Grassland Restoration Forum

seeds

Grassland Restoration Forum Fall Information Session 2023 – “Seeds”

IMPORTANT – online registration is now closed. You are welcome to email Donna at: [email protected] with a request to be added to a waiting list.  We will contact everyone on a first-come, first-served basis if space opens up due to cancellations or expansion if there’s enough interest to warrant additional facilitators.  Thanks for your interest!

Join us in person for our annual Fall Information Session in Claresholm, AB. This one-day event gathers a variety of grassland stakeholders from industry to producers to exchange current information on grassland restoration and conservation through a variety of presentations on the topic of Seeds. Speakers will update you on how to be a savvy seed purchaser, current research and what others in the area are trying out. With booths, feature artists and lunch provided, you can expect an informative day to network and catch up on grassland restoration news in Alberta.

8:00-8:30 AM – Check-in and Registration

8:30-8:45 AM – Welcome speech – Jane Lancaster,  President of Grassland Restoration Forum

8:45-9:15 – Seed Mix Theory and Practice in Alberta’s Grasslands – Marshall McKenzie, Innotech Alberta

9:15-9:30 – Seed Production 101:  Seed Production and Cleaning – Gord Card, Sunshine Seeds

9:30-9:50 – Plant Selection, Seed Collection and Propagation of Woody Plants Important to the Markets of Southern and Central Alberta – Ken Wright, Wright Nursery Ltd.

9:50-10:15 – Quick Updates

10:15 to 10:45 AM – Networking Break – 30 minutes

10:45-11:45 – Ecological Role of Bison on Habitat and Seed Dispersal – Wes Olson

11:45-12:30 – Naapi’s Garden and the Katoyiss Seed Bank – William Singer III

12:30 PM to 1:30 PM – Lunch 1 hour

1:30- 2:00 – How to be a Savvy Seed Purchaser: Seed Certification, Analysis, and Challenges – Moses Palmer, 20/20 Seed labs

2:00-2:10 – Seed Harvesting Equipment – Rick Niwa, MD of Ranchlands

2:10-2:50 – Growing Native Seed for Restoration in Western Canada- Skinner Native Seeds

2:50-3:20 – Networking Break – 30 minutes

3:20-4:00 – Local Genetics and Seed Storage – Donnie McPhee, National Tree Seed Center

4:00-4:25 –  Limber Up: Seed Collection for Limber Pine Conservation and Restoration – Jodie Krakowski, Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation of Canada and Elizabeth Anderson, Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association

4:30 – Closing and Adjourn

Be sure to also check out the Southern Alberta Native Seed Collaborative (SANSC) Meeting Friday, November 17th, 2023, 8:30 – 15:00, also at the Claresholm Community Centre. For more information and to register, click HERE.

seeds
seeds

Prices:


Fall Information Session (Nov 16): $100.00 per person
Students and Agricultural Producers:  $50.00 per person

*Prices include beverages, snacks, a catered lunch, topical booths, and plenty of opportunity to visit and network. For other arrangements, contact Donna at [email protected] or [email protected]. There is a $50 administration fee for registration cancellations up to 48 hours in advance of an event. Sorry, no cancellations after that.

Our goal is to ensure that events and information are accessible to everyone. We rely on sponsorship for cost recovery and continuation of the Grassland Restoration Forum. Please contact us if you or your organization are interested in providing support.

Event Cancellation

How to Use the Range Plant Community Guides and Recovery Strategies

Unfortunately with a number of late cancellations for the Range Plant Community Guides & Recovery Strategies Workshop scheduled for September 13th, 2023 we’ve had to make the tough decision to cancel the workshop for this fall due to insufficient registrations for a cost recovery event.  We will be offering the same workshop in conjunction with the CLRA Conference in March 2024.  The GRF Mailing list will receive notice/announcements about the event as details become available.

We are still proceeding as planned with the Grassland Assessment Classroom & Hands on Field Training on September 14th at the Cassils Hall/Antelope Creek Ranch.

Apologies for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.