My Experience Collecting Seeds of Native Wildflowers in the Kalamazoo Area

Abstract

Native plants fill many crucial roles in their ecosystems, but are often threatened by many external factors, decreasing their rates of survival and successful reproduction. During the chilly fall months of 2021, I collected seeds from a variety of native wildflowers under the guidance of Dr. Ann Fraser, a professor in the biology department here at Kalamazoo College. We collected seeds in order to prepare them for planting in the spring, drastically improving their chances of survival and benefitting their ecosystems. Most of the seeds that I collected were from areas on Kalamazoo College’s campus such as the wildflower sanctuary outside of the Dow Science Center, and the garden in front of Mandelle Hall.