As temperatures in the Southern California deserts are regularly topping the 100 degree mark, it’s high time for seed collection. Plants that once made a vibrant carpet of bright color on the desert floor are drying up and turning brown. This is great news for our Claremont seed collection team, because it means that nearly all of our targeted plant populations are in full fruit and starting to shed their seeds!

Salvia caruduacea, we found a thousand-plus population of these

The past month has consisted of a series of overnight trips out to the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts that have resulted in hundreds of brown paper bags full of seed being collected from all sorts of crispy plants. Today was a landmark moment for our team, as we have just shipped out our 50th seed collection. One of our largest collections has been of the thistle sage, (Salvia carduacea) an annual mint with spiny foliage, purple flowers, and the most amazing scent I’ve ever experienced that could only be described as being lemony fresh. The ensuing collection resulted in a fresh smelling field vehicle for the next two days. In addition to the interesting plants growing out in the Desert, I’ve had the pleasure of coming across a number of cool animals. I’ve been lucky enough to see three desert tortoises, a federally listed threatened species.

Male Desert Tortoise stopping by for some shade

Life in Los Angeles county has been excellent as well. While here, I’ve taken the time to visit interesting places like Hollywood and Venice Beach. Last weekend I made my first trek out to the historic Hollywood Bowl concert venue for the Playboy Jazz Festival, an all day marathon of dancing, good food, and even better music. The balance between city living and working out in the most remote parts of the desert has given me a complete tour of all that Southern California has to offer.

– Drew Monks, Claremont, CA, BLM Seeds of Success team out of the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden