ST. LOUIS — St. Louis area residents can get a few extra bucks by helping save Missouri's native trees from going extinct.
The Missouri Department of Conservation is purchasing seeds from the public to grow bare-root native trees and shrub seedlings, the department said on its website. The collection effort will run June through November, depending on the species or until seed demands are met.
Seed collectors in the St. Louis region can bring the seeds to either MDC's August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area in St. Charles or Powder Valley Nature Center in Kirkwood. From there, the seeds will be sent to the George O. White Nursery in Licking. Collectors are encouraged to call 573-674-3229 to confirm the seeds they are collecting are still needed.
A full list of the tree seeds being collected, their price and the date buying will begin can be seen on MDC's website here.
"Collectors should note that a special use permit will be required to collect seeds on conservation areas. More information can be found online at http://short.mdc.mo.gov/4d," the website said. "Seeds should not be collected until the date listed to ensure the seed is mature. Once collected, store the seed in a refrigerator until you can get it to a collection site."
Anyone interested in collecting seeds and has questions is encouraged to contact the George O. White State Nursery at 573-674-3229 or email Nursery Manager Mike Fiaoni at Michael.Fiaoni@mdc.mo.gov.
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