This week, we get into the spirit of Earth Month by talking to Hannah Schrager (she/her) of the Native Plant Center about her work tending the lush and lovely green denizens of our region.
What is your job at Metro?
I am a native plant materials scientist in the Parks and Nature department at Metro
What does a typical day look like?
In the spring and summer, I am planning for planting season (fall and winter), working with growers to get orders lined out, visiting Metro natural areas to see what is growing, collecting seeds for various projects, participating in regional plant conservation groups, and supporting fun things like native plantings at the Regional Center.
In the fall and winter, I am helping distribute thousands of pounds of native seed and hundreds of thousands of bare root plants to Metro restoration projects. I can almost always be found rolling around on the ground taking pictures of plants.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I really enjoy working with such smart and dedicated folks at Metro. Also, I appreciate the diversity and tangibility of the work.
What’s the most common question you get asked about your work?
“Do you have any free plants I can have?” The kicker is that nature provides them if you pay attention.
What’s one thing you’ve learned from your work that you really wish more people knew?
I wish more people knew how good it feels to interact with and care about native plants. Learning about the natural world fights feelings of isolation. It reminds us that we are part of the web of life, and it turns the whole world into a game of hide and seek, noticing the seasonal revolutions and beauty in all phases.
When you’re not at work, how do you like to spend your time?
Cooing to my pet pigs, meandering, being cheeky.