Join us in re-vegetating the 416 burn area!

1. Pick up a free seed ball kit with all the dry ingredients from a table outside of the Durango Montessori School, in the Smiley building at 1309 E 3rd Ave #6, Durango.

   Pick-up times: 7:00AM - 7:00PM every day

2. Watch our short instructional video on why and how to make seed balls

3. Take your seed balls into the Hermosa trail system and disperse where the ground looks barren.

   Caution: recently burned areas contain dead standing trees which can fall over and unstable ground with holes where roots burned up. Avoid this area when it is windy and stay on trails to avoid unstable footing.

4. Learn about what types of species are included using this handout.

5. Optional: Complete the 416 Burn Area Scavenger Hunt!

Why Seed Balls?

The Strategy: Loose seed quickly gets eaten by animals and washes away in the first rain. We mix sand, clay, and compost with our native seed so that they form hard balls, protecting the seed from foraging animals and keeping it in place until the clay gets wet and softens. The sand is for consistency and the compost gives the seed a boost of nutrients.

Biodiversity: Weeds follow disturbance such as wildfire, and especially with recreators and cattle grazing in the 416 burn area, we expect to see invasive plants begin to spread. By spreading native seed we promote native grasses, flowers, and shrubs to grow before invasive weeds take hold. The seed mix was provided by the San Juan National Forest.

Soil Stabilization: Plants help stabilize the soil, mitigating erosion, flash floods, and water quality impacts.

Science on the Trail

While you are out on the Hermosa area trails, help MSI and the USFS map invasive weeds by using a free, easy-to-use app. Learn more at mountainstudies.org/invasives