The Regional Alliance

The Northeast Seed Network is a growing community of people and organizations working together to improve access to diverse native seeds and plants across the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States and Atlantic Canada.

The network operates through a connected regional partnership model, guided by a central Steering Committee —composed of representatives from each partnership—that oversees communication, coordination, and strategy. Working groups bring members together around shared goals and projects that strengthen the entire alliance.

Want to learn more about how we work together? Read our Network Charter.

Our Members

Membership in the Northeast Seed Network is open to anyone who cares about conserving and restoring native plant communities. Whether you’re a grower, researcher, land manager, Indigenous group, community organization, or an individual who wants to make a difference, there’s a place for you here.

Joining is free, with no financial commitment. We want everyone to have the opportunity to support resilient and healthy landscapes across our shared bioregion.

Members are encouraged to take part in network activities as they’re able—from attending meetings and joining working groups to sharing resources and ideas. Together, we’re fostering a community of practice that advances access to and use of native seed and plant materials across our region.

Membership benefits include:

Access to educational resources and shared technical knowledge
Opportunities to participate in collaborative research and projects
Connection to a regional community of growers, researchers, educators, and practitioners
Updates and events that highlight native seed initiatives and progress across the region

Want to learn more about our members? View our Network Map.

Ready to join the Northeast Seed Network? Sign up here.

Regional Partnerships

Our regional partnerships are where the work truly happens. Each partnership is a local network of people and organizations working together to increase seed collection, storage, cleaning, amplification, and distribution back into the landscape.

These partnerships look a little different from place to place — some cover a single ecoregion or state, while others span a broader area. Each one reflects the unique landscapes, communities, and restoration goals of its region.

There’s no single formula for creating a partnership; what matters most is local leadership, a shared purpose, and a spirit of collaboration.

Our current partnerships include:

Catskills Native Seed and Plant Alliance
Local 59 Plant Network
Mid-Atlantic Regional Seed Bank
Mid-Atlantic Seed Partnership
Native Plant Trust’s Restoration Accelerator
Northern Appalachian–Acadian Maritime Hub
ReSeeding Rhode Island

For more information about our partnerships — or to learn how to get connected or start your own — connect with us here.

Working Groups

Our working groups bring members together around specific topics, challenges, or opportunities. Some meet regularly, while others form for short-term projects.

Each group combines knowledge and creativity from across the Network — scientists, growers, land stewards, and community leaders — to develop practical tools, recommendations, and strategies that support the shared needs and goals of the regional alliance.

Our current working groups include:

Scientific Research Committee
Standards and Protocols Committee
End-User Research and Outreach Working Group
Restorative Landscape Coalition
Regional Seed Strategy Working Group

If you have an idea for a new working group or would like to participate, please reach out to us here.

Network Governance

Guided by a collaborative governance model, the Northeast Seed Network engages regional partners in shaping and advancing shared priorities that serve the network as a whole.

The Steering Committee includes representatives from each regional partnership, along with other individuals who bring expertise from across the seed supply chain — from production and research to restoration and community engagement. The Committee leads strategic planning, network development, outreach and advocacy, and provides oversight for the Network’s priorities, programs, and initiatives.

Thank you to our Steering Committee Members:

Dina Brewster, Co-Founder, The Ecotype Project; President, Northeast Seed Collective
Ed Toth, Director, Mid-Atlantic Regional Seed Bank
Eve Allen, Program Director, Ecological Health Network
Geordie Elkins, Executive Director, Highstead Foundation
John Campanelli, PhD Student, University of Connecticut
Linda Rohleder, Ph.D., Founder & President, Wild Woods Restoration Project
Matthew Garrambone, Consultant, Beechwood Environmental LLC
Natalie Howe, Manager/Natural Resource Specialist, A. Berg Plant Materials Center in Beltsville, MD
Sefra Alexandra, Project Lead, The Ecotype Project
Seth August, Manager of the Seed Programs, NYC Parks Plant Ecology Center and Nursery (PECAN)
Sue Theriault, Vice President, ReSeeding Rhode Island
Uli Lorimer, Director of Horticulture, Native Plant Trust

Network Coordination

The Northeast Seed Network is coordinated by the Ecological Health Network.

Eve Allen, Program Director for the US Northeast Bioregion, and Lauren Shew, Director of Operations, help maintain the structure that supports the regional alliance by coordinating communication, organizing meetings and events, and assisting with the day-to-day work that keeps the network moving forward.

To get in touch with Eve and Lauren, click here.