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Seed Banking

Our three distinct seed bank collections conserve rare plants, increase seed for restoration, and grow plants for the public

A seed is a baby plant in a box with its lunch. Most plants produce many more seeds than will survive—only a lucky few are likely to live to reproduce. We collect seeds and care for them, giving them a much better chance to grow. Our three different seed storage programs each have their own purpose, methods, and goals. 

Conservation Seed Bank

Storing the seeds of rare plants in deep freeze is one of the most cost-effective ways to ensure the survival of rare plants. Some species are found only in very small areas or in small numbers, so carefully collecting seeds and storing them is an important strategy for helping these plants recover or relocate after an extreme weather event, fire, or land use change. Plant Conservation Volunteers collect seeds of rare plants as part of the the New England Plant Conservation Program, helping to ensure that the genetic diversity of rare plants is captured and stored for future use. These seeds are cleaned, cooled into dormancy, and then frozen in our Conservation Seed Bank. Years or decades later, they can be warmed and grown to reestablish or augment the populations they came from after a decline or disaster.

Restoration Seed Bank

Ecological restoration is needed at a global scale to safeguard and restore biodiversity and ensure the survival of the ecosystems we depend on. There is a global movement to act quickly to restore habitats locally across the globe, and in most places there isn’t enough native seed available. There is much to learn about how to collect, store, and grow native seeds at the large scale needed to meet the needs of our region, and small farmers are key to this expanding practice and market. Our Restoration Accelerator™ program is directly addressing this program by collecting seeds of common native plants important for ecological restoration, developing protocols for seed storage, germination, and cultivation, and partnering with local farmers to increase seed available for restoration. Restoration Accelerator™ seed collectors work with landowners to secure permission to collect, and carefully track sources so restoration projects can use locally native plants.

Seeds for Home Gardens

Our Horticulture staff collect seeds of common plants to grow plants for our plant sales at Nasami Farm and Garden in the Woods. From spring through late fall, we offer locally native plants grown by our Horticulture team and by partner nurseries.

Support

Native Plant Trust

Help restore, protect, and promote native plants in landscapes that benefit pollinators and the entire web of life needed for a healthy environment.

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