Certified Seed Collector - Training In May
The APB Certified Seed Collector is an important and greatly appreciated volunteer position, essential to maintaining the integrity of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve as a globally rare ecosystem.
The 3,400+ - acre Albany Pine Bush Preserve (APBP), located in New York’s Capital District, protects one of the best remaining inland pitch pine-scrub oak barrens in the world. This extraordinary fire-dependent ecosystem provides habitat for many plants and animals, including more than 20 percent of New York State’s wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need, such as the endangered Karner blue butterfly.
Of the 3,400+ acres of protected land, only two thirds of the acreage currently support pine barrens habitat. The other third requires restoration with the intention of eradicating non-native vegetation and re-vegetating with native species. To maintain the unique ecotypes of plant species located in the Albany Pine Bush, we have committed to utilizing only sources of seed that originate in the Glacial Lake Albany footprint for all of our restoration work. This means that the many pounds of native seed required for restoration planting must be hand collected by preserve staff and volunteers. The APB Certified Seed Collector helps in this regard by scouting for native seed patches throughout the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, collecting ripe native seed, and leading volunteers on weekend seed collecting trips.
To become a Certified Seed Collector, volunteers must complete the in-person classroom and field training. Topics discussed during the training will be plant identification, seed species ID, seed collecting notes, invasive species ID, APB rules and regulations, and logistics of seed collection.
DUTIES OF THE APB Certified Seed Collector
- Visit the Albany Pine Bush Preserve frequently and explore primarily off trail areas to identify and report good seed collecting areas.
- Maintain an observant watch on seed collection areas; record species flowering time and seed development notes.
- When the seed is ripe, collect as much seed as possible according to APB collection guidelines
- Keep careful track of amounts of seed collected and
- Have a great time while helping to further our goal of restoring the pine bush.
TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
Attendance at the in-person training session is mandatory. For 2026, the training will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2026 from 9am-12pm. The training will meet and begin indoors at the Discovery Center located at 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205, and then the group will caravan to the seed barn approximately 5 minutes away on Kings Road. Training will be outdoors rain or shine, so please dress appropriately.
Additionally, attendees should bring a pen/pencil and something to take notes on. A hand loupe or magnifying glass may be helpful for plant ID, but is not required.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
- Commitment to the mission of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve.
- Good interpersonal and leadership skills.
- Attendance at the in-person training.
- After training, demonstrated competence at native seed species ID
- Sufficient physical fitness to walk preserve grounds.
- Willingness to make a minimum one year commitment.
Date Posted: 10-14-2022
Expire Date: Open until filled
Contact Name: Sarah Reilly, Outreach & Volunteer Coordinator
Contact Email: volunteer@albanypinebush.org