Seeds of Cooperation
In late September an unusual letter arrived at Holiday Builders’ corporate office in Melbourne from Bok Tower Gardens, a National Historic Landmark in Lake Wales, Florida. It was a request for permission to collect seeds of a Florida native wildflower species, the Lakeside Sunflower (Helianthus Carnosus) from one of our lots in Flagler Estates in Hastings, Florida. The letter, addressed to no one in particular, included a form for signature, permitting the seed collection.
Summer, our front desk associate, is responsible for opening and distributing mail. The Bok Tower letter was of interest to Summer, an avid camper and outdoor enthusiast who grew up in Colorado. Summer reached out to Steve P, the Project Manager responsible for Flagler Estates. Steve told Summer that he had no issue allowing access to Holiday Builders’ property for seed collection. Now Summer needed to find the appropriate person to sign the permission form. That’s when she reached out to Renee J, our comptroller. Renee agreed but added that anyone accessing our property must sign a waiver. With the required paperwork in hand, Summer emailed the team at Bok Tower for signatures.
On Bok Towers’ end of the email chain was Chico Rivera, a Rare Plant Specialist. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens partnered with Bok Tower on the seed collection project. Chico ensured staff from both organizations signed forms before accessing Holiday Builders’ property. Two site visits were required. The first, to affix collection bags onto the flower stems. The second, to collect the bags when the seeds were ripe. Chico and Summer stayed in touch throughout the process.
Chico explained that Bok Tower Gardens has worked extensively on various plant species for many years. Research includes genetic research, habitat research, introducing new populations, collecting and preserving seeds, and growing native species in their gardens. Strict guidelines are followed when collecting seeds ensuring the plant population is not negatively impacted. On Monday, October 21st, Chico reported to Summer that collection efforts were successful and work could begin to preserve the species. Bok Tower Gardens staff can begin germination trials to understand seed biology and to learn how it can be saved from extinction.
A lot of what Holiday Builders does as a homebuilder is visible on the surface. “Bricks and sticks” make for new houses popping up across the Florida landscape. These houses become homes for new and existing residents. And behind the scenes, quiet seeds of cooperation allow all species to have a home that will last, including the Lakeside Sunflower.
Tags: native flowers, native plants, preservation
