Pacific Northwest Mahonia Evaluation Project

We are a very unique research project in West Seattle promoting "citizen science"! Our research would not be possible without the support of community, and we are very passionate about our work, so we hope to bring as many people on board as possible. We have monthly work parties on first and third Saturdays of each month from 10 am to 12 noon, at South Seattle College., and have various volunteer roles to fill. We seek to be inclusive to anyone who wants to get involved.

We are researching the genus Mahonia to determine the healthiest and most beautiful varieties for Pacific Northwest gardens. One important part of our research is to identify the cultivars that are resistant to a particular rust, which plagues wheat crops. We have a test field located in south campus of South Seattle College, where we are caretaking over 90 kinds of Mahonia plants. Our research is sponsored South Seattle College and funded by the WSDA--Nursery Research Fund. Our plants were put in the ground in Fall 2016 so now we are witnessing them grow up fast; it's quite fun to watch.