Vegetation Co-op Development Program

The members of the CONRAD ERRG recognized the importance of developing a collaborative approach to ensuring supplies of the required seeds and propagules for native plant re-establishment on reclaimed areas. To encourage development of a formal structure to share in the collection, storage and distribution of the required seeds and plant materials, the CONRAD ERRG provided preliminary funding to establish a “Seed” Co-op. In 2009 the first harvest was conducted and seeds registered. To ensure seed

The Vegetation Co–operative has been initiated and four years of propagule harvest have been completed. Additional species (over 20) have been added, including the first tree species: trembling aspen and paper birch. There are currently 50 kg of seed registered and stored at the Alberta energy Sustainable and Sustainable Resource Development Alberta Tree Improvement and Seed Centre. We continue to track all collections and the dissemination of seeds to industry partners and to Dr. Bai (University of Saskatchewan) for his research into seed storage and longevity.