The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) will hold its annual volunteer sagebrush seed collection on Saturday, November 22nd starting at 9 a.m.. Even though 2014 was not a big fire year, Northern Nevada has lost millions of acres of wildlife habitat to wildfires in the last few years and seed is still needed for ongoing range rehabilitation efforts.

"When demand is high for seed, the price for a pound of pure live sagebrush seed can be over $50," said Steve Foree, NDOW habitat biologist. According to Foree, NDOW either has to buy seed or pick it themselves.

"The seed collected is not the only benefit to using volunteers," Foree continued. "We get matching federal aid based on the hours they work which will also be used in the habitat rehabilitation process."

After being collected, sagebrush seed is cleaned, dried and mixed with other species of seed appropriate for the area being rehabilitated. A hopper suspended from a helicopter then disperses the seed over burned and damaged rangelands.

In addition to mule deer and sage-grouse, many other animals depend on sagebrush for their survival. Volunteer seed gathering efforts will also benefit sagebrush obligates such as sage thrashers, sage sparrows, Brewer's sparrows, loggerhead shrikes, pygmy rabbits, greater short-horned lizards, and burrowing owls.

This year's collection site is in Spring Creek on Parkchester Dr. behind the new Khoury's Fresh Market. Refreshments and lunch will be provided by the Northeastern Nevada Stewardship Group.

Harvesting seed is quite easy so volunteers of all ages can participate. Work gloves and buckets will be provided for those who don't have them. Be prepared for cold weather by dressing in layers. Those who are allergic to sagebrush should not participate.

For more information or to register for the event call 775-777-2305. Volunteers may also register and get more information by going to www.ndow.org.