The Land Trust recently completed native plant restoration projects at multiple Preserves. Over the winter, we seeded multiple areas at Paulina Creek Preserve, Indian Ford Meadow Preserve, Rimrock Ranch, and Priday Ranch with native bunchgrasses. We targeted areas that have been recently disturbed, bare ground, and spaces where established native bunchgrass communities needed a boost. Our larger goal is to create strong native grass communities that can outcompete invasive weeds. Overall, we restored 24 acres at Land Trust protected lands.

We used a custom seed mix mainly containing Idaho fescue, squirreltail, bluebunch wheatgrass, and great basin wild rye for this project. Approximately 10 pounds of bunchgrass seed were used per acre at each Preserve. We used a seed drill to disperse the seed. This device helps us be more precise in the quantity and placement of the seeds we're spreading. In addition, the seed drill typically provides higher germination success than hand seeding.

Check out our video below to get an in-depth look at how seed drilling works.

Learn more:

• The Land Trust's Restoration Work.
• Volunteer Weed Warriors help combat invasive weeds.