An Assessment of Native Seed Needs and the Capacity for Their Supply : Final Report

Extreme weather and wildfires, intensified by climate change, are damaging the native plant communities of landscapes across the United States. Native plant communities are foundational to thriving ecosystems, delivering goods and services that regulate the environment and support life, provide food and shelter for a wide range of native animals, and embody a wealth of genetic information with many beneficial applications. Restoring impaired ecosystems requires a supply of diverse native plant seeds that are well suited to the climates, soils, and other living species of the system. This report examines the needs for native plant restoration and other activities, provides recommendations for improving the reliability, predictability, and performance of the native seed supply, and presents an ambitious agenda for action. An Assessment of Native Seed Needs and the Capacity for Their Supply considers the various challenges facing our natural landscapes and calls for a coordinated public-private effort to scale-up and secure a cost-effective national native seed supply. Table of ContentsFront MatterSummary1 Introduction2 Description of the Information-Gathering Strategy3 Native Seed Needs and the Federal Government4 State Government Uses of Native Seed5 Tribal Uses of Native Seed6 Cooperative Partnerships for Native Seed Development, Supply, and Usage7 Seed Suppliers8 Knowledge Gaps and Research Needs to Support the Native Seed Supply9 Summary Conclusions and Recommendations for the Native Seed SupplyAppendix 1: Committee BiographiesAppendix 2A: Semi-Structured Interview Guide for Federal AgenciesAppendix 2B: State Government Departments Survey Invitation LetterAppendix 2C: State Government Departments Web Survey InstrumentAppendix 2D: State Government Departments Survey Frequency DistributionsAppendix 2E: Supplier Survey Invitation LetterAppendix 2F: Supplier Web Survey InstrumentAppendix 2G: Supplier Survey Frequency DistributionsAppendix 2H: Public Information-Gathering Sessions In-Person and Virtual Agendas