Tommy W. Wilson proposes using weather balloons filled with seed-infused paint to help reclaim over 1,000 acres of vacant, unmaintained land in Memphis. The "B-52" balloons would disperse seeds that mimic how birds spread them, coating the seeds for protection until germination. An extension service estimates the plan has a 90% chance of success, with 50,000 to 125,000 new flowering plants emerging. The proposed balloon payload includes purple catchfly, black-eyed Susan, clasping coneflower, and purple coneflower seeds, with some dwarf sorghum and endangered Tennessee coneflower added.

1. Using Weaponry to Fight Blight Tommy W. Wilson

2. Vacant lots account for over 1000 acres of land inside the Memphis City Limits.

3. This does not include land held by banks, investors, and absentee landlords .

4. This land is usually unmaintained and ignored, a no-man’s-land in the war on blight.

5. Tackling the problem with advanced weaponry.

6. The “B-52” – Weapon of Mass Beautification.

8. One of the main ways seeds move from place to place is through bird droppings. The food based paint in each balloon simulates this by providing nutrients, weatherproofing, and a viscous medium which binds the seed to the soil until germination occurs. Taking queues from nature…

10. “… considering the parameters you have laid out, your horticultural art project has a 90% chance of success with 10-25% of the disbursed seeds reaching germination and eventual bloom.” - University of Arkansas Extension Service

11. = In real numbers… 500,000 Seeds 50,000 to 125,000 New Flowering Plants!

12. The Lineup (Fall Campaign) Purple Catchfly Black-Eyed Susan

13. Clasping Coneflower Purple Coneflower

14. Additional: Heirloom Sorghum (Dwarf) A traditional southern agricultural crop providing ground cover, nectar for bees, erosion control, and food for birds, squirrels, and insects.

15. Special Addition Tennessee Coneflower ( Echinacea tennesseensis) An endangered plant, only found in four counties in Tennessee. This plant is being considered for special addition to the lineup, although the seed is very expensive and the non-hybrid variety is only available from three nurseries in the country.

20. For more information: http://bombtheblight.blogspot.com