Introduction
The Seeds of Success program, part of the national Native Plant Materials Development Program, establishes procedures for seed collections to create a high-quality, accurately identified, and well-documented collection of native plant species in the United States These collections support the development of geographically suitable native plant materials for restoration and emergency fire rehabilitation Each collection must represent significant genetic variation within the sampled population, serving as a foundation for off-site conservation and, when appropriate, for study and multiplication within the native plant materials development initiative.
In May 2000, the Bureau of Land Management and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank entered into a cooperative agreement to participate in the Seeds of Success (SOS) program, which was subsequently renewed in November.
Launched in 2005, the Seeds of Success (SOS) program began with 23 collection teams across the United States Since then, it has expanded significantly to include notable partners such as the Chicago Botanic Garden, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, New England Wild Flower Society, New York Department of Parks and Recreation, Greenbelt Native Plant Center, North Carolina Botanic Garden, and the Zoological Society of San Diego Currently, there are over 65 collection teams involved in SOS, along with various organizations dedicated to cleaning, storage, and funding, collectively known as the SOS Partners.
The Millennium Seed Bank (MSB) Project completed its first phase in 2010, marking a decade since its inception Following this milestone, the Seeds of Success (SOS) program underwent a strategic shift as Kew's funding ceased for U.S partners Rather than focusing on a single seed collection for each species on the Kew list, SOS adapted its approach to prioritize multiple collections of restoration and rehabilitation species, ensuring a genetically diverse seed representation from across their natural ranges.
In June 2008, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was established among several organizations, including the Bureau of Land Management and the Chicago Botanic Garden, to officially recognize Seeds of Success as a national native seed collection program in the United States This initiative, coordinated by the BLM, aims to promote the conservation of native plant species The details of the MOU can be accessed on the Seeds of Success website.
SOS aims to supply wild-collected seeds to researchers for common garden studies and native plant materials development projects under the national Native Plant Materials Development Program This program, managed by the Bureau of Land Management, seeks to provide a stable and cost-effective supply of native plant materials essential for restoration and rehabilitation on public lands The Seeds of Success collection program serves as the initial phase in the development of these vital native plant resources.
During Phase 1 of the Millennium Seed Bank Project (2001-2010), there was a goal of collecting 10% of the world’s flora With SOS as the U.S partner, MSB was able to reach this goal.
To develop genetically appropriate ecotypes, it is estimated that 10 to 20 collections of a single species are necessary This collection goal is set for each species collected by SOS To support the program's aim of developing native plant materials, partnerships for processing and storage have been established, enabling SOS collectors to gather specimens across the full range of targeted species.
Training, Communication, and Annual Reporting
Proper training for groups and individuals collecting seeds for SOS is crucial to protect plant populations and ensure adherence to protocols, which is essential for maintaining data integrity.
The training course, “Seed Collection for Restoration and Conservation” has been developed to provide comprehensive training for SOS seed collection partners
Before establishing an SOS team or initiating SOS collections, it is essential for at least one lead botanist to complete a training course, although all team members are encouraged to participate If you are in the process of founding an SOS team and require training for your collection team, please reach out to the National Coordinating Office for further information.
SOS has three primary means of communication between the National Coordinating Office, collectors and other partners These include the SOS website, SOS listserv and monthly
Web: The website may be viewed at http://www.nps.gov/plants/sos and includes information about targeted species, collection guidance, training materials and contact information
To participate in discussions about the Seeds of Success (SOS) program, individuals must subscribe to the dedicated email list, which allows members to post messages to all subscribers The subscription is open to anyone interested, so feel free to share this opportunity with others who may want to join the conversation.
To subscribe to the list , send an e-mail to sos-request@lists.plantconservation.org with the following information in the body of the message (not the subject):
To confirm your subscription, please respond to the email you receive Once your subscription is confirmed, you will receive another email containing instructions on how to utilize the list effectively.
Call: On the first Tuesday of every month, collectors are invited to participate in the Collectors’
Join the SOS Partners conference call, a platform for discussing important issues and questions with fellow collectors and the National Coordinating Office For the conference call number, please reach out to the National Coordinating Office directly, as it cannot be published online Additionally, remember that reminders, cancellations, and agendas will be shared through the SOS email list.
At the end of each collecting season, teams are required to complete an annual report, which can be found as a template and example on the SOS website This report aims to summarize the season’s activities, including collections, challenges faced, highlights, and suggested improvements for the following year Once completed, the report should be submitted to the SOS National Coordinating Office, with the option to provide additional comments at any time during the year.
Target Species
The Millennium Seed Bank (MSB) at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, originally collected only one specimen per species from the "Kew list." Currently, the focus of the Seed Our Future (SOS) program has shifted to species essential for restoration and rehabilitation projects, referred to as the "restoration list." Collections from both the Kew list and the restoration list are permitted, provided they align with the goals of the SOS program Teams can gather multiple collections of species on their restoration target list, ensuring that each collection represents unique populations.
