Federal Investment in the National Native Seed Supply Could Pave the Way for Projects in Rural Oregon’s Restoration Economy

Earlier this month the Institute for Applied Ecology in Corvallis, hosted a National Native Seed Conference. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland opened the event with an exciting announcement that the BLM will invest $18 million through the National Seed Strategy Keystone Initiative. This is an important next step following the completion of the National Seed Strategy Action Plan in December 2023, which outlines the importance of building a robust supply of native seed for enhancing climate resilience and strengthening the ecosystem services that thriving rural communities depend on. In Oregon we are building on this effort with a working group convened by the Department of Agriculture to develop a state level seed strategy to create guidance on developing robust sources of native seed. SageCon is participating in this effort to help ensure that the tools and techniques for restoring sagebrush ecosystems are being developed in this document. A well conceived plan will be the foundation for funding requests and investment in restoration projects that benefit working lands. Developing a local source of affordable, native seed is a key component for designing projects through other funding sources such as the Sagebrush Keystone Initiative, which is bringing millions of dollars to Lake, Harney and Malheur Counties.

Jeremy Roberts

The conference starts at 4:30

Announcement from BLM director Tracy Stone Manning 17:15

Announcement from Secretary Deb Haaland 20:45 - Spoiler Alert! She says local native seed will help us defend and grow the core!