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2. Training, Communication, and Annual Reporting

2a. Training

It is extremely important that groups and individuals collecting seed for SOS are well trained so that plant populations are not harmed during the collection process and the protocol is followed to ensure data integrity

The training course, “Seed Collection for Restoration and Conservation” has been developed to provide comprehensive training for SOS seed collection partners. 

Before starting an SOS team, or making SOS collections, it is highly recommended that at least one lead botanist (all team members are welcome) participate in the training course.  If you are founding a SOS team and need to train a collection team, contact the National Coordinating Office for more information.

2b. Communication

SOS has three primary means of communication between the National Coordinating Office, collectors and other partners.  These include the SOS website, SOS listserv and monthly Collectors’ Call.

Web:  The website may be viewed at http://www.nps.gov/plants/sos and includes information about targeted species, collection guidance, training materials and contact information.

List:  SOS has an email list for discussing the Seeds of Success program.  You must be subscribed to the list in order to "post" or send a message out to all the subscribers.  Anyone is allowed to subscribe to the group, so if you know of someone who is interested, feel free to tell them about the list.

To subscribe to the list, send an e-mail to sos-request@lists.plantconservation.org with the following information in the body of the message (not the subject):

SUBSCRIBE

You will then receive an e-mail that you will need to reply to in order to confirm your subscription.  After you confirm your subscription, another e-mail will be sent with instructions on how to use the list.

Call:  On the first Tuesday of every month, collectors are invited to participate in the Collectors’ Call, a conference call for all SOS Partners.  This is a forum for discussion to raise issues and questions with other collectors and the National Coordinating Office.  The conference call number cannot be posted on the website; contact the National Coordinating Office for details and to submit agenda items.  Reminders, cancellations, and agendas will be posted to the SOS email list.

Collectors’ Call Time

12 noon – EST

10 am – MST

11 am – CST

9 am – PST

8 am – AKST

2c.  Annual Reporting

When each collecting team has finished for the season, they must complete an annual report.  A template and example is available on the SOS website and will be circulated at the end of each collecting season.  The annual report is intended to summarize the collecting season, collections, difficulties and highlights, as well as improvements to be made for the upcoming year.  This report is to be submitted to the SOS National Coordinating Office.  Additional comments may be submitted to the National Coordinating Office at anytime throughout the year.

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http://www.nps.gov/plants/sos/protocol/2.htm
Last Updated: 15-Apr-2011