Collecting teams should collaborate with local federal land managers to create and implement priority target lists for restoration projects These projects may involve SOS seed for emergency fire rehabilitation, waterway stabilization, landfill recovery, wildlife habitat restoration, and roadside revegetation The focus is primarily on collecting common native species that are essential for effective restoration and stabilization efforts.
BLM is actively identifying priority species essential for the development of native plant materials It is crucial for teams collecting for BLM to collaborate with their colleagues to ensure that they focus on gathering these high-priority species.
To achieve the objective of creating 20 collections of a species, researchers must establish seed transfer zones for restoration purposes Each research team should focus on a regional restoration target list, which should be developed collaboratively by federal land managers, native plant materials developers, conservation researchers, and other stakeholders involved in native plant initiatives.
Target species lists should be developed at the ecoregional level by SOS partners and the
National Coordination Office SOS currently uses Omernik Level III Ecoregions for seed collections’ ecoregional distinction.
Seeds of Success manages target species information on a website hosted by the Plant
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Collectors are encouraged to collaborate with the SOS National Coordinating Office to create regional restoration target lists, ideally through email communication Additionally, reaching out to the National Coordinating Office for specific data subsets can assist in formulating a customized target list and enhancing current collections.
Species Excluded from this Program
The species excluded from Seeds of Success include:
Any native plant species listed as Threatened or Endangered, under the Endangered
Any Candidate, or any species Proposed for listing, under the Endangered Species Act.
Any species listed as G1 or G2 by a State Heritage Program.
Any species listed as S1 or S2 by a State Heritage Program will not be collected in the state listing it as S1 or S2.
BLM State Director Sensitive Species, classified as G3 or S3 by a State Heritage Program and included in the CPC network collection, require careful coordination between BLM Field Office Botanists and the CPC Garden in their region This collaboration ensures that these species are not overlooked or inadvertently collected by both parties, thereby preserving their conservation status.
Any species included in Appendix I of the Convention in the Trade of Endangered
Any species not native to the U.S
Any agricultural or food crop species.
All species in the genus Quercus.
All species in the genus Vitis.
In the United States, the Center for Plant Conservation is dedicated to collecting and preserving seeds from rare, threatened, and endangered plant species, while the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation in Fort Collins, Colorado, focuses on storing various accessions of crop relatives Both organizations collaborate with the Seeds of Success program to enhance the conservation of plant biodiversity.
Storage and Distribution
Since 2003, the U.S Department of Agriculture's Forest Service Bend Seed Extractory has been responsible for cleaning the seeds collected by BLM teams, while most non-federal partners manage their own seed cleaning processes Collections undergo thorough cleaning, testing, and processing at various facilities to ensure quality.
Long-term and working collection needs are being met by the U.S Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service The National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation
(NCGRP) in Fort Collins, Colorado is managing long-term collections, and the Western
Regional Plant Introduction Station (WRPIS) in Pullman, WA is maintaining both long-term and working collections for distribution to researchers working on native plant materials development related topics
WRPIS acts as the processing hub for Seeds of Success collections that are integrated into the National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) Collaborating with organizations such as the Bureau of Land Management and the Kew Millennium Seed Bank, WRPIS focuses on the collection and conservation of native plant species across the United States While the first phase of the Millennium Seed Bank project has concluded, germplasm collection continues under the Seeds of Success program WRPIS typically receives around 10,000 seeds from each SOS collection, which is processed at the USDA Forest Service Bend Seed Extractory.
Accessions are categorized for -20⁰C backup storage at the WRPIS in Pullman and the NCGRP in Fort Collins When seed quantity permits, a distribution component is incorporated into the 4⁰C working collection.
Table 1 Seeds of Success (SOS) germplasm proportioning for long-term back-up and working collection samples
Ratio to long-term storage at NCGRP -
Ratio to long-term storage at WRPIS -
Permission to Collect
Permission is required for all seed collected for the Seeds of Success program.
Collecting seeds on public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management is categorically excluded in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Department of the Interior (DOI)
The 516 Manual serves as the official guidance for assessing the level of NEPA required, with the BLM's Categorical Exclusion (CX) list integrated into the DOI NEPA manual at 516 DM 6, Appendix 5, Section 5.4, effective from May 19, 1992 Within the Forestry program section of the BLM CX list, there are five specific categorical exclusions, one of which pertains to seed collection This exclusion allows for the disposal of small amounts of various vegetation products outside designated harvest areas, including Christmas trees, wildings, floral products (such as ferns and boughs), cones, seeds, and firewood for personal use.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) may authorize volunteer groups to gather for the Seeds of Success program on lands it manages To adhere to the Department of the Interior (DOI) privacy regulations, individual collectors cannot be named on the data form when acting in a personal capacity In cases where no other collector names are provided, team leads should be recorded instead.
6b Collecting on Non-BLM Lands
Seed collection can occur on private lands or those managed by federal agencies like the Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, and Department of Defense, as well as state, county, or municipal agencies, provided that landowner permission is obtained It is essential to document this permission on the field data form related to the seed collection and maintain written records in your office's files for collections made on non-BLM managed lands.
