On a warm fall morning at Hyland Lake Park Reserve, wildlife biologist Angela Grill gathers a group of volunteers around her.
“Once you’ve found what you’re looking for—like this grayhead coneflower—you should be able to strip the seeds right off,” she explains, gently rolling the seeds between her fingers.
The task at hand is straightforward yet crucial: collect wildflower seeds to restore the park’s endangered prairie.
A van parked nearby serves as Angela’s mobile office, stocked with examples of the flowers they’ll be collecting.
Today, 20 volunteers—donning hats, garden gloves, and armed with paper bags—are ready to learn the art of seed collection. Angela’s goal is clear: save the prairie and the wildlife that depend on it.
“Do we collect the whole plant?” a volunteer asks.
“No, just the seeds. We don’t need stems or leaves,” Angela replies, holding up a wildflower stem as she shows the process. She instructs the group to roll the seeds into their hands before placing them in their bags.
The volunteers disperse into the tallgrass prairie, bags in hand, ready to gather nature’s bounty. Volunteers will repeat this scene across a few more of the Three Rivers Park District reserves throughout the seed-collecting season, which runs through mid-October.
For over 50 years, Three Rivers Park District has championed prairie restoration, with reseeding efforts led by dedicated staff like Angela. Leading these volunteer groups over the past few seasons, she finds joy in seeing their enthusiasm.
“I see the smiles on their faces—they’re connecting with the prairie, they love it, and they’ll pass that love on. The seeds are a bonus, but these experiences? They’re priceless,” she says.
Cathy, a veteran volunteer of seven years, shares her motivation as we walk through the low brush. “I saw the prairie and wildflowers, and I was hooked,” she says, her eyes scanning for Giant St. John’s Wort. “They’re fun to find,” she adds with a grin.
This year, Cathy has attended 14 seed-collecting sessions. “It’s a chance to be one with nature. And the views… I like to pretend I’m not in the city.”
Prairies are among the most endangered habitats in Minnesota. Before European settlement, 18 million acres of prairie covered the western part of the state. Today, less than one percent remains. Losing prairie land has placed many species that depend on it—like the rusty patched bumblebee, a Minnesota native pollinator—on state and national endangered species lists.
At one point, Angela picks up a stem of bergamot, also known as bee balm. “This plant is crucial for pollinators,” she tells another volunteer. “It’s used in medicinal teas and essential oils, but more importantly, it supports pollinators that help maintain the ecosystem.”
Mandy Whiteside, Director of Marketing and Community Engagement at Three Rivers, also stopped by the event.
“I’ve always loved collecting seeds, especially at Crow-Hassan,” she shares. “Each time I join, I learn something new. Today, Angela told us about the rusty patched bumblebee—it doesn’t build its own home but uses abandoned birdhouses or logs. It’s fascinating how wildlife adapts.”
Once the seeds are collected, the park staff will clean, sort, and store them through the winter. After a prescribed burn clears the prairie in spring, the park staff will sow the seeds back into the earth, continuing the cycle of restoration.
Angela leaves me with some last words of encouragement.
“We’re always moving so fast, but here, you can immerse yourself in nature. You don’t have to go far—places like this are right in Hennepin County, even Bloomington. And I hope this experience inspires people to return with their families and friends.”
She pauses, gazing over the prairie. “Because if you love it, you’ll take care of it.”
Interested in becoming a “Horticulture Hero?” Follow this link to sign up with Three Rivers Park District and be part of the restoration effort.
The next opportunities to be a seed collector at Crow-Hassen Park Reserve are:
Tue., Oct. 1st- 10:30AM – 1:30 PM
Sat., Oct. 5th- 10:30AM – 1:30 PM
Tue., Oct. 8th - 10:30AM – 1:30PM
No experience necessary. They will provide training at the start of each session. Youth must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations required.
What’s your favorite wildflower?
I’d love to know as we continue to Bloom Together Through Every Season!
Diana
P.S. I had the pleasure of joining Cathy Wurzer on Minnesota Now on Tuesday, Sept. 17th, to chat about Blooming and all things flower photography, Minnesota gardens, and outdoor fun! 🌸🎙 To listen, click here:
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