Thank you, Bill, for your lasting legacy

By To the editor:

Thank you for your recent tribute to Dr. Bill Mitchell.

Few people know that his professional contributions to the agriculture industry are still utilized every construction season for the revegetation on roadways and reclamation of mineral extraction sites.

Dr. Mitchell developed and released ‘Norcoast’ bering hairgrass, ‘Nortran’ tufted hairgrass, ‘Sourdough’ bluejoint reedgrass, ‘Alyeska’ polargrass, and ‘Tundra’ glaucous bluegrass. These varieties were developed for the unique environments that host Alaska’s highways and natural resource development.

Demand for these Alaska native varieties has created a small yet successful agribusiness that has produced and marketed this seed for more than 30 years. More than 40,000 pounds of this native Alaska grass seed is utilized every year throughout Alaska and sometimes outside of our state.

Thank you, Bill, for your lasting legacy that will continue to serve Alaska for many years to come.

Pat Mulligan,

Alaska Seed Growers