Assessing Populations for Collection
A knowledgeable botanist must lead the collection team to identify the most suitable populations for sampling The selection of target populations will be determined by lead botanists and plant ecologists at the BLM field office or partner institutions An ideal collection should consist of over 100 individuals and yield more than 10,000 viable seeds, with a preference for collections exceeding 20,000 seeds Larger collections enhance flexibility and enable a portion to be stored at a secondary seed bank, thereby maximizing the utility of the collection.
Sufficient seed is available for germination and viability testing
Samples are available for distribution to users for restoration, education or scientific purposes
A substantial amount of seed can be conserved as a long-term safeguard against loss of the wild population
Preliminary site visits are essential for evaluating plant populations, verifying species identification through herbarium voucher specimens, and estimating optimal harvesting dates and potential seed yields If the populations meet quality and quantity standards, multiple species collections may be feasible from a single site.
The following points should be considered before harvesting takes place:
When collecting seeds, it is crucial to ensure they originate from wild populations rather than cultivated sources Avoid gathering seeds from native species that were introduced through seed mixes for post-fire management in burned areas Instead, focus on collecting seeds from native species that were not part of those seed mixes.
Small populations of plants, specifically those with fewer than 50 individuals or those producing less than 10,000 viable seeds, should not be collected for in-house native plant development projects or returned to the collector Instead, any collections yielding fewer than 10,000 viable seeds must be directly transferred to the SOS National Collection.
Seed development can vary within and between populations of the same species
Monitor seed maturation and assess insect damage and empty seeds throughout the population before making the seed collection.
To enhance genetic diversity in seed collections, it is essential for collectors to revisit the same population throughout the dispersal period Seeds collected from the same population during a single season can be consolidated under one accession number Collectors should limit their daily collection to no more than 20% of the viable seeds and ensure that all materials combined are from the same population, using the same seed collection reference number It is important to document that the materials were collected on various dates on the SOS field data form.
Sampling Strategy
Maximizing the diversity of alleles in a collected sample is crucial for accurately representing the field population Brown and Marshall (1995) suggest that by sampling effectively, it is possible to capture at least one copy of 95% of the alleles present in the population that occur at frequencies greater than 0.05.
1 30 randomly chosen individuals in a fully outbreeding sexual species, or
2 59 randomly chosen individuals in a self fertilizing species.
The reproductive biology of many target species remains largely unexamined, necessitating a significantly larger sample size to capture rarer alleles Consequently, collectors should focus on sampling from a single population that contains more than 50 individuals of the target species and prioritize populations with a higher abundance of plants.
To establish seed zone guidelines and ecotypes for a species, it is essential to collect between 10 and 20 unique populations, with each population comprising over 10,000 seeds.
Seed Collection Techniques
All seed collections that are a part of SOS should follow the protocol below
1 Assess the target population and confirm that a sufficient number of individual plants (> 50) have seeds at natural dispersal stage.
To ensure that adequate genetic diversity can be sampled from the population, and that the seeds are likely to be at maximum possible viability and longevity.
2 Carefully examine a small, representative sample of seeds using a cut test and for smaller seeds a hand lens.
Estimate the frequency of empty or damaged seeds and confirm that the majority of seeds are mature and fully formed.
3 Collect mature, dry seeds in either cloth or brown paper bags Large collections can be made using plastic buckets and then transferred into bags.
Ensure the highest possible viability at collection and maximize the potential storage life.
4 Cleaning should be left to the processing staff at the Bend Seed Extractory for federal partners
Maximize the use of available field time and clean and prepare seeds in controlled laboratory conditions.
5 Fleshy fruits should be collected directly into plastic bags Specific advice on ripening and cleaning fleshy fruits is in
Section 13 , or contact Bend Staff if specific guidance is needed.
Fleshy fruits decompose rapidly and poor storage can lead to mold infested seed collections.
6 Sample equally and randomly across the extent of the population, maintaining a record of the number of individuals sampled.
To maximize genetic diversity in the sampled plant population, it is essential to employ a stratified random sampling method, particularly in areas where local variation is evident This approach ensures that samples are collected from each microsite, thereby capturing a comprehensive representation of the genetic variation present.
7 Collect no more than 20% of the viable seed available on the day of collection Ensure that the sampled population is not over collected and is maintainable.
8 Collect seeds from a population throughout its dispersal season, seeds from a population collected in the same year can be combined as one collection, using the same seed collection reference number
Note the multiple dates of collections on the SOS field data form.
Maximize genetic diversity in the collection, capturing early, mid, and late bloomers.
However, collections of all sizes are welcome The smaller the collection, the less useful it will be.
Enable maximum use and study of the collection The first 10,000 viable seeds are transferred directly to the SOS National Collection.
10 The first 10,000 seeds of each collection sent to Bend becomes part of the SOS
National Collection Collections sent to
Bend can be cleaned and returned to collectors for use in native plant materials development research or re-seeding projects; for more information on requesting materials from Bend, please refer to Section 14.
Seed from Bend is then sent to the NCGRP,
Ft Collins, CO for long-term storage and the WRPIS for long-term storage and working collections.
