NATIONAL SEED STRATEGY - for Rehabilitation and Restoration 2015-2020
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NATIONAL SEED STRATEGY
for Rehabilitation
and Restoration
2015–2020
The Plant Conservation Alliance (PCA) is a public-private partnership of organizations that share the same goal: to protect native plants by ensuring that native plant populations and their communities are maintained, enhanced, and restored. The PCA Federal Committee, chaired by the Bureau of Land Management, developed the “National Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration 2015-2020” in cooperation with Federal and non-Federal partners. For more information on the Plant Conservation Alliance and its members and activities, please visit http://www.blm.gov/pca. Copies of this publication may be obtained online at www.blm.gov/seedstrategy. BLM/WO/GI-15/012+7400
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Goal 3: Develop Tools that Enable Managers to
Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Make Timely, Informed Seeding Decisions for
The Four Goals of the “National Seed Strategy for Ecological Restoration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Rehabilitation and Restoration” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Background/Rationale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Background and Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Objective 3.1: Develop Training Programs for
Strategy Vision and Mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Practitioners, Producers, and Stakeholders
Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 on the Use of Genetically Appropriate Seed
Mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 for Restoration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Guiding Values and Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Objective 3.2: Develop Native Seed Source
Goal 1: Identify Seed Needs, and Ensure Availability Data and Tools for Accessing
the Reliable Availability of Genetically the Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Appropriate Seed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Objective 3.3: Integrate and Develop Science
Background/Rationale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Delivery Tools to Support Restoration
Objective 1.1: Assess the Seed Needs of Federal Project Development and
Agencies and the Capacity of Private and Implementation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Federal Producers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Objective 3.4: Build on Ecological Assessments
Objective 1.2: Assess Capacity and Needs and Disturbance Data, and Provide Training
of Tribes, States, Private Sector Seed that will Allow Managers to Anticipate
Producers, Nurseries, and Needs and Establish Spatially-Explicit
Other Partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Contingency Strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Objective 1.3: Increase the Supply and Goal 4: Develop Strategies for Internal and
Reliable Availability of Genetically External Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Appropriate Seed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Background/Rationale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Goal 2: Identify Research Needs and Conduct Objective 4.1: External Communications:
Research to Provide Genetically Appropriate Conduct Education and Outreach
Seed and to Improve Technology for Native through the Plant Conservation
Seed Production and Ecosystem Alliance Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Restoration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Objective 4.2: Internal Communications:
Background/Rationale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Distribute and Implement the Strategy
Objective 2.1: Characterize Genetic Variation Across Agencies, and Provide
of Restoration Species to Delineate Seed Feedback Mechanisms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Zones, and Provide Seed Transfer Objective 4.3: Report Progress, Recognize
Guidelines for Current and Projected Achievements, and Revise Strategy . . . . . . . . . . 36
Future Environmental Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Literature Cited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Objective 2.2: Conduct Species-Specific Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Research to Provide Seed Technology, Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Storage, and Production Protocols for Appendix: Action Summary Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Restoration Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Organization Acronyms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Objective 2.3: Conduct Research on Plant Goal 1 Summary Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Establishment, Species Interactions, Goal 2 Summary Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
and Ecological Restoration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Goal 3 Summary Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Objective 2.4: Develop or Modify Monitoring Goal 4 Summary Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Techniques, and Investigate Long-Term
Restoration Impacts and Outcomes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
NATIONAL SEED STRATEGY for Rehabilitation and Restoration | 2015–2020 i
ii NATIONAL SEED STRATEGY for Rehabilitation and Restoration | 2015–2020
INTRODUCTION
In 2012, more than 2 million acres of important of native seed collectors, a network of farmers
sagebrush habitat burned in four Western States. and growers working to develop seed, a network
In the East, Hurricane Sandy caused not only of nurseries and seed storage facilities to supply
widespread damage to homes and businesses, but adequate quantities of appropriate seed, and a
also to native plant communities that stabilized soils network of restoration ecologists who know how to
and filtered water. Three years later, many of these put the right seed in the right place at the right time.
eastern and western lands are still in need of basic
stabilization, rehabilitation, or other restoration Achieving this will require additional investments,
treatments. research, improved decision tools, and enhanced
communication. But most importantly, successful
The “National Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and implementation of this Strategy will require the
Restoration 2015-2020” (Strategy) will provide active participation of a diverse set of public and
a more coordinated approach for stabilization, private partners. Increased coordination is vital to
rehabilitation, and restoration treatments. It accelerate the pace and scale of restoration and
provides a framework for actively working with the provide native plant materials when and where
private sector in order to build a “seed industry” for they are needed. To that end, this Strategy will help
rehabilitation and restoration. This will help address coordinate the efforts of tribal, state, Federal, local,
future challenges so that we, as a Nation, will be and private entities to restore plant communities
better prepared to respond appropriately to large- that have been altered by natural or human-caused
scale disturbances and other stressors that threaten events.
important plant communities and the ecosystem
services they provide on Federal, state, local, and This Strategy recognizes the importance of healthy
private land. These stressors include the spread native plant communities as an essential foundation
of invasive plant species, altered wildfire regimes, for ecosystem integrity and diversity. Healthy native
habitat modification, land overuse, and climate plant communities create habitat for animals;
change. provide ecosystem services that sustain people,
their communities, and their economies; and have
This Strategy also provides guidance for, and intrinsic and irreplaceable biotic value that will
implements a number of, major national initiatives, become increasingly important in the future.
such as the President’s Climate Action Plan; National
Fish, Wildlife & Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy Restoring native plant communities on a landscape
(NFWPCAP 2012); National Strategy to Promote scale poses special challenges. Land managers
the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators must often replant large acreages quickly to avoid
(Pollinator Health Task Force 2015); Department severe erosion or colonization by nonnative invasive
of the Interior (DOI) Secretarial Orders 3330 on plants. Adding to the challenges are the expense
mitigation and 3336 on rangeland fire; and Executive and difficulty of obtaining and delivering adequate
Order 13112 on invasive species. quantities of appropriate seed to meet the need,
which is often difficult to predict. This seed must be
Success on a national scale will be achieved through available for use at the right time and in the right
coordinated establishment of a nationwide network place.
