Reforestation Pilot Project with Seed Pucks in British Columbia

Cassie Meigs & Diana Chaplin | January 20, 2021 | 4 min read

Direct Seeding With Drones for Forest Fire Restoration

Direct seeding is a method of reforestation involving the manual or mechanical deposition of tree seeds rather than seedlings that have already sprouted and grown roots and leaves or needles. This method can potentially increase the speed and scale of forest restoration while reducing costs. However, the practice inherently depends on depositing high quantities of seed using imprecise equipment.

Drone technology has been taking on an ever-larger role in reforestation, with specialized planting drones capable of delivering seeds to specific locations while using 10 to 20 times less seed than traditional direct seeding methods. Drone deployment is especially relevant in post-wildfire situations where putting human tree planters is prohibitive due to dangerous conditions. While One Tree Planted’s reforestation projects have always been conducted by planters, we support the development of innovative approaches to reforestation that suit different environmental needs and address global reforestation challenges.

That is why we’ve teamed up with Zanzibar Holdings Ltd., a Canadian-based silviculture company, and DroneSeed, a Seattle-based drone seeding company for a pilot project.

The intention of the collaboration is to pilot the application of DroneSeed’s proprietary seed vessel (commonly referred to as “pucks” due to their shape) technology as a post-wildfire solution capable of increasing the speed, scale, and accuracy of reforestation efforts in British Columbia.

If this trial is successful, it will provide support for future large-scale drone seeding operations in the region using DroneSeed’s custom built heavy-lift drones, which they fly in swarms of up to 5.

DroneSeed pucks are small biodegradable squares containing seed.

The pucks are light, small, and uniquely designed so they can be precisely and efficiently deployed from their drones. However, they are also designed to aid in the germination of the seeds. The pucks combine basic principles of seed technologies from nurseries and agricultural industries with DroneSeed’s innovations. Therefore, the seeds within begin with an advantage by being in an ideal growth medium composed of a proprietary combination of survival enhancing features.

Controlled pilot was established to test success of seed pucks

The DroneSeed pucks are being deployed by hand in both fall and spring to test how seasonality effects the germination and establishment of three commercially and ecologically valuable tree species (Yellow or Ponderosa Pine, Douglas-fir, and Lodgepole Pine). In the winter of 2020, Zanzibar Holdings Ltd. supported DroneSeed in the implementation of a controlled experiment where seed pucks were systematically distributed by hand among several sites within wildfire affected areas in the central interior of British Columbia, Canada.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions on travel, DroneSeed was not able to travel to British Columbia for this pilot projects. This became an opportunity to involve and train local field staff in the placement of the pucks. The methodology of the placement of the pucks was a collaboration between local ecologists, foresters, and DroneSeed. It was ensured that the location and placement of the pucks was based on the best microsites to support the successful germination of the seeds.

Now We Wait

The seed pucks are now safely on the ground, all tucked into their special growing medium and acclimating to the current outdoor conditions of winter in British Columbia. Now, as is so often the case with science and nature, we must wait and observe.

At each of these sites, rates of germination + growth, along with soil and weather conditions will be monitored for the next year. We’ll see what the success rate is and continue to monitor the restoration area over time. Stay tuned! 

Longleaf Pine Main Image
Longleaf Pine Restoration
Longleaf Pine Tree Planter
Plant Trees Where They're Needed Most
Longleaf Pine Landscape
Longleaf Pine Planting
Longleaf Pine Main Image
Longleaf Pine Restoration
Longleaf Pine Tree Planter
Plant Trees Where They're Needed Most
Longleaf Pine Landscape
Longleaf Pine Planting

Plant Trees Where They're Needed Most

As the need for reforestation is global and ever-changing, we feature where trees are most needed now. This project is currently supporting Longleaf Pine Restoration. Learn more

With your help, we will:

  • Protect wildlife habitat and increase biodiversity
  • Restore essential watersheds for soil stability and erosion control
  • Sequester carbon in the biomass of the forests through climate stability
  • Longleaf pine forests are among the most biodiverse in North America and provide habitat for numerous threatened and endangered species. Longleaf pine forests are well-adapted to a warming climate as longleaf pine is a resilient species that is fire-dependent, drought-tolerant, and long-lived. Reforestation of longleaf pine ecosystems- to increase, maintain, and enhance the species- has been identified as a priority area within America's Longleaf Range Wide Conservation Plan. 🌲
  • Our longleaf pine reforestation project will restore habitats, control soil erosion, and sequester carbon in an effort to stabilize the climate in the area. Not only will wildlife benefit from the clean air and water provided by the planted trees, but the surrounding community will, too. This project will work with a variety of landowners whose responsible forest management and stewardship will only further increase the benefits for species residing on the lands. Some of the most notable species that will benefit from habitat restoration include gopher tortoises, red-cockaded woodpeckers, and eastern indigo snakes
  • A personalized tree certificate (see gallery) to say thanks for your donation. We'll also send you updates about our Longleaf Pine Restoration project, so you can track the impact your trees are having on the ground!
  • We always plant a mix of diverse, native species from local nurseries. This project is working to replenish longleaf forests, so the native species grown in the nurseries will mainly be longleaf pine, but also include shortleaf pine and loblolly pine.

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