harvested from the event will be planted and grown in the Science Center greenhouse until next spring, when they will then be transplanted on campus and around various club members’ homes. This is the ESSC’s second time hosting such an event.
As an environmental studies major, Feindel said she joined the ESSC to further develop her knowledge in her field and get more experience outside the classroom. “It’s great to feel so connected to plants– it makes me feel powerful,” Feindel declared when asked about the importance of the seed harvesting event. Feindel said her favorite plant harvested during the event was Milkweed, highlighting how the plant is crucial to the life cycle of monarch butterflies.
Nibert said he also favors Milkweed. He added he initially joined the club to build community but ended up so inspired by the club’s activities that he added an environmental studies major onto his initial math major and a minor in geography.
First-years Samuel Brown and Tristan Phillips are members of the ESSC and attended the seed harvesting event. When asked why they decided to join the club, Brown said he joined due to an interest in nature and is specifically excited for the club’s hiking events that will take place in the future. Phillips cited his reason for joining as a “love for nature,” explaining how he “loves to stop and appreciate the nature” around him. Phillips said he hopes the club’s activities can provide him with an “intricate view” of the natural world.
In addition to the seed harvesting event, the ESSC will be hosting a group kayaking venture at Monadnock Paddle later this month. Interested students can go to the club’s Instagram, @ksc_e.s.s.c, to learn more about upcoming events.
Serena Taylor can be contacted at
staylor@kscequinox.com