NATIONAL SEED STRATEGY for Rehabilitation and Restoration | 2015–2020 1
To the extent practicable,
utilize locally-adapted
seeds and native plant
materials appropriate to
the location, conditions,
and management
objectives for vegetation
management and
restoration activities,
including strategic
sourcing for acquiring,
storing, and utilizing
genetically-appropriate The Departments of Agriculture and the Interior shall
seeds and other plant establish a reserve of native seed mixes, including
pollinator-friendly plants, for use on post-fire
materials native to
rehabilitation projects and other restoration activities.
the sagebrush-steppe
ecosystem.
PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM:
SECRETARIAL ORDER NO. 3336 Creating a Federal Strategy to Promote the Health
Rangeland Fire Prevention, Management of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators, June 20, 2014
and Restoration, January 5, 2015
As the lead agency on the Plant Conservation
Great strides have been made in developing Alliance (PCA) Federal Committee, the Bureau of
seed reserves and infrastructure to support land Land Management (BLM) worked closely with the
managers. However, there is a need for more PCA and others to develop this Strategy. The goals
coordinated and focused research, development, and objectives resulted from the June 2014 Seed
and technology transfer to provide genetically Conference held in Washington, D.C., that brought
appropriate seed and seedlings for stabilizing and together Federal agency leadership. The PCA is an
restoring damaged and degraded areas. Genetically umbrella organization of 12 Federal agencies and
appropriate plant materials are environmentally more than 300 non-Federal partners who work
adapted to a restoration site and are likely to together to conserve and restore native plant
establish, survive, and promote community and populations and communities across the United
ecological relationships. In addition, more stringent States.
assessment is needed for determining seed quality,
and seed suppliers need to be encouraged to This Strategy builds on the achievements and
continue producing high-quality seed in agricultural progress made through efforts such as the BLM’s
settings while maintaining genetic diversity. The interagency Native Plant Materials Development
use of high-quality, genetically appropriate seed, Program (including Seeds of Success), the U.S.
along with improved restoration equipment and Forest Service’s Native Plant Restoration Program,
methodologies, will result in more successful the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Plant
restoration of plant communities. The transition to Materials Program that includes 27 plant materials
a reliance on native plant materials will be guided centers from Hawaii and Alaska to New Jersey and
by coordinated efforts in fundamental and applied Florida established in 1935 to address the needs
research. This strategy envisions that the collective described in this strategy, the Agricultural Research
resources of participating agencies could support Service’s National Plant Germplasm System, and
basic science needs of all the partners. In addition, other public/private efforts to conserve native plant
new decision support tools and monitoring diversity.
applications will aid managers throughout the
restoration process from planning through The PCA Federal Committee is developing a
implementation to effectiveness monitoring. business plan to accompany this Strategy. This
2 NATIONAL SEED STRATEGY for Rehabilitation and Restoration | 2015–2020
business plan will not create a government-run seed restoration. Use of genetically appropriate plant
business. It will include anticipated costs of Strategy materials is encouraged; however, this Strategy does
implementation so that Federal partners can develop not preclude the use of nonnative plant materials
an interagency budget initiative and so that non- where they are appropriate.
Federal partners can determine opportunities to
raise non-Federal funds to support the Strategy’s With almost 30 percent of U.S. lands under
work. Federal management, this Strategy encourages
large-scale habitat restoration on Federal lands;
however, smaller scale restoration will benefit
Scope from large-scale public investment in commercial
native seed production. Ultimately, this Strategy
will benefit U.S. landscapes by recognizing and
This Strategy is national in scope and engages both supporting the ecosystem services provided by
Federal and non-Federal partners working toward plant communities such as clean air, clean water,
restoration on public, tribal, state, municipal, and temperature regulation, and carbon storage. The
private lands. While the Strategy will be renewed in Strategy also supports additional benefits of healthy
5-year cycles, its actions will affect landscapes and plant communities such as aesthetics, recreational
habitats far into the future. The plants of interest opportunities, food, fiber, and potential commercial
are forbs (wildflowers), shrubs, and grasses that are products, as well as habitat for other organisms and
used in ecological restoration. The Strategy does not species, from pollinators to game species.
address federally or state-listed species, rare endemic
plants, or commercial timber species. Products and One outcome of the Strategy is the creation of a
collaborations developed through the Strategy national network of native seed reserves and storage
will help land managers select appropriate plant facilities (Federal, tribal, state, local, and private
materials to use in public and private ecological facilities) that would serve all partners and provide
restoration efforts at all scales. storage capabilities. This network would support
the 2014 Presidential Memorandum on pollinators
The Strategy aims to provide all land managers— and help increase the availability of native seed to a
Federal, tribal, state, county, private, and broader user base.
nongovernmental organization—the tools they need
to address ecological restoration across the United This Strategy does not set agency policy—many
States. The Strategy seeks to develop seed and other agencies have different authorizing legislation or
plant materials1 that will meet long-term goals to charters, missions, and policies—but it supports the
maintain and improve the biological and physical science and values the use of native plant materials
conditions at a site, ranging from reclamation to in land management activities.