Anything over 10,000 can be requested back by the collector or shipped to a partner organization for research and development.
11 For each collection, estimate the viable seed production per fruit, per individual and per population, and note these on the field data form.
Document species seed biology, better assess the influence of collecting on the population, and gather information to better document if we are meeting Standards for Rangeland
Health for native plant communities.
Ensure that all bags, both inside and out, are clearly labeled with the correct collection number, without including any additional information Avoid using permanent markers on cotton seed bags, as these bags will be reused.
To ensure that this unique identifier is attached to each sample of a collection All other data will be recorded on the field data form.
Identification and Herbarium Specimens
Accurate identification of species is crucial for the value of seed collections, making voucher material essential for this process While vegetative material and close-up photographs can aid in identification, high-quality herbarium specimens—pressed and dried plant samples—serve as the most effective voucher material Consequently, collectors must ensure they gather herbarium voucher specimens for every collection.
Seeds of Success emphasizes the importance of collecting seed samples and meticulously documenting identification notes on the field data form This includes details on the destination of each specimen and any supplementary identification information It is essential to refrain from mounting voucher materials on herbarium sheets.
Below is a short description of some of the issues plant collectors should be aware of when collecting specimens for the Seeds of Success program.
Herbarium specimens are essential outputs from seed collection programs, and collectors are encouraged to gather three to four representative specimens for each collection These specimens should be deposited in suitable regional, national, or international herbaria for study and classification by taxonomists Additionally, close-up photographs of flowers or delicate plant organs should be included, with the collection number noted on the back of physical photos or cited in the file name for digital images.
To master the proper technique for preparing herbarium specimens, collectors are encouraged to accompany an experienced botanist during fieldwork Additionally, participants in the SOS program should attend a designated training session Valuable literature for further guidance includes works by Bridson and Forman (1992), Radford et al (1974), and Ross (1994).
To ensure accurate identification and monitoring of plant populations, it is recommended that collectors obtain herbarium voucher specimens during preliminary visits or from the same population in the following year for species not in bloom during seed collection These specimens should be collected from the exact location earlier in the season If a preliminary trip is not feasible and adequate material is unavailable at seed collection time, it is essential to record the GPS coordinates of a representative individual, allowing for the collection of herbarium specimens in the next season when vegetative and fertile material is accessible.
Below is a short description of some of the issues plant collectors should be aware of when collecting specimens for the Seeds of Success program.
Collection: The standard Smithsonian herbarium sheet is 11 ắ inches wide by 16 ẵ inches long.
For larger specimens, consider dividing or folding them to ensure they fit comfortably on a single sheet It is permissible to use multiple sheets for a specimen, provided the label clearly indicates that there are several pieces to be mounted separately However, it's important to note that these individual pieces still belong to the same collection.
When pressing vascular plant specimens in the field, it's essential to display them in a way that highlights all taxonomic features for easy examination However, special considerations are necessary for certain exceptions, including ferns, large bulky fruits, grasses, seeds, and large leaves.
When collecting ferns, it is crucial to reflex one or more leaves to allow researchers to examine both the top and bottom surfaces when mounted on a sheet This practice is essential because key taxonomic features, such as spore-producing structures, are usually found on the lower surface If reflexing is not possible, collectors should aim to gather multiple leaves to ensure that all surfaces can be observed upon mounting.
Large bulky fruits, such as pine cones, are among the most fragile components of a herbarium specimen, often detaching during preparation or examination To prevent loss, it is advisable to note their presence on the label and to package them securely in a labeled paper or plastic envelope when shipping to the herbarium This practice also extends to cactus specimens, which can become brittle during drying; placing the entire specimen in a plastic bag not only contains any detached pieces but also protects processing technicians from potential injuries caused by spines.
When harvesting grasses for pressing, it's essential to consider the tuft-like growth habit and the dimensions of herbarium sheets Proper preparation is crucial, as once the specimen is dried, it becomes difficult to arrange it to fit the sheet This may necessitate cutting the specimen into pieces, which can jeopardize its scientific and physical integrity.
The Seeds of Success program aims to preserve a seed bank for the conservation and development of native plant materials essential for the restoration and rehabilitation of U.S lands To ensure the integrity of the collection, it is important that some seeds remain with the voucher specimens After pressing and drying, seeds may begin to shed, risking separation from their specimens during shipment and processing If this happens, the seeds cannot be reattached to the specimens without direct observation by a technician To avoid this issue, it is recommended to place any loose seeds in a labeled paper or plastic envelope containing the collection information, allowing them to be included with the mounted collection.
Large Leaves: Some of the same concerns regarding grass collections apply here
Remember that a herbarium sheet has a finite size and plan accordingly when collecting such plants.
Labels are essential for the value of a specimen, as they provide critical information about its origin and context Without accurate labeling, a specimen loses its significance as a scientific or historical artifact Future researchers rely on these labels to link the specimen to its collection location, date, collector, and potential identifier of the plant species.
