Fermilab employees, neighbors and family members will gather this Saturday to harvest the seeds of more than 20 species of plants on Fermilab's prairie for the Volunteer Prairie Seed Harvest. Since 1975, more than 1,100 acres of tallgrass prairie have been reconstructed at Fermilab in an effort to revive the native land.

Most of the seeds that volunteers collect during this 31st annual harvest will be planted in the spring to strengthen younger prairies, said Bob Lootens, of Roads & Grounds. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during Saturday's harvest, plants such as Nodding Wild Onion and Round-Headed Bush Clover will be collected from the Betz Prairie in the Main Ring, one of the older prairie sections. A second harvest, held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on October 29, will collect late-flowering plants. Seeds will be separated by species, dried and processed during the winter.

Examples of the mature plants and areas where they're abundant will be shown to volunteers. "You don't have to be a botanist to come," Lootens said. "Even if you've never seen a prairie plant before, we can mentor you right into collecting." Elmhurst resident Ruthanne Baird has volunteered at the harvest since 1977 and plans to help once more later this month. "It's gotten to be a part of me," she said. "It's important for people to know what the land was once like."

Volunteers are asked to wear field clothing and gloves, and if possible, bring hand clippers and paper grocery bags. A picnic lunch will be provided. Visitors must enter Fermilab through the Pine Street entrance and follow the on-site signs to the harvest site. Those bringing a large group are asked to email Lootens at lootens@fnal.gov.
— Kendra Snyder

Sustainability means the ability to sustain our activities into the indefinite future. To do that we must protect all our resources: environmental, human and economic.

FESS incorporates sustainable elements into its activities, using a standard set up by the U.S. Green Building Council to assess project designs and make sure we create projects that sustain our resources wisely. Fermilab has been a member of the Council since 2003.

Emil Huedem of FESS Engineering designed the character in the icon to emphasize the importance of sustainability. The slogan "It matters" appeals to our interest in particles as well as a recognition of the importance of using resources wisely.

Up to now, the cartoon has been known simply as "The Green Guy", but Fermilab's creative pool should be able to come up with a better handle for him than that. Submit a name to Fermilab Today by the end of October and the author of the name judged best will receive an appropriately "sustainable" prize!
— Rod Walton