1
The term “plant materials” encompasses seed as well as
other plant materials, including seedlings and container
stock.
NATIONAL SEED STRATEGY for Rehabilitation and Restoration | 2015–2020 3
THE FOUR GOALS
of the “National Seed Strategy for
Rehabilitation and Restoration”
GOAL 1 GOAL 2
Identify research needs and conduct
research to provide genetically
Identify seed needs, and ensure the appropriate seed and to improve
reliable availability of genetically technology for native seed production
appropriate seed. and ecosystem restoration.
GOAL 3 GOAL 4
Develop tools that enable managers
to make timely, informed seeding Develop strategies for internal and
decisions for ecological restoration. external communication.
4 NATIONAL SEED STRATEGY for Rehabilitation and Restoration | 2015–2020
Native plant communities, especially
those containing perennial native
grasses and forbs essential to ecosystem
integrity and diversity, provide ecosystem
services that sustain wildlife, such
as greater sage-grouse and native
pollinators. Perennial grasses are the
best competitors with invasive annual
grasses and promote resilience. A reliable
supply of genetically appropriate and
locally adapted seed, as well as seeding
technology and equipment, is needed
for effective restoration of the sagebrush-
steppe ecosystem.
“An Integrated Rangeland Fire Management Strategy,”
Final Report to the Secretary of the Interior, May 2015
NATIONAL SEED STRATEGY for Rehabilitation and Restoration | 2015–2020 5
6 NATIONAL SEED STRATEGY for Rehabilitation and Restoration | 2015–2020
BACKGROUND
AND DEVELOPMENT
The critical shortage of native plant materials Program and Native Plant Restoration Program. For
available for seeding following the extensive example, provisional and species-specific seed zones
wildfires of 1999 and 2000 led Congress to direct the are increasingly being used to guide the selection
BLM and U.S. Forest Service to facilitate development of genetically appropriate seed for ecological
of a long-term program to provide a stable and restoration projects, thereby increasing the potential
economical supply of native plant materials for for success (Rogers and Montalvo 2004; Johnson
restoration and rehabilitation efforts on public lands et al. 2010). The National Vegetation Classification,
(USC HR 2000). The U.S. Forest Service and BLM adopted by the Federal Geographic Data Committee,
responded to this by establishing the Native Plant provides a standard approach to describe plant
Restoration Program and the Native Plant Materials species assemblages throughout the Nation in the
Development Program. The immediate focus was full range of environmental settings (FGDC 2008).
to increase the availability of diverse native plant Seed production research has provided agricultural
materials and to foster more efficient management practices for growing a wider array of restoration
of that supply. species, while improved equipment, seeding and
planting technologies, and decision tools provide
The fiscal year 2002 House report on appropriations users with greater flexibility when dealing with
for the Department of the Interior (USDI) and related complex seeding mixes and site conditions (DOI BLM
agencies reiterated Congress’ order to the agencies 2009). Importantly, Seeds of Success collection teams
to “continue to implement the long-term program have made more than 15,000 native seed collections
to manage and supply native plant materials for use covering more than 5,000 taxa for use in developing
in various Federal land management restoration native seed crops and ex situ conservation (Haidet
and rehabilitation needs” (USC HR 2001). In April and Olwell 2015).
2002, the DOI and U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) issued the “Report to the Congress: Multiple agencies (Federal, state, tribal, and local),
Interagency Program to Supply and Manage Native nongovernmental organizations, private sector
Plant Materials for Restoration and Rehabilitation industries, and universities are collaborating through
on Federal Lands” (DOI & USDA 2002), which ecoregional programs to provide plant materials
called for a commitment to native plant materials suitable for restoration in specific ecoregions. The
research, production, and use that included a Great Basin Native Plant Project led by the U.S. Forest
recommendation for financial and organizational Service and BLM, for example, was established
support from the DOI and USDA. In this report, the in 2002 (Shaw et al. 2012). Its goal is to increase
DOI and USDA also stated their intent to improve seed availability and develop the knowledge and
and expand partnerships in cooperation with the technology to restore native plant communities
private seed and nursery industry, develop and across millions of acres of burned lands, with a
enhance science delivery to practitioners, and focus on restoring native sagebrush habitat and
expand outreach and education to the general increasing native forb production. Partners in the
public. Colorado Plateau (Wood et al. 2015), Mojave Desert,
and Pacific Northwest (Riley et al. 2015; Erickson
The agencies have made great achievements since 2008) are conducting similar programs. Through
establishing the Native Plant Materials Development BLM ecoregional programs alone, seed from more
NATIONAL SEED STRATEGY for Rehabilitation and Restoration | 2015–2020 7than 200 native plant populations have been made and staff to initiate discussions on development of a
available for restoration projects, conservation gene national seed strategy to address long-term goals for
banking, and commercial markets (DOI BLM 2009). the program. The PCA Federal Committee served as
To ensure coverage across the United States, these or the steering committee for this Strategy. Members
similar programs will need to be established in areas of this committee, or their representatives, worked
of the U.S. where they currently do not exist. with agency experts on the seed supply, research,
decision tools, and communication teams to further
Achievement of the long-term goals of the Native develop priority objectives under the four goals
Plant Materials Development Program will require and collaborative actions for accomplishing these
an even greater commitment to collaboration objectives and to better describe outcomes.
across agencies and with other partners to share
expertise and facilities and to produce and use plant Implementation of this Strategy will enhance
materials more efficiently. Leaders of the 12 Federal coordination and forge strong partnerships among
agencies of the PCA met in Washington, D.C., in June agencies, tribes, states, and nongovernmental
2014 to celebrate 20 years of plant conservation organizations, as well as with the private seed and
collaboration and to renew the memorandum of nursery industry. Such partnerships are vital to the
understanding that established the partnership. success of ecological restoration efforts throughout
The meeting provided a forum for agency leaders the United States.