A typical plant label measures around 4 x 4 inches and is printed on acid-free paper Essential information to include on the label consists of the family, genus, and species identification, the precise collection location, the date of collection, the names of the collectors, and the collection number While Seeds of Success participants have been submitting data sheets alongside their collections, adhering to the traditional specimen label format would enhance processing efficiency For detailed labeling guidelines, please visit the SOS website.
Shipping: Please keep in mind that it is a long way to the Smithsonian and the U.S Postal
When shipping delicate specimens, it's essential to ensure their safety due to the service's reputation for rough handling To protect them, interleave specimens with newsprint and sandwich them between two pieces of cardboard, securely tied with string Wrap the entire bundle in newsprint or craft paper to prevent loose pieces from shifting during transit The Smithsonian advocates for recycling, so when reusing boxes, choose ones that fit the bundle snugly to minimize movement and reduce the risk of damage This method is a cost-effective and efficient way to ship specimens over long distances.
When shipping specimens to the Smithsonian, include a notice of transmittal in the packaging that specifies the sending institution and the total number of specimens being sent This document should also clearly articulate the purpose of the shipment from the sending institution.
Field Documentation
When collecting seeds, utilize a copy of the Field Data Form (Appendix 3) and ensure all data fields are completed Retain one copy for your records and include it with any seed or voucher shipments related to the collection Additionally, promptly email or send a copy to the SOS National Coordinating Office to document the species collection.
11a Seed Collection Reference Number Format
Seeds of Success collecting teams use the following format to identify their collections The
Seed Collection Reference Numbers consist of two components: the SOS team code, which can be an office mail stop or an organization acronym, followed by a sequential collection number For instance, the Burns District Office’s 26th collection is labeled as OR020-26, while the Chicago Botanic Garden’s 25th collection is identified as CBG-25 It is crucial that these reference numbers remain unique and sequential each year, with no repetitions For example, if the last collection of the prior year is numbered 34, the next collection should begin at 35 For further details, refer to Appendix 2 for collector codes and Appendix 7 for a comprehensive list of all BLM Field Offices and mail stop codes.
Photos
Digital photos of the species being collected should always be taken while in the field At least three photos should be taken for each collection:
The following naming convention should be used for all SOS photos and each photo should be given a unique picture number (A, B, C, etc):
PLANTS Code_Collection Number_Picture Number
For example Chicago Botanic Garden’s collection of Symphyotrichum lanceolatum would have photos named the following:
Send images to the SOS National Coordinating Office on CD or DVD via FedEx (see Appendix
Post-Collection Seed Care
In general, keep the seed collections in a cool, dry place prior to sending to the seed extractory.
To preserve seed collections, avoid freezing them and prevent overheating by not leaving them in a vehicle exposed to direct sunlight Sustained high temperatures can severely damage seeds, so ensure proper ventilation around the collections Whenever possible, park the vehicle in the shade and shield the windshield Additionally, damp collections should be spread out on newspaper to dry naturally, either outdoors in the shade or in a well-ventilated room, as soon as possible before shipping.
All teams have specific cleaning and processing arrangements; follow your institution’s cleaning agreements and take advantage of the cleaning facilities’ expertise and knowledge in cleaning seeds
Fleshy fruits may require careful handling and partial cleaning Notify cleaning staff that fleshy material is coming, ship immediately and never on a Friday.
When shipping fleshy fruits, it's essential to pack whole fruits in strong plastic bags filled with air, then place them in a rigid plastic container to prevent squashing and overheating during transit This method is preferred as it maintains the fruits' quality Alternatively, removing as much flesh as possible under cool running water using a sieve can be effective Afterward, allow the seeds to air dry on non-stick materials, avoiding newspaper, before packing them in cloth bags as dry seeds.
For inquiries regarding the meaning of "a little while" for the collected species or to inform the seed extractory staff about the transit of fleshy fruits, please reach out to the seed extractory For contact details, refer to Section 14b, which provides information for the Bend Seed Extractory.
Packaging and Shipping
All collections for Seeds of Success must adhere to the specified packaging and shipping protocols outlined below It is important to recognize that distinct instructions apply to both BLM and non-BLM collection teams Non-BLM teams should verify their institution's specific protocols with their manager to ensure compliance.
When shipping seed, data sheets and herbarium specimens please remember the following:
Senders are responsible for all shipping costs related to seed and voucher transport.
Data sheets shall accompany all seed and herbarium shipments, as well as being sent to the National Coordinating Office for input into the national database
Most BLM offices shall send seed to the Bend Seed Extractory for cleaning.
Most non-federal partners are responsible for cleaning their own seed.
All Seeds of Success seed shall end up with a portion in long-term storage and another portion available for research and development for native plant materials.
For successful seed conservation, it is crucial to send the collected seeds to a seed extractory within a few days, accompanied by completed field data forms, to ensure optimal preservation and accuracy of the collected data.
To ensure proper handling and identification, ship each seed collection in a single, clearly labeled bag featuring a unique collection number Use labels that can be securely tied to the bag's neck with string for easy access during transit to the seed bank Additionally, place a second label inside the bag on top of the seeds for extra precaution.
