National Ash Seed Collection Initiative

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National Ash Seed Collection Initiative

• An Initiative to Preserve Ash Trees for Future
  Generations

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Ash Seed Collection Initiative Why Does it
Exist?

• Many Negative Influences on Ash Trees
• Emerald Ash Borer
• Irresponsible Movement of Firewood
• EAB Containment/Eradication Efforts
• Ash Trees do not Produce Seed Each Year
• Only Female Trees Produce Seed
• Small Seed Feeding Insect Attacks Seed

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Ash Seed Collection Initiative Cooperative
Agreement

• Agreement Between USDA-Natural Resources
  Conservation Service (NRCS) and USDA-Agricultural
  Research Service (ARS) National Center for
  Genetic Resource Preservation (NCGRP) in Ft.
  Collins, CO
• Initiated in February, 2005

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Ash Seed Collection Initiative Cooperative
Agreement

• Voluntary Participation by Tribes, Private
  Citizens, and Conservation Partners (Federal,
  State, Local)
• NRCS Coordinates Seed Collection Efforts
• NRCS Processes Seeds to Insure the Highest
  Quality Seed
• NRCS Sends Seed to NCGRP with Appropriate
  Documentation

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Ash Seed Collection Initiative Cooperative
Agreement

• NCGRP Prepares and Stores Seed at
  -18oC in the Seed Storage Facility in Ft.
  Collins, CO
• NCGRP Will Provide Seed Samples to Researchers,
  Tribes, or Individuals ONLY With Written
  Instruction by NRCS
• Tribes Must Give Written Permission to NRCS to
  Distribute Tribal Seed to Those Outside the Tribe

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Ash Seed Collection Initiative Information
Resources

• Available in Handouts
• How to ID trees in spring/summer
• How to harvest, prepare, and ship seed to Rose
  Lake Plant Materials Center
• Available on the Web
• www.AshSeed.org
• www.EmeraldAshBorer.info

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Ash Seed Collection Initiative Information
Resources
Ash Seed Collection Form Provides Identification
Information And Seed
Collection Instructions
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Ash Seed Collection Initiative Information
Resources
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Ash Seed Collection Initiative What Happens to
the Seed?
Ash Seed Received at Rose Lake PMC in Fall
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Ash Seed Collection Initiative What Happens to
the Seed?
Ash Seed Given a Unique Identification Number
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Ash Seed Collection Initiative What Happens to
the Seed?
Ash Seed Processed to Remove Leaves, Stems, and
Damaged Seed
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Ash Seed Collection Initiative What Happens to
the Seed?
Ash Seed Sent to U.S. Forest Service Lab in
Georgia for X-Ray
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Ash Seed Collection Initiative X-Ray Results
Damaged Seed Good Seed
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Ash Seed Collection Initiative What Happens to
the Seed?
Ash Seed Sent to NCGRP in Colorado if 60 Good
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Ash Seed Collection Initiative 2005 Results

• 20 Ash Seed Samples Received
• From MI, MN, OH, WI
• Including 5 from Indian Communities
• 8 Samples Submitted for X-Ray
• 6 Samples Forwarded to NCGRP for Storage
• Including 4 from Indian Communities