West Branch, Iowa— The National Park Service is looking for volunteers on Saturday, September 30, to help gather seeds from native plants in the prairie at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site. All ages are welcome. E-mail heho_information@nps.gov or call (319) 643-2541 if you are interested in participating.
The seeds harvested will be planted by the National Park Service in the fall, “in an effort to diversify the plants available for pollinators," said Jessica Salesman, biological science technician for the National Park Service. Plants that seeds will be collected from include big bluestem, canada wild rye, blazing star and spiderwort. In October, the Conservation Corp of Iowa will come and remove invasive shrubs, and replant the area with these species.
If you would like to volunteer to harvest seeds, please meet at the Visitor Center at 8:30 a.m. for an orientation and to get signed up. Work will be from about 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Dress for the weather, and wear comfortable work clothes. Long pants and closed toe shoes are required, ticks are abundant. Bring a water bottle, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, long sleeved shirt, and a snack. The park has work gloves and other required tools.
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum are in West Branch, Iowa at exit 254 off I-80. Both are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. For more information go online at www.nps.gov/herberthoover or call (319) 643-2541.
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for over 400 parks in the National Park System. They work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.