The labeled bags should be securely packaged for shipping The following packaging is recommended, either:
Sturdy cardboard box into which cotton seed bags have been placed
Woven PVC or nylon air freight sack
Do not use the following for shipping seeds:
Any non-breathable bags or containers
Any bags made from plastic or from PVC backed fabric (although you may be instructed to ship fleshy fruits in PVC bags as part of a shipment, see Section 13 ).
14b Shipping Seeds for Cleaning (for BLM and federal agencies)
Materials collected for Seeds of Success by BLM employees and interns hosted by BLM offices can be sent to the following address for cleaning:
USDA USFS - Bend Seed Extractory
Contact: Nita Rauch nrauch@fs.fed.us
Please inform the Bend Seed Extractory prior to shipping seeds, ensuring they are sent via overnight mail or FedEx It is essential to include a copy of the completed field data forms that document the collection, as no material will be cleaned without this necessary documentation.
14c Shipping Seeds for Storage (for non-federal partners that have cleaned seed)
Collection teams with the capability to clean their own seed can send it directly to the Western Regional Plant Introduction Station (WRPIS) located in Pullman, WA For additional details, please reach out to the National Coordinating Office.
14d Shipping Herbarium Vouchers to the National Herbarium and Elsewhere
Herbarium vouchers must be sent to designated locations with a transmittal notice and a copy of the field data sheet Ensure that the vouchers are unmounted, properly labeled, and accompanied by completed field collection data forms For more detailed vouchering information, refer to Section 10 of the Protocol and visit the SOS website.
Smithsonian Institution (MRC-166) 10th and Constitution Ave., NW Washington, DC 20560
Contact: Andrew Clark 202-633-0943 clarkap@si.edu Voucher 2 Regional Herbarium (see Appendix 6 )
To ensure proper documentation, please send all voucher materials labeled with the seed collection number along with a copy of the corresponding field data forms You can find templates for the notice of transmittal on the SOS website.
14e Requesting Return of Seed from Bend
Each collection begins with the selection of the first 10,000 seeds, which are sent to the Western Regional Plant Introduction Station (WRPIS) in Pullman, WA, for inclusion in the Seeds of Success National Collection Collectors have the option to request the return of any additional seeds beyond this initial amount, utilizing the SOS Clearance form to facilitate the process.
The SOS Clearance Form ( Appendix 4 ) should be filled out completely The Clearance Form, along with the associated SOS field data forms, should be emailed to the SOS National
Coordinating Office who will review the request, and if approved, assign a clearance number and send it to the Bend Seed Extractory
To ensure that Bend returns materials to the specified location, it is crucial to follow the outlined process and submit a Clearance Form to the National authorities Failure to adhere to this procedure may result in complications or delays in the return process.
Coordinating Office, your seed will remain at Bend and be distributed for long-term storage and research
Each year, an inventory of collections exceeding 10,000, stored at Bend and not requested for return by the collector, will be shared with partners of the national Native Plant Materials Development Program The SOS National Coordinating Office will oversee this annual distribution To fulfill distribution requests, a detailed explanation of the intended use of the materials must accompany each request.
Program Contacts: National Coordinating Office
Below are program contacts in the National Coordinating Office of Seeds of Success, located in Washington, DC.
Native Plant Materials Development Program
Bureau of Land Management Plant Conservation Program Lead
(For US Postal Service mail)
(For FedEx or UPS or DHL)
20 M Street SE, Rm 2134LM Attention: Peggy Olwell, 5249 Washington, DC 20003
Seeds of Success National Collection Curator
(For US Postal Service mail)
(For FedEx or UPS or DHL)
20 M Street SE, Rm 2134LM Attention: Megan Haidet, 5250 Washington, DC 20003
(For US Postal Service mail)
Email: plant@plantconservation.org or okwong@blm.gov
(For FedEx or UPS or DHL)
20 M Street SE, Rm 2134LMAttention: Olivia Kwong, 5251Washington, DC 20003
Program Contacts: Seeds of Success Collectors
Coll Code BLM Offices Team Contact Email Phone
AK930 Alaska State Office Eric Geisler egeisler@blm.gov 907-271-1985
AZ040 Safford Field Office Jeff Conn jconn@blm.gov 520-348-4470
Office Kahtleen Harcksen kharckse@blm.gov 435-688-3380
AZ310 Kingman Field Office Ammon Wilhelm awilhelm@blm.gov 928-718-3758
AZ320 Yuma Field Office vacant vacant 928-317-3200
Tim Hughes Matt King thughes@blm.gov mking@dbg.org
602-417-9356 480-481-8187 AZ932 The Arboretum at Flagstaff Sheila Murray sheila.murray@nau.edu 928-774-1442 ext 112 CA160 Bakersfield Field Office Denis Kearns
Heather Root dkearns@blm.gov hroot@blm.gov 661-391-6115
661-391-6187 CA170 Bishop Field Office Martin Oliver mpoliver@blm.gov 760-872-5035 CA180 Mother Lode Field Office
Harry McQuillen ghinshaw@blm.gov hmcquill@blm.gov 916-941-3134
For inquiries related to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in California, you can contact the Hollister Field Office at 916-683-1701, with Ryan O'Dell available at rodell@blm.gov (831-630-5000) and Bruce Delgado at bdelgado@blm.gov (831-394-8314) For assistance from the Alturas Field Office, reach out to Michael Dolan at mdolan@blm.gov or call 530-233-7923 Additionally, the Arcata Field Office can be contacted through Jennifer Wheeler at jswheele@blm.gov or by calling 707-825-2316.
