continued from page 25
ed in 1-acre seed increase fields. That
seed is harvested and provided to cooper-
ating commercial seed dealers, who then
plant larger fields. Seed harvested from
those commercial sites eventually makes
its way to the consumer as a formal
release of selected native germplasm
(rather than a cultivar of a genetically
bred variety). This process insures the
exact genetic makeup of naturally occur-
ring species from the region.
So, as I’ve mentioned, landowners
across the region have opened their gates
for seed collection. Ronnie Cooper, who
ranches on the Pecos River near
Imperial, is also offering sites for restora-
tion research. He is hopeful that readily
available sources of native plant seed will
help bring increased economic value to
much of the former farmland he now
ranches. As Cooper says, “If you don’t
have an oil or gas well on your property,
native plants are one of the few ways you
can put value back into the land. This
project is going to help landowners
address some of the future needs for agri-
culture and economic productivity. It’s
working to benefit agriculture as a whole
for West Texas.”
Agreeing with Cooper is Michael
McCulloch, who ranches in Brewster
and Pecos counties. He believes the plant
materials project is more important than
ever because of the need to bring value
back to landowners in the form of
wildlife habitat and increased forage. For
men like Cooper and McCulloch, the
prospect of growing native seed in the
region makes economic as well as ecolog-
ical sense.
With support from individuals like
these, the Trans Pecos Native Plant
Materials Initiative hopes to release 15-
plus native species over the next decade,
ensuring the commercial availability of
diverse native seed mixes that will suc-
cessfully meet restoration needs across
West Texas.
The diverse wildlife found across the
Trans-Pecos is a result of the region’s rich
native plant communities. Our goal is to
make native plant restoration after habi-
tat disturbance a viable management
option for all land users, regardless of
their diverse interests.
Well, that’s my native plant seed story.
What’s yours?
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For information about the Trans Pecos Native
Plant Materials Initiative, or for considering
native seed collection on your property, please con-
tact the author (see page 7).
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Harrington, please call 432-837-0431.
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Gynecology and Gynecologic Surgery
Board Certified OB/Gyn
Dr. Sohl is an Honors graduate from the University of Texas San
Antonio. She is an Alpine native and has special interests in
menopause, pelvic floor surgeries and women’s health issues. To
make an appointment with Dr. Sohl, please call 432-837-0430.
Allison Ainsworth, ANP
Allison Ainsworth is an adult nurse practitioner who offers primary
care for men and women over the age of 13. Allison received her
MSN while working at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. She
has worked with over 3,500 patients and also has experience in
supervising care for a Nursing Home.
Cenizo
Fourth Quarter 2012
27