When: September 13, 2025 @ 10:00 am
Learn to collect and process wild, native seeds through our WNC Wildseed Library program
The native wildflower diversity of the Southern Appalachians is nearly unmatched. From early spring bloomers in hot, humid bottomlands to autumn asters on dry, rocky summits, there’s a beautiful flower for every habitat and season! Inviting these wild creatures to live in our gardens, wildflower meadows, or even pots on our porches benefits humans, wildlife, and the environment, but how do we collect seeds mindfully without impacting the plants and their habitat?
This workshop will cover the basics of ethical and sustainable wild seed collection, focusing on methods that backyard gardeners can use to collect and process seeds by hand in small, home-garden quantities without any special tools. We will also discuss the benefits of growing wild, native plants, and introduce participants to our WNC Wildseed Library program.
This workshop will occur from 10:00am-12:00pm at Winding Stair Nursery (57 Saunders Rd, Franklin, NC 28734) in Franklin. Please plan to arrive a few minutes early to park and get settled; the workshop will start promptly at 10:00am. This event is occurring in Winding Stair Nursery’s outdoor (but covered) learning pavilion, so we recommend dressing for the weather. We also suggest bringing water and something to take notes with.
The missions of the WNC Wildseed Library is connecting people to the natural heritage of the Southern Blue Ridge by providing wild, local, native seeds and information on how to grow them. We seek to empower communities with knowledge and seeds, so they may steward the environment by nurturing native plants on any scale, from a window basket to a whole yard. To learn more about this volunteer program, click here. To register to volunteer with us, click here.Â
MEET YOUR TEACHER
As Mainspring’s Conservation Outreach Director, Skye Cahoon inspires people to connect with their local landscape and value the conservation efforts that protect it. As a kid, she could often be found climbing trees, hunting for salamanders, or chasing fish at the swimming hole. Her passion for nature grew with her, and in 2020 she earned her Zoology B.S. from the University of Maine. Integrating her experience in wildlife research with her excitement about the natural world, Skye now strives to make science fun and accessible. She leads a variety of educational programs here at Mainspring, and enjoys continuing to learn about the diverse and fascinating creatures that call the Southern Appalachians home.
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