Highstead is spearheading a project to create a Key Messages document for the collection of wild seed for habitat restoration in the Northeast, addressing the growing demand for native seed amidst climate change and biodiversity loss. As part of its leadership role in the Northeast Seed Network, Highstead will develop key messages around seed collecting protocols that land trusts can include in their management plans. This document aims to provide insight on best practices that protect plant populations and ecosystems, while also providing seed for habitat restoration projects. This work addresses the potential role land trusts can play in supporting the National Seed Strategy.
The National Seed Strategy
The National Seed Strategy is a comprehensive initiative aimed at ensuring the long-term availability and use of native seeds for habitat restoration, conservation, and climate resilience. It focuses on building sustainable supply chains for ecotypic seeds—native plant species that are genetically adapted to specific regions. The strategy promotes the responsible collection, preservation, and use of these seeds to support biodiversity, enhance ecosystem function, and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Part of the land trusts' mission is to protect the habitat to which seeds and plants are foundational. They can play a critical role within the framework of The National Seed Strategy by helping to conserve locations where native plant communities can thrive and, therefore, provide reservoirs of native seeds for habitat restoration, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience. Their involvement is key to protecting and building a sustainable seed supply, particularly for ecotypic seeds suited to specific ecoregions.
Guidance through the form of this LTA granted Key Messages document, will help land trusts to participate in this work. Land trust engagement is critical because, both over-exploitation and under-utilization of native plant populations within their land holdings can jeopardize the region’s ability to respond to climate challenges. With native seed in high demand and low supply*, the creation of a reliable ecotypic seed supply chain involving a multi-sectoral collaborative effort is essential for effective seed increase for restoration efforts. Increasing the availability of native seeds and plants further protects wild populations by creating a place where people can obtain the seed they want without poaching it from the wild.
In the fragmented landscape of the Northeast, with little to no federal lands available for seed collection, the network of land trusts in the region have the opportunity to play a vital role in addressing the National Seed Strategy by managing seed sources, supporting habitat restoration, and ensuring the sustainable use of native plant material for long-term ecological resilience.
The Project Scope
The project will bring together a broad group of stakeholders—researchers, conservationists, farmers, and land managers—from across seven states. Our partner organization- the Ecological Health Network, will lead the outreach to ensure collaboration and engage diverse voices. The Key Messages document produced will develop seed collecting policies, ensuring that the plant populations on their properties are protected from over-collecting and well stewarded.
The four-part strategy includes:
Stakeholder Engagement: A diverse S&P (Standards & Protocols) team with an emphasis on equity and inclusion has been initiated and already conducted their first meeting. We are still recruiting so reach out if you would like to join us! Current members include representation from:
The Wild Seed Project, Highstead, Northeast Seed Network, Native Plant Trust, ReSeeding Rhode Island, NY Botanical Garden, The Ecotype Project, HIlltop Hanover Farm, PerfectEarth, Greenbelt Native Plant Nursery, Wild Woods Restoration Project, Hilltop Hanover Farm, UConn and others.
Development of a key Messages Document: Creating a protocol document for land trusts to insert into their management plans, based on best practices and adapted for the Northeast.
Outreach and Education: Partnering with The Ecotype Project to promote the document and seed and plant literacy as a climate action strategy.
Network Mapping: Updating the Northeast Seed Network Map to enhance transparency and foster equitable information sharing about Key Messages for seed collection protocols.
Through this initiative, Highstead aims to strengthen the region’s ecological resilience by building a robust, transparent, and equitable seed collection network. By ensuring responsible seed collecting, the project seeks to increase the availability of ecotypic seed and plants, which are essential to restoring biodiversity and supporting climate adaptation efforts across the Northeast. The work is made possible through a generous grant from the National Land Trust Alliance.
Comments