8 NATIONAL SEED STRATEGY for Rehabilitation and Restoration | 2015–2020STRATEGY
VISION AND MISSION
Vision
The right seed in the right place at the right time.
Mission
To ensure the availability of genetically appropriate
seed to restore viable and productive plant
communities and sustainable ecosystems.
NATIONAL SEED STRATEGY for Rehabilitation and Restoration | 2015–2020 910 NATIONAL SEED STRATEGY for Rehabilitation and Restoration | 2015–2020
GUIDING VALUES
AND PRINCIPLES
Native plant communities provide ecosystem Interagency collaboration is essential to advance
services that sustain people, communities, and ecological management and research activities,
their economies. reduce costs, and avoid duplication.
Native plant communities are key to ecosystem Non-Federal partners, such as tribes, states, and
integrity and resilience, and they provide private sector and nonprofit organizations, make
essential habitat and food sources for wildlife, important and valuable contributions to the
including pollinators. development of native seed.
Native plant communities have intrinsic and The Strategy recognizes the value of using the
irreplaceable biotic value that will become native seed bank that exists in the soil; not all
increasingly important in the future. disturbances require active reseeding to restore
habitat.
Native seed is a critical natural resource asset
that deserves greater recognition in light of the The Strategy recognizes the value of partnering
ecological challenges of the 21st century. with a diverse group of stakeholders.
Native, locally adapted seed sources are vital Strategy participants support opportunities to:
for restoration and management because they
reflect the evolutionary and adaptive capability • Maintain or increase the number of acres of native
of plants in an area. plant communities that provide ecosystem services.
• Include Federal, tribal, state, and local governments;
Native plants, including crop wild relatives, academic institutions; nonprofits; and the private
contain unique properties, and the full benefit of sector when addressing restoration issues.
these may not yet be recognized but should be
preserved for future generations. • Improve the availability of genetically appropriate
seed required to restore healthy native plant
communities and support other uses.
Botanical, ecological, and genetic scientific
expertise plays a vital role in providing • Develop strategies and tools for conducting more
information to support and guide ecological effective restoration.
restoration.
• Promote research, science delivery, and education
Nonnative species and cultivars may be used required to meet new restoration challenges
imposed by increasing threats.
to achieve site stabilization, wildfire breaks,
or invasive plant control. Their use should be • Communicate the value of native plant communities
limited to transitional, noninvasive species, and restoration to stakeholders and the general
replaced by natives in subsequent ecological public.
restoration or during natural successional
processes.
NATIONAL SEED STRATEGY for Rehabilitation and Restoration | 2015–2020 1112 NATIONAL SEED STRATEGY for Rehabilitation and Restoration | 2015–2020
GOAL 1
Identify Seed Needs, and Ensure the Reliable
Availability of Genetically Appropriate Seed
Background/ Objective
Rationale 1.1
The ability of land managers to respond effectively Assess the Seed Needs of Federal
to both emergency and planned restoration Agencies and the Capacity of Private
needs—and to advance ecological management
and research activities—is highly dependent on the
and Federal Producers
reliable availability of genetically appropriate seed. Increasing Federal agency use of native conservation
This requires comprehensive and integrated seed seed will stimulate seed supply and also help
planning and production, as well as seed storage smaller organizations and private landowners access
systems that provide sufficient quantities of suitable more native plant materials. Actions under this
plant materials when and where they are needed. objective will lead to a better understanding of the
Actions under this goal will assess seed needs and overall capacity of Federal agencies to meet their
fulfillment capacities, with an eye toward targeting stabilization, rehabilitation, and restoration needs
infrastructure investments, increasing coordinated with native plant materials. The assessment will
wildland seed collection and field production, and capture those needs that relate to current priorities
expanding cooperation and partnerships within and for pollinators and climate change adaptation, as
among public and private sectors. Increased financial well as projections for both planned restoration
and organizational support for achieving this work is and emergency response. After the initial baseline
essential, as is coordinating and communicating with assessment, agencies may repeat a revised needs
the private seed industry. A number of actions in and capacity assessment every 5 years to provide
Goal 1 will inform actions in Goals 2 and 3. measures of progress and inform priorities over
time as recommended under Objective 4.3 (Report
Progress, Recognize Achievements, and Revise
Strategy).
This objective also aims to evaluate existing
databases and reporting systems that can contribute
to the seed needs and capacity planning processes.
In the long-term (beyond 5-year timeframe), this
objective will seek to assess the conservation value
of existing collections (i.e., the genetic diversity
captured by current accessions) and take steps to
correct deficiencies.
NATIONAL SEED STRATEGY for Rehabilitation and Restoration | 2015–2020 13Action 1.1.1 Conduct an COORDINATING AGENCIES: Bureau of Land Management,
assessment of seed needs for all U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service,
Federal agencies and their offices U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Indian Affairs,
that provide or use seed. U.S. Forest Service, National Institute of Food and
Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Natural
This assessment will capture the types and quantities Resources Conservation Service
OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Connecticut Department of
of seed each Federal agency needs on an ecoregional
Energy and Environmental Protection – Natural Diversity
basis for its restoration projects, including those Data Base
targeting pollinator habitat enhancement to comply
with the Presidential Memorandum on pollinators. Action 1.1.3 Identify existing
Agencies should seek to include all relevant program Federal seed and restoration
areas and field offices that provide or use seed. policies and guidance.
TARGET YEARS: 2015-2016
COORDINATING AGENCIES: Bureau of Land Management, This action will ensure that the Strategy captures
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, all current Federal policies related to development
U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and use of plant materials and restoration. Outputs
U.S. Forest Service, National Institute of Food and for this action will include identification of plant
Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Natural and restoration policy compatibilities, gaps, and
Resources Conservation Service challenges across Federal agencies. This action
OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Connecticut Department of Energy provides information for actions in Goal 4, as well.
and Environmental Protection – Natural Diversity
Data Base TARGET YEARS: 2015-2020
COORDINATING AGENCIES: Bureau of Land Management,
Action 1.1.2 Identify and inventory U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service,
agency and private sector seed U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Indian Affairs,
collections, nurseries, and storage U.S. Forest Service, National Institute of Food and
capacity. Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Natural
Resources Conservation Service, Federal Highway
This action will identify existing agency seed Administration
supplies and related staff, nurseries, storage OTHER PARTICIPANTS: To be determined
facilities, tools, equipment, and costs. It will seek
information specifically on seed supplies that help Action 1.1.4 Analyze results of
resist nonnative plant competition and that provide needs and capacity assessment to
habitat for at-risk species, including pollinators. It determine if current Federal policies,
will also identify strengths and weaknesses in seed seed collections, and storage and
production and facilities networks and needs for production facilities meet agency
new infrastructure, staffing, and training. Production needs.
and facilities networks include nurseries, seed Reviewing results to determine strengths and
extractories, plant materials centers, and seed correct weaknesses in Federal seed systems should
production and storage facilities, some of which may lead to specific actions to improve proactive short-
be held by non-Federal partners (see Action 1.2.1). and long-term planning capabilities and to ensure
agency staffing can respond to projected restoration
Within this action, agencies will identify policies,
needs within the third year of implementing
guidance, or publications that inform management
the Strategy. Seed and capacity needs could be
practices for seed collection and production
prioritized by habitat (e.g., for species such as
methods. Within the second year of implementing
pollinators and sage-grouse) and/or by seed zone.
this action, Strategy implementers will have
identified and catalogued agency infrastructure and Other results of this action would include the
will have evaluated databases and reporting systems creation of a map of agency production and
for seed use, seed inventory, and field performance storage facilities, the evaluation of investment
monitoring. needs and seed use policies, and the discussion of
TARGET YEARS: 2015-2016 concerns and benefits related to the use of native
14 NATIONAL SEED STRATEGY for Rehabilitation and Restoration | 2015–2020plant materials. Actions to address deficiencies
should be incorporated under actions identified
under Objectives 1.2 and 1.3, and other goals, as Objective
appropriate.
TARGET YEARS: 2016-2017
COORDINATING AGENCIES: Bureau of Land Management,
1.2
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Assess Capacity and Needs of Tribes,
U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Indian Affairs,
U.S. Forest Service, National Institute of Food and States, Private Sector Seed Producers,
Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Natural Nurseries, and Other Partners
Resources Conservation Service, Federal Highway
Administration To achieve this objective, agencies will work with
OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Institute for Applied Ecology tribal, state, private sector, and nonprofit partners
and agricultural extension offices to assess non-
Action 1.1.5 Analyze results of
Federal-sector interest in and capacity to collect
assessment of restoration policies,
and produce native seed. Results of this objective
and develop a comprehensive
may lead to expanded contractor pools, changes in
restoration program with consistent
contract specifications and timelines to minimize risk
funding to restore native plant
and uncertainty, creation of an annual seed forum,
communities on a landscape scale
or the organization of field tours to grower farms.
across public lands.
Accomplishing this objective may require identifying
a regional liaison to work with farmers and seed
Using the output from Action 1.1.3, review results
producers to provide mechanisms for regular
of assessment of restoration policies to determine
communications regarding Federal seed needs, to
strengths and correct weaknesses in Federal
assist with equipment needs, and to help producers
restoration policies and to determine agency
navigate the Federal procurement system.
staffing so they can respond to projected restoration
needs within the third year of implementing the
Strategy. Other results of this action would include Action 1.2.1 Conduct a needs and
the development of a restoration program with capacity assessment of tribal, state,
consistent funding to consistently buy native local, private sector, and nonprofit
seed for restoring native plant communities on a seed storage and distribution
landscape scale. Actions to address deficiencies facilities.
should be incorporated under actions identified
under Objectives 1.2 and 1.3, and other goals, as This assessment will capture the seed production
appropriate. and storage capacity of non-Federal entities. This
action will require collaboration with partners who
TARGET YEARS: 2017-2018 can work with key sectors to obtain the necessary
COORDINATING AGENCIES: Bureau of Land Management, information. Guidance developed to implement this
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, action should also elicit information on growers’
U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Indian Affairs, expertise and ability to provide training about
U.S. Forest Service, National Institute of Food and tools, techniques, and capacity for seed collection;
Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Natural germination; and establishment of native plant
Resources Conservation Service communities. This assessment can also elicit
OTHER PARTICPANTS: NatureServe
information on states’ capacities to certify location
and origin, and it should gather information on
procurement processes. Upon obtaining collaborator
input, discrete milestones should be identified for
anticipated achievements within each of the first 5
years of implementing the Strategy.
TARGET YEARS: 2015-2020
NATIONAL SEED STRATEGY for Rehabilitation and Restoration | 2015–2020 15COORDINATING AGENCIES: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Action 1.2.3 Analyze results of
Natural Resources Conservation Service non-Federal needs and capacity
OTHER PARTICIPANTS: American Seed Trade Association, assessment to determine if current
Botanic Gardens Conservation International, Florida seed collections, as well as storage
Association of Native Nurseries, Lady Bird Johnson
and production facilities, meet
Wildflower Center, Mid-Atlantic Regional Seed Bank, New
England Wild Flower Society
restoration needs.
Reviewing results to determine strengths and
Action 1.2.2 Work collaboratively challenges in non-Federal seed systems will lead
with private seed producers, to a better understanding of the non-Federal seed
nurseries, and other partners to system capabilities. This review can inform agencies
leverage strengths and address on how they could work with non-Federal partners
deficiencies in the distribution to improve availability of seed in non-Federal
and availability of genetically systems.
appropriate seed.
Actions to address deficiencies should be
This action will identify training needs and incorporated under actions identified under
opportunities, such as working with seed producers Objective 1.3, and other goals, as appropriate.
to assist with smaller scale, niche market seed
TARGET YEARS: 2016-2017
production. This action should also explore COORDINATING AGENCIES: Bureau of Land Management,
promoting a seed market system that is responsive U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service,
to regional native seed needs of the agencies (see U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Objective 1.3). This action should result in a regular U.S. Forest Service, National Institute of Food and
assessment of collaboration efforts that can be Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Natural
summarized and shared. Outcomes under this action Resources Conservation Service, Federal Highway
might include identifying mechanisms to increase Administration
collaboration by 2017 and to overcome any barriers OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Botanic Gardens Conservation
to collaboration with the private sector by 2020. International, Institute for Applied Ecology, Lady Bird
Johnson Wildflower Center
TARGET YEARS: 2015-2020
COORDINATING AGENCIES: Bureau of Land Management,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service,
U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Indian Affairs,
U.S. Forest Service, National Institute of Food and
Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Natural
Resources Conservation Service
OTHER PARTICIPANTS: American Seed Trade Association,
Applied Ecological Services/Taylor Creek Restoration
Nurseries, Botanic Gardens Conservation International,
Florida Association of Native Nurseries, Institute for
Applied Ecology, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center,
Mid-Atlantic Regional Seed Bank, NatureServe
16 NATIONAL SEED STRATEGY for Rehabilitation and Restoration | 2015–2020by seed zones and will increase the use of genetically
Objective appropriate seed in both emergency and planned
restoration. This action will build upon research
emanating from other Strategy actions, such as
1.3 Action 2.1.1 (Conduct genetic research to develop
seed zones for key restoration species.), and may
include coordinating multiagency procurement
Increase the Supply and Reliable planning and seed sharing, where appropriate.
Availability of Genetically
Appropriate Seed Existing regional seed banking networks between
growers and end users, such as the Deschutes Basin
The actions under this objective will require an Native Plant Seedbank, U.S. Forest Service Northern
analysis of the seed needs and capacity assessments Region seed cache, and Mid-Atlantic Regional Seed
completed under Objectives 1.1 and 1.2. Achieving Bank, may serve as models for accomplishing this
these actions should include setting goals for goal. This action should include considerations for
increasing collection, cleaning, testing, storage, and creating (or improving) a national online database
application capacity. Accordingly, implementation that provides source-identified seed availability.
needs should set goals for achieving these Note: Some databases already exist, as informed by
milestones under each action. Action 1.1.1.
Action 1.3.1 Expand and improve TARGET YEARS: 2015-2020
facilities and plant production COORDINATING AGENCIES: Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Bureau of Land Management, National Institute of Food
capacity.
and Agriculture, National Park Service, Natural Resources
Conservation Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S.
This action draws from the capacity and needs
Forest Service
assessments and will result in adequate facilities, OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Chicago Botanic Garden, Florida
seed reserves, and plant production capacity to Association of Native Nurseries, Mid-Atlantic Regional
meet seed needs. It will target expansion and Seed Bank, New England Wild Flower Society
improvement of Federal and non-Federal capacity
and will also encourage the commercial seed Action 1.3.3 Assess and implement
industry to enhance capacity, if necessary. This may alternative seed production
include new processes to streamline planning and methods for “workhorse” shrub
increase coordination for collecting, propagating, species to augment wildland seed
and sharing seed among the agencies, possibly collection.
through a memorandum of understanding by 2020.
TARGET YEARS: 2015-2020
This action aims to increase the supply of genetically
COORDINATING AGENCIES: Bureau of Indian Affairs,
appropriate shrub seed. Alternatives might include
Bureau of Land Management, National Institute of Food
and Agriculture, National Park Service, Natural Resources creation of shrub orchards (e.g., sagebrush or
Conservation Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. bitterbrush) or protection of wildland or private
Forest Service land stands for commercial seed harvesting. Best
OTHER PARTICIPANTS: American Seed Trade Association, management practices may need to be developed to
Chicago Botanic Garden, Florida Association of Native preclude damage to wildland populations.
Nurseries
TARGET YEARS: 2015-2020
COORDINATING AGENCIES: Bureau of Land Management,
Action 1.3.2 Improve agency and National Institute of Food and Agriculture, National Park
partner capability to plan for seed Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service
needs by seed zone. OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Chicago Botanic Garden, Lady Bird
Johnson Wildflower Center
This action will increase planning and coordination
by agencies and external partners in collecting,
propagating, procuring, and sharing plant materials
NATIONAL SEED STRATEGY for Rehabilitation and Restoration | 2015–2020 17Action 1.3.4 Expand collection,
conservation, and assessment of
native plant genetic resources
for use now and into the future
through Seeds of Success and other
complementary efforts.
This action will lead to field collections of seed
that represent the genetic diversity of species
populations for use in seed zone development,
seed production, restoration, research, breeding,
and conservation. It will include training collection
teams on seed collection methods to ensure the
genetic diversity within species is collected. The
outcome would be the conservation, assessment,
and distribution of genetic resources for research
purposes through the Agricultural Research Service’s
National Plant Germplasm System (and other Action 1.3.5 Engage Federal
agencies and institutions) and restoration purposes procurement specialists to assess
through regional seed banks, such as the Mid- current contracting regulations and
Atlantic Regional Seed Bank. practices to identify strengths and
take actions to correct deficiencies.
This action will also identify in situ reserve areas
important for native plants, such as wilderness This action should explore how existing
areas and research natural areas. It would include procurement practices (e.g., reacting to fires)
improving agency permitting for seed collection on may contribute to price fluctuations and seed
Federal lands, writing best management practices demand due to unpredictability in wildfires and
for seed collection, and potentially developing other impacts to the land. This action should result
programmatic National Environmental Policy Act in improved mechanisms for coordination and
documents to streamline the permit process, where communication between the Federal Government
needed. and the commercial seed industry to encourage
the commercial seed industry to meet seed
This action may consider whether or how to needs (e.g., indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity
prioritize germplasm collection for species based contract, blanket purchase agreement, permitting
on potential use (e.g., crop wild relatives) and rarity, practices). Additional deliverables under this action
including salvage of seed material prior to activities may include developing a planning framework
that will damage the landscape. One tool resulting to deliver seed for emergency stabilization and
from this action could be a database that tracks seed burned area rehabilitation and providing training
collection sites on Federal lands. to small business owners on navigating the Federal
procurement system. Strategy implementers can also
TARGET YEARS: 2015-2020
examine procurement staffing and training needs
COORDINATING AGENCIES: Agricultural Research Service,
Bureau of Land Management, National Institute of Food under this action.
and Agriculture, National Park Service, Natural Resources
Conservation Service, Smithsonian Institution, U.S. Fish TARGET YEARS: 2015-2017
and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service COORDINATING AGENCIES: Bureau of Land Management,
OTHER PARTICIPANTS: American Public Gardens National Institute of Food and Agriculture, National Park
Association, Botanic Gardens Conservation International, Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service
Chicago Botanic Garden, Denver Botanic Gardens, Lady OTHER PARTICIPANTS: American Seed Trade Association,
Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, NatureServe Florida Association of Native Nurseries, Institute for
Applied Ecology, Mid-Atlantic Regional Seed Bank
18 NATIONAL SEED STRATEGY for Rehabilitation and Restoration | 2015–2020GOAL 2
Identify Research Needs and Conduct Research to Provide
Genetically Appropriate Seed and to Improve Technology for
Native Seed Production and Ecosystem Restoration
Background/ Objective
Rationale 2.1
The use of native plants to restore disturbed Characterize Genetic Variation of
communities is essential to provide diversity,
improve ecosystem functioning, facilitate adaptation
Restoration Species to Delineate Seed
to climate change, and meet management Zones, and Provide Seed Transfer
objectives. To ensure that adapted plant materials Guidelines for Current and Projected
are available to provide long-term sustainability, Future Environmental Conditions
additional research is required. This includes
developing and testing seed zones; developing Because seed zones and seed transfer guidelines
reliable protocols for seed testing, storage, and are lacking for most noncommercial species,
production; and defining effective restoration research is urgently needed to aid managers in
strategies and monitoring systems. Under the selecting genetically appropriate seed materials for
following objectives and actions, agencies will restoration. Improving plant material availability
assess research priorities in each of these areas in entails collaboration among land managers within
order to provide the knowledge, plant materials, ecoregions, seed zones, mapped vegetation types,
and technology essential for conducting fully or other biogeographical areas to identify key
functioning plant materials programs where restoration species, including those currently in use,
needed. Accomplishing these actions will entail and additional species required to meet restoration
collaboration among managers, scientists, seed and management goals. Actions within this goal
regulatory agencies, and the private sector seed will foster the research needed to further refine
industry. It will be essential to have agency support climate-based provisional seed zones used for the
for targeted research projects. Outcomes of research many species for which genetic data is lacking. For
will contribute to development of decision tools as widespread, commonly used restoration species,
described in Goal 3. studies of genetic variation are required to develop
empirical seed zones and seed transfer guidelines.
Models based on these research results can be
used to predict climate change effects on plant
distributions and inform restoration efforts.
NATIONAL SEED STRATEGY for Rehabilitation and Restoration | 2015–2020 19Action 2.1.1 Conduct genetic
research to develop seed zones for
key restoration species.
Objective
Key restoration species collaboratively identified by 2.2
managers and researchers will determine priorities
for the development of empirical (species-specific) Conduct Species-Specific Research to
seed zones. For these species, this would entail
common garden and reciprocal transplant studies to Provide Seed Technology, Storage, and
identify adaptive plant traits for use in empirical seed Production Protocols for Restoration
zones. Species
TARGET YEARS: 2015-2020 Reliable species-specific protocols are required for
COORDINATING AGENCIES: Bureau of Land Management,
evaluating seed quality and maintaining viability of
National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Natural
seed in storage if seed reserves are to be available
Resources Conservation Service/Plant Materials Centers,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. when needed. Similarly, guidelines for producing
Geological Survey seed of restoration species, particularly native
OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Botanic Gardens Conservation forbs, in agricultural settings are required to reduce
International, Chicago Botanic Garden, Denver Botanic economic risks to growers. Accomplishing this action
Gardens, Great Basin Research Center, Institute for will require that research needs be identified and
Applied Ecology, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, prioritized by users, growers, seed analysts, and
Mid-Atlantic Regional Seed Bank, NatureServe, New others and communicated to seed technologists and
England Wild Flower Society, Utah Department of Natural agronomists having appropriate areas of expertise
Resources, universities
(e.g., seed biology and technology, crop science,
pollinator biology, soil science). Federal liaisons to
Action 2.1.2 Develop predictive
private sector growers, as recommended under
models of climate change effects
Objective 1.2, could provide coordination for this
on target restoration species and
process. Outcomes will include additions to the
genetic diversity using 20-year or
Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA) Rules for
mid-century climate models.
Testing Seeds, guidance for construction of regional
and local storage facilities, and improved equipment
Predictive models of climate change effects are
and technology for native seed production.
used to assess threats to important restoration
Resolution of information gaps and production
species and opportunities for targeting, prioritizing,
bottlenecks is often essential to expanded and
and implementing restoration projects in light
economical production and use of individual species.
of potential changes in species distributions and
community composition. Models will identify
changes in species distributions and seed zone Action 2.2.1 Conduct seed
boundaries that will aid in identifying potential germination studies and develop
refugia areas, bottlenecks to species’ movement, and seed testing protocols for key
selection of appropriate populations for inclusion restoration species.
in restoration projects to reduce the risk of future
maladaptation. This action will support research to determine the
germination biology and provide the AOSA-accepted
TARGET YEARS: 2016-2020 seed testing protocols for commonly seeded
COORDINATING AGENCIES: National Institute of Food and restoration species, as well as species in demand but
Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey not currently in use. Publications on germination
OTHER PARTICIPANTS: American Public Gardens biology and ecology for these species will be
Association, Chicago Botanic Garden, Institute for Applied reviewed. Knowledge gaps will be identified and
Ecology, NatureServe, universities, prioritized by managers, growers, and researchers.
The resulting research will inform seeding practices
(e.g., requirements for dormancy release, seed
20 NATIONAL SEED STRATEGY for Rehabilitation and Restoration | 2015–2020pretreatments, seeding rates, dates, depths) for seed will include storage protocols, expanded seed
production fields and wildland seedings. Studies technology databases and synthesis documents.
designed to formulate standardized germination
testing procedures for individual species are TARGET YEARS: 2015-2020
refereed by AOSA prior to acceptance into the COORDINATING AGENCIES: Agricultural Research Service,
Rules for Testing Seeds. Close coordination with the Bureau of Land Management, National Institute of Food
AOSA Native Seed Testing Committee is required and Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey
OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Chicago Botanic Garden, Denver
to schedule referee testing. The rules are used by
Botanic Gardens, Great Basin Research Center, private
certified seed laboratories across the country to seed testing laboratories and seed companies, state seed
increase uniformity in results. Standardized testing laboratories, universities, Utah Department of Natural
procedures are needed to evaluate seed lot quality. Resources
Outcomes of this action and existing data will
be synthesized and compiled in existing or new Action 2.2.3 Develop species-specific
databases. protocols for seed and seedling
TARGET YEARS: 2015-2020 production practices that maintain
COORDINATING AGENCIES: Agricultural Research Service, genetic diversity.
Bureau of Land Management, National Institute of Food
and Agriculture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest This action fosters research needed to aid growers
Service, U.S. Geological Survey in producing seed crops and nursery seedlings
OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Chicago Botanic Garden, Denver efficiently and economically while maintaining
Botanic Gardens, Great Basin Research Center, Institute genetic diversity. Bottlenecks to successful
for Applied Ecology, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center,
production often appear when wildland species are
private seed testing laboratories and seed companies,
state seed laboratories, universities
grown as monocultures in seed fields or nurseries.
Review of seed needs assessments by ecoregion
Action 2.2.2 Develop storage or seed zone, combined with an examination of
guidelines for restoration species pertinent literature; databases; and surveys of
to improve maintenance of seed growers, nurserymen, and researchers, is needed
viability. to identify obstacles to the successful production
of individual species. Regional liaisons may be
This action aims to provide species-specific required to aid in prioritizing and expediting
requirements needed to manage stored seed research. Scientists with expertise in improving
supplies and conserve seed quality. Seed handling stand establishment, weed control, irrigation,
and management protocols to maintain viability pollinator management, plant pathology, root and
from harvest through conditioning, storage, and soil microorganisms and facilitators, and a wide array
use are lacking for most restoration species. Optimal of other disciplines may be called upon to resolve
temperature and relative humidity requirements to specific problems. Input from geneticists is required
maximize seed longevity in storage have rarely been to set guidelines for maintaining genetic diversity
identified. Although many restoration species can from seed collection through seed conditioning and
be stored successfully in warehouses under ambient seed or seedling production. Outcomes of this work,
conditions for short periods, others lose viability in addition to seed supplies and nursery seedlings,
rapidly, resulting in lost profits to growers or lost will include publications, technical notes, databases,
reserves to users. Available database information, webinars, workshops, and field days.
literature, storage records, and observational reports
will be reviewed on a regional or seed zone basis to TARGET YEARS: 2015-2020
COORDINATING AGENCIES: Bureau of Land Management,
identify problematic species and prioritize research.
National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Natural
Public and private researchers, including certified Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
seed laboratory personnel, will be solicited to Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey
conduct required studies. Response may be limited OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Chicago Botanic Garden, Great
due to the long-term nature of the research and Basin Research Center, Institute for Applied Ecology, Lady
availability of suitable facilities and equipment for Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, public and private seed
conducting the studies. Products and publications producers and nurseries, state agencies, universities
NATIONAL SEED STRATEGY for Rehabilitation and Restoration | 2015–2020 21You can also read
