VOLUNTEERS IMPROVING PARKS
Project Announcement
Name of Project: Natural Area Seed Collection
Volunteer Coordinator Natural Area Sites: Pat Howell
Volunteer Coordinator Nursery:
Julie Brown
Volunteer Position
Park
Description of work involved
Hours volunteers can work
Level of difficulty
1=easy
5=physically demanding
Phone: 954-357-8137
Phone: 954-444-0208 (cell)
Master Gardener
 Seed Collector
 Seed Transporter
 Planting Experts
 Plant Monitor
 Natural Area Site Planting Team
Various Natural Area Sites for collecting
Markham Park Nursery for propagation
16001 W. State Rd. 84
Sunrise, FL 33326
954-389-2008
markhampark@broward.org
Nursery hours: Mondays-Fridays, 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Master Gardener Seed Collectors will collect seeds for propagation
from Broward County Parks Natural Areas. Seeds will be transported
from collection site to Markham Nursery by Seed Transporter.
Planting Experts will process each specific seed species as
appropriate and plant into trays or pots. All plants will be labeled by
date, collection site, and botanical name. Plant Monitors will check
on the progress of the seeds at least every other week and more if
there are problems. As seeds germinate the trays will need to be
thinned, weeds will need to be pulled, and seedlings will need to be
planted into appropriate-sized pots. As seeds outgrow their pots,
they will need to be replanted into larger-sized pots. Plant Monitors
will ensure that at all stages plants are appropriately labeled so as to
ensure replanting into the appropriate site when ready.
When plants are of an appropriate size to be planted into the site,
the Planting Team will work with Natural Area Site Manager and
Natural Area Site Coordinator for appropriate locations. Planting
Team will follow progress of these plants including watering and
keeping area weed-free for establishment period, approximately two
months.
Check specific Natural Area Site Website for specific hours.
Markham Nursery hours are Mondays-Fridays, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
1-5 depending on position
Planting Team will require more physical ability (4-5)
Skills required
Shady or full sun area
Access to restroom facilities
How many volunteers are needed
for this project?
Individuals
Small Group-up to 30
Large Group-over 30
How often do volunteers need to
work on site?
Tools and equipment provided
Tools volunteers can bring if desired
Personal items to bring
Personal Protective Equipment will
be provided as needed
Project Start Date
Project Completion Deadline
Duration of program
Volunteer Application Deadline
Orientation/Training
Must have Master Gardener Certification through Broward County
Extension Education.
Natural area sites are mixed shade and sun depending on specific
site.
Nursery has a shaded potting area.
All Natural Area Sites have restroom facilities.
Nursery has a restroom located about 200 yards away at airfield.
Individuals to small group of 5-6.
Varies according to position. Plant Monitors must be able to make
return visits at least every two weeks for at least six months.
Planting Team must be able to maintain plants for two months.
Seed Collectors or Seed Transporter can be a one- time project for a
specific individual or group.
Seed Collector – collecting supplies- cloth bags or buckets.
Seed Transporter – must provide own vehicle.
Planting Experts – propagation supplies such as potting soils, trays,
pots, any seed-processing materials.
Plant Monitor – labels, notebooks, all step-up materials such as
larger pots, soil, fertilizer, and any pesticide needed.
Planting Team – planting supplies such as shovels, clippers, picks,
fertilizer, water tanks, carts, rakes.
Any specialty tools that volunteers want to use.
Sunscreen, hat, insect repellent, closed-toe shoes, gloves, water
and/or snack, cell phone. Possible necessities for Natural Area Site
(site dependent): long pants, rubber boots.
We will provide any personal protective equipment as needed and
instruct in proper use.
As soon as possible.
Ongoing.
Ongoing.
Plant Monitors must make a minimum of six-month commitment to
maintaining seeds.
Planting Team must make a minimum of two-month commitment to
maintaining newly planted material.
These positions require the Volunteer Application, to be completed
and submitted two weeks before start date.
Volunteers must attend an initial training, which will take place on
the first workday. Seed Collectors will be trained on site at Natural
Area. Planting Experts and Plant Monitors will be trained at
Markham Nursery after seeds have arrived at the nursery.
Planting Team will be trained on site at Natural Area where planting
is taking place.
Restrictions
Extra comments
STATUS
12/09
Updated 2/9/10
Edited 2/17/10 MM
Volunteers will plant ONLY species that they are trained to collect
and/or plant. These will come only from the specific site that is
indicated by Pat Howell.
Volunteers will use ONLY pesticides, fertilizers, and seed-processing
materials that are provided by Markham Nursery staff or Natural
Area Site Manager.
All plant material must remain at either the Natural Area Site or at
Markham Nursery. Volunteers may not take plant material home.
Personal protective equipment will be worn when spraying or
fertilizing.
Great project for knowledgeable Master Gardeners. This will give
Master Gardeners an opportunity to help learn propagation
techniques and help restore our most pristine and delicate Natural
Area Sites. Without the help of dedicated volunteers, we will not be
able to maintain our local plant specificity. Local seed sources are
very difficult to find and this will allow us to maintain these sitespecific species.
Volunteers needed on an ongoing basis.