ST. GEORGE — When one experiences the wonder and beauty of Zion National Park, sometimes where hikers walk or park is not on their mind. Yet, park officials say there is plenty visitors can do to protect native plants in Zion National Park for those who are willing.
Zion National Park Biological Science Technician Turner Smith told St. George News that due to biologists’ ongoing work, some roadside and trail-side areas that used to be barren are home to plants again. The biologists collect native plant seeds to conserve Zion National Park.
“In our revegetation efforts, we collect native seeds in the Park. And then we grow those out in our greenhouse in our nursery,” Smith said. “So at any given moment, we’re growing between 30 and 50 different species. A lot of grasses and forbs wildflowers, we do grow a few shrubs and tree species.”
For example, this year, park biologists have collected seeds from 36 different species. Throughout the year, 500 pounds of seeds are gathered and grown. Then, the plants are spread out to give native plants an advantage throughout the Park. Smith said plants are on the floors and the walls of the canyon.
Smith said if Zion National Park was left to recover on its own after an area was disturbed, it would take a long time to recover. So biologists revegetate the disturbed areas. Places that often need assistance include the most popular trails or construction sites, like when a new bathroom is constructed.
“The ground gets really compacted; it disturbs the seed bank,” Smith said. “So, by collecting seed growing, planting these plants and spreading the seed, we’re actually speeding up the revegetation process. Whereas this could be a pretty lengthy process if we just allowed it to recover on its own.”
Another goal for revegetating areas is limiting the spread of invasive species. When the Park has disturbed areas, they are vulnerable to nonnative plants getting a foothold.
“It’s the perfect place for these invasive species to become established and then spread throughout other areas in the park,” Smith said.
Another way to help protect native plants is to watch out for seed hitchhikers on your clothing from an area outside the park. He said one thing to do is check boots, pants and clothing before hiking in Zion National Park.
“Before you go out, just check your clothes, pick any seeds off and make sure to throw those in the trash,” Smith said. “Don’t just leave them wherever you pick them off.”
Zion National Park Spokesman Jonathan Shafer told St. George News that due to the biologists’ ongoing work, some barren trail and roadside areas are home to plants again.
Shafter said that the National Park Service has placed large sandstone boulders next to roads preventing parked cars from clogging traffic and allowing plants to thrive.
Park staff also maintain a greenhouse for the revegetation, which was built in the spring of 1999. Many of the plants used throughout Zion are grown from seeds collected in the park, ensuring their genetic purity.
According to the National Park Service website, “Thousands of plants within dozens of species are grown in the Zion Native Plant Nursery which can be used not only for new planting but for revegetating damaged areas. Areas of the Park may be damaged due to fire, exotic weeds and human impact and disturbance.”
The park has a shade structure, a greenhouse and a propagation field. It allows native plants to grow year-round to prepare for spring or fall planting.
To protect native plants during your Zion National Park:
- Stay between the lines. Park your car in designated lots and never on unpaved areas where plants can grow near roads.
- Follow the trail. Trails lead to amazing places, and you can protect native plants and the soils they call home by staying on course. Prevent erosion and protect plants by staying on the trail.
- Clean your boots to give native plants a leg up. Check your footwear for hitchhiking seeds, and brush them off before you arrive at Zion.
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.