CA360 Redding Field Office Chase Lentz clentz@blm.gov 530-224-2107
CA370 Surprise Field Office Scott Soletti ssoletti@blm.gov 530-279-2824
CA610 California Desert District vacant vacant 951-697-5387
For inquiries related to the Bureau of Land Management in California, you can contact the CA650 Ridgecrest Field Office at 760-384-5448 or via email at cwoods@blm.gov, with Carrie Woods as the representative For assistance from the CA660 Palm Springs Field Office, reach out to Jill Beckmann at 760-833-7125 or jbeckman@blm.gov The CA690 Needles Field Office can be contacted through Hanem Abouelezz at 760-326-7011 or habouelezz@blm.gov For matters concerning the CA930 California State Office, Christina Lund is available at 916-978-4638 or clund@blm.gov Additionally, information related to the CA930A Rancho Santa Ana can be obtained through the appropriate channels.
Tommy Stoughton nfraga@rsabg.org tstoughton@rsabg.org 909-625-8767
909-625-8767 ext 204 CA930B Lockeford Plant Materials
Center Annie Young-Matthews anna.young-mathews@ca.usda.gov 209-727-5319 ext 10 CA930C Zoological Society of San
Diego Bryan Endress bendress@sandiegozoo.org 760-291-5486
Office Cara MacMillan caramacmillan@fs.fed.us 970-882-6854
CO932 Colorado State Office Carol Dawson cdawson@blm.gov 303-239-3725 ES030,
ES933 Eastern States Office Derek Strohl dstrohl@blm.gov 414-297-4416 ID310 Shoshone Field Office Danelle Nance dnance@blm.gov 208-732-7220 ID931 Idaho State Office Roger Rosentreter
Susan Filkins rrosentreter@blm.gov sfilkins@blm.gov 208-373-3824
208-373-3815 MT020 Miles City Field Office Mel Schroeder mschroed@blm.gov 406-233-2816
MT050 Dillon Field Office Brian Hockett bhocket@blm.gov 406-683-8010
MT060 Lewistown Field Office Vinita Shea vshea@blm.gov 406-538-1919
Office Wendy Velman wvelman@blm.gov 406-896-5032
Office/Southern NM Mike Howard mhoward@blm.gov 505-525-4348
NM930N Farmington District Office/ Sheila Williams slwillia@blm.gov 505-564-7673
NV030 Carson City Field Office Dean Tonenna dtonenna@blm.gov 775-885-6189 NV040 Ely Field Office
Erica Husse Greg Gust ehusse@blm.gov ggg_enlc@sbcglobal.net
NV052 Las Vegas Field Office Fred Edwards fsedwards@blm.gov 702-515-5022
NV930 Nevada State Office Mark Coca mcoca@blm.gov 775-861-6475
OR010 Lakeview District Office Brennan Hauk bhauk@blm.gov 541-947-6156 OR014 Klamath Falls Resource
OR020 Burns District Office Caryn Meinicke cmeinick@blm.gov 541-573-4517
OR030 Vale District Office Susan Fritts sfritts@blm.gov 541-473-6274
For inquiries related to the Bureau of Land Management in Oregon, you can contact the following district offices: JoAnne Armson at the Prineville District Office (541-416-6786, jarmson@blm.gov), Claire Hibler at the Salem District Office (503-375-5677, chibler@blm.gov), Nancy Sawtelle at the Eugene District Office (541-683-6111, nsawtell@blm.gov), Susan Carter at the Roseburg District Office (541-464-3289, scarter@blm.gov), Doug Kendig at the Medford District Office (541-261-3605, dkendig@blm.gov), and Jennie Sperling at the Coos Bay District Office (541-756-0100, jsperlin@blm.gov) Additionally, for contacts in Washington, reach out to Molly Boyter at both the Spokane District Office and Wenatchee Resource
Oregon State Office Ellen Kuhlmann
Mark Mousseaux ekuhlman@u.washington.edu mmoussea@blm.gov 206-616-0780
Kris Freitag kfreitag@pdx.edu 503-725-2468
National Monument Amber Hughes ahughes@blm.gov 435-826-5602
UT080 Vernal Field Office Kristin Williams kwilliams@blm.gov 435-781-3404 UT933 Utah State Office Ron Bolander
Dustin Rooks rbolande@blm.gov drooks@blm.gov 801-539-4065
435-644-4327 UT931 Red Butte Bot Garden Rita Reisor rita.reisor@redbutte.utah.edu 801-585-5853
WY010 Worland Field Office Eve Warren ewarren@blm.gov 307-347-5109
WY020 Cody Field Office Destin Harrell dharrell@blm.gov 307-578-5933
For inquiries related to the Bureau of Land Management in Wyoming, you can contact the following field offices: Frank Blomquist at the Rawlins Field Office (307-328-4207, fblomqui@blm.gov), Jim Glennon at the Rock Springs Field Office (307-352-0336, jglennon@blm.gov), Tim Vosburgh at the Lander Field Office (307-332-8400, tvosburgh@blm.gov), Cheryl Mandich at the Casper Field Office (307-261-7505, cmandich@blm.gov), Bill Ostheimer at the Buffalo Field Office (307-684-1117, bostheim@blm.gov), Jonathan Sheeler at the Newcastle Field Office (307-746-6614, jsheeler@blm.gov), Marion Mahaffey at the Kemmerer Field Office (307-828-4543, mmahaffey@blm.gov), Josh Hemenway at the Pinedale Field Office (307-367-5322, jhemenway@blm.gov), and Adrienne Pilmanis at the Wyoming State Office (307-775-6035, apilmani@blm.gov) For additional resources, you may also refer to the University of Wyoming.
Kristina Hufford khufford@uwyo.edu 307-766-5587
Mealor Lab Brian Mealor bmealor@uwyo.edu 307-766-3113
Coll Code SOS MOU Signatories Team Contact Email Phone
CBG Chicago Botanic Garden Emily Yates
Dave Sollenberger eyates@chicagobotanic.org dsollenberger@chicagobotanic.org
Wildflower Center Minnette Marr mmarr@wildflower.org 512-292-0240 NEWFS New England Wild Flower
Society Bill Brumback bbrumback@newfs.org 508-877-7630
BBG NYC Dept of Parks & Rec. w/ Brooklyn Botanic
Heather Liljengren heather.liljengren@parks.nyc.gov 718-370-9044
Garden J.C Poythress jpoythre@email.unc.edu 919-962-0522
ZSSD Zoological Society of San
Diego Bryan Endress bendress@sandiegozoo.org 760-291-5486
Coll Code Other SOS Partners Team Contact Email Phone
Plant Initiative Wayne Padgett wpadgett@blm.gov 801-539-4076
Patty West patty.west@nau.edu 928-523-0736
GBNPSIP Great Basin Native Plant
Nancy Shaw nshaw@fs.fed.us 208-373-4360
LLPMC Los Lunas Native Plant
Materials Center Greg Fenchel gregory.fenchel@nm.usda.gov 505-865-4684 RMRS Rocky Mountain Research
Station Matt Fisk mfisk@fs.fed.us 208-373-4376
Botanical Garden Barbara Keller bkeller@berkeley.edu 510-643-8040
USBG U.S Botanic Garden Ray Mims rmims@aoc.gov 202-226-4067
Conservation Kathryn Kennedy kathryn.kennedy@mobot.org 314-577-9450
Bend Seed Extractory Nita Rauch nrauch@fs.fed.us 541-383-5646
BLM Seeds of Success Field Data Form
SOS Seed Collection Ref Number: Alternate Collection Number:
Date(s) Collected (MM/DD/YY) : NRCS PLANTS Code:
Ecoregion (Omernik Level III) : State: County:
Lat (dg/min/sec) (ex: 40˚ 34’ 19.5” N): N GPS Used: Yes No If no, please see other side.
Long (dg/min/sec) (ex: 107˚ 36’ 51.54” W): W GPS Datum: NAD83 NAD27 WGS84 Other:
Elevation (feet): Landowner: Non-BLM Permission Filed:
Modifying Factors: Mowed Burned Grazed Flooded Seeded Trampled Other:
Land Use: Aspect: N NE E SE S SW W NW
Soil Texture: Clay Silt Sand Other: Soil Color:
Family: No of Plants Sampled (min 50 ):
Genus: No of Plants Found (approx.):
Subspecies/Variety: Seeds Collected From: Plants Ground Both
Plant Habit: Tree Shrub Forb Succulent Grass/Grasslike Plant Height (feet):
Native plant materials development & research this accession will be used for:
Observational field notes to assist in identification of pressed specimen (e.g flower color, odor):
Photograph Checklist (at minimum): Habitat: Plant: Seed:
The conditions indicated in boldface describe ideal population size and seed dispersal stage for seed collecting
Assess Population & Seed Dispersal Stage
Approximate area of population: x (feet, yards, miles……)
Approximate total number of individual plants present and accessible: 0-50 50-500 500-5000 > 5000 Evidence of disturbance or damage: Resown Burnt Sprayed No damage
Readiness of population for collecting: give percentages or circle the most frequently occurring:
Vegetative In flower Immature seeds Around natural dispersal Post dispersal
Estimate the number of individual plants at natural dispersal stage: 50
A single population A population with distinct sub-populations (Can you sample separately or from the most suitable?)
On a typical individual, where on the plant/branch/fruit is the seed at natural dispersal stage: