Northeast Seed Network News & Updates
Spring Check-in Meeting Follow-up
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The Northeast Seed Network: An Alliance of Regional Seed Partnerships
Our mission is to foster connection and knowledge sharing among those working to improve access to diverse source-identified seeds and plants in the Northeast. In doing this, we see a future in which a robust seed and plant supply chain formed through collaboration, coordination, and resource sharing supports resilient and healthy landscapes.
Thank you for your partnership and participation in this critical work!
| | Dense blazing star (Liatris spicata) with flower fly pollinator. Credit: Uli Lorimer. | | Spring Check-in Meeting Follow-up | | |
Thank you to all who joined our Spring Network-wide Meeting on April 29th.
Here are links to the Meeting Slide Deck and Recording if you’d like to revisit our discussions.
| | A new regional seed hub is forming in the Mid-Atlantic! | | In-person meeting participants, from left to right: Eve Allen (Ecological Health Network), Bert Harris (Clifton Institute), Phoebe Judge (Virginia Tech), Lisa Kuder (University of Maryland), Charlotte Lorick and Rachel Carver (Oak Spring Garden Foundation), Andi Clinton (The Nature Conservancy), Joe Kirsch and Lauren Cruz (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). Virtual participants included, Nicki Gustafson (VA DCR - Natural Heritage Program/Virginia Pollinator Smart Program), Casey Johnson (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), Ryan Klopf (VA DCR - Natural Heritage Program), John Price (MARSB), Kelly Thomas (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), and Lauren Shew (Ecological Health Network). | |
Thank you to the Oak Spring Garden Foundation for hosting a convening meeting to help establish and launch a new hub for the Northeast Seed Network.
Over two days, representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Virginia Tech, University of Maryland, Clifton Institute, Mid-Atlantic Regional Seed Bank, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Natural Heritage Program and Pollinator Smart Program, The Nature Conservancy, and the Oak Spring Garden Foundation came together for this important gathering. Moderated by Eve Allen and Lauren Shew of the Ecological Health Network, the meeting featured a participatory mapping exercise to identify current contributions to the seed supply chain, assess gaps and bottlenecks, and explore collaborative interventions. Participants also discussed potential organizations to include in this emerging hub, aligning on the need for broader engagement with partners across Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
If you’re interested in learning more or getting involved with this new hub, please email northeastseednetwork@gmail.com.
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A new partnership is forming in the Catskills!
Catskills Mountain Keeper, the Ecotype Project, and other partners are working together to establish a new partnership to increase the availability of local ecotypic seed and plant material in southeastern New York State. The team is convening over the next few months to collect and review various riparian buffer restoration taxa lists for the Catskills and determine which will be the first 3-5 species to put into production. If you are interested in being a part of the ongoing Catskills regional partnership, you can contact Sefra Alexandra (info@ecotypeproject.org).
Unsure about your partnership or hub, or have an idea for starting a new one? We’d love to hear from you. Reach out to northeastseednetwork@gmail.com.
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Collaborative Priority Native Tree Species List for Reforestation in New York State - Final Project Outputs
Last year, The Nature Conservancy NY and the Ecological Health Network teamed up to identify target native tree species for scaling reforestation efforts in response to New York’s goal to reforest 1.7 million acres by 2040. The Collaborative Priority Species List for Reforestation in New York Project partnered with forest ecologists, carbon scientists, pest and pathogen researchers, botanists, land managers, practitioners, nursery professionals, Indigenous horticulturists, and other experts knowledgeable about the reforestation seed supply pipeline to develop a curated species list that incorporates ecological, social, and practical considerations. For more information, check out the final project flyer with the species list, links to a decision-support tool, and other resources.
| | Allegheny monkeyflower (Mimulus ringens) with a specialist bee pollinator. Credit: Uli Lorimer. |
| Upcoming Events and Deadlines | |
As Wild Seed Project enters its second decade, the organization is seeking its next Executive Director – a seasoned, purpose-driven leader with a passion for native plants and a commitment to building a sustainable, resilient future. The ideal candidate will have experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, organizational management, and relationship building to strengthen collective impact.
| | Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa). Credit: Uli Lorimer. | |
Save the dates!
The Northeast Seed Network is excited to offer a range of educational opportunities this summer and fall, made possible by the generous support of our partners. These webinars, workshops, and field walks will provide a collaborative space for learning and knowledge exchange, focusing on key steps in the native seed supply chain, including wild seed collection, storage, and establishing seed increase plots.
If you have an idea for a training or educational event you'd like to share with the network, or if there’s a topic you’d like to explore further as part of this growing community, please reach out – we’d love to hear from you.
Tuesday, July 15, 2025 | 12-1 pm ET | Virtual via Zoom
Genetic Considerations in Seed Production
Join Matthew Garrambone of Beechwood Environmental, consultant for the Native Plant Trust, for an informative discussion on the management of genetic diversity throughout the seed production process. Matthew draws on a wealth of experience, including work with the Irvine Ranch Conservancy and the Orange County Native Seed Partnership in Southern California. He will draw from this experience to guide participants through an overview of best practices for maintaining genetic diversity during seed sourcing, collection, and increase.
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Farm Walks at The Hickories Farm | Ridgefield, CT
Join Dina Brewster for a series of farm “Twilight Talks” at The Hickories to learn more about the Northeast Seed Collective’s operations and see firsthand examples of seed increase plots, harvesting techniques, and seed cleaning practices.
Upcoming Dates:
● Wednesday, July 16 | 4-5:30 pm ET
● Tuesday, September 17 | 4-5:30 pm ET
● Wednesday, October 16 | 4-5:30 pm ET
Come connect with fellow growers and seed enthusiasts, and gain practical insights into the work that sustains our regional native seed supply. For more information, email: info@northeastseedcollective.com
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American Public Gardens Association Seed Conference
June 2-5, 2025
Denver, CO
Join NSN members and partners in Denver, Colorado, for the Annual APGA Conference! Learn more and register here.
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| Attending this conference? Please let us know! | | | | | | Blue vervain (Verbena hastata) seed increase plot. Credit: Uli Lorimer. | | Northeast Seed Network Map | | If you want to be listed on the Ecotype Project’s Network Map please fill out our Network Intake Survey. You can also update your listing with a photo or a species list. We will do our best to keep this map updated quarterly. | | |
We want to hear from you! | Do you have exciting updates, news, or images you'd like to share with the Northeast Seed Network community? We're always looking to feature stories about seed collection, propagation efforts, restoration projects, and events in our newsletter. Feel free to reach out to us northeastseednetwork@gmail.com with your contributions or to discuss how we can highlight your work in upcoming editions. | |
Thank you for being a crucial part of the Northeast Seed Network's success. Together, we are sowing the seeds for more biodiverse, climate-resilient, and healthy landscapes across our shared ecoregions. If you haven’t yet done so, please fill out our Network Intake Survey as a first step in joining the Northeast Seed Network.
For more information, please contact us at northeastseednetwork@gmail.com.
For updates about the Northeast Seed Network, follow us at @ecohealthglobal and @nativeplanttrust on Instagram, @EcoHealthNet on X, @Nativeplanttrust and @EcoHealthNet on Facebook, and Ecological Health Network and Native Plant Trust on LinkedIn for updates.
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