Wildland Certification Fact Sheet
A Source Identification Program for Native Species Collections

California Crop Improvement Association
Parsons Seed Certification Center
One Shields Avenue, University of California
Davis, California 95616-8541
(530) 752-0544 / Fax: (530) 752-4735
Contact: Betsy Peterson
ekpeterson@ucdavis.edu

Why?

Large scale disturbances of ecosystems whether a result of man's actions or natural events, frequently require efforts to restore, revegetate, improve or stabilize natural plant communities. The ability to provide material for revegetation that can be identified not only by genus and species, but also by ecotype is critical for successful restoration demands.

Purpose:

To assure proper identity and purity of native grasses and forbs, reproductive material is maintained through all stages of production. Additionally, certification assures that the reproductive material is correctly labeled so that appropriate planting material can be selected for specific planting sites. The term reproductive material refers to all forms of reproductive material including seed, seedlings, cuttings, rooted cuttings and transplants.

After control of invasive plants or weeds, native restoration begins in Oregon.

Participation:

Participation in the program is open to any interested party who agrees to follow the guidelines and standards as defined for both Collectors and Producers of native and naturalized species.

Procedure:

Through a series of inspections and lab tests, the collection, handling, multiplication and cleaning is monitored by California Crop Improvement Association (CCIA). Provided all standards are met a Certification Tag is affixed to source-identified seedlots.

Forms:

Species Site Identification
A Species Site Identification Form identifies the genus and species and the exact location of the original collection. MLRA, GPS and Township Range and Section are used to pinpoint collection sites. A species site I.D. number is assigned by the collector which will be used to identify and track a seedlot throughout its marketing life.

Application
A Wildland Collected Application is designed to notify the California Crop Improvement Association that a collection or harvest will be made. Application is made prior to the anticipated harvest or collection date. This application provides field location, planting date, generation of production for a specific collection as identified on the Species Site Identification Form. This application provides notification to CCIA that a pre-harvest inspection is needed.

Harvest
A Collection Site Identification Log is used as notification that a harvest or collection has been made. It provides CCIA with date of harvest, the amount of material harvested and by whom. CCIA uses this information to keep a record of inventory volumes required for periodic audits.

Seed Sample
A Wildland Collected Sample Form accompanies a seed sample to the CCIA laboratory for purity analysis where it is analyzed for noxious weed seed and purity is stated. The sample is identified by the certification number assigned at the time of field inspection.

Tags:

Information printed on the tag is class produced, genus, species common name, lot number, MLRA number, certification number, year of production and generation.

Wildland Collected Seed that passes all the standards within the certification program is tagged with a yellow tag. CCIA certified seed assures the buyer of ecotype-specific, high quality, seed of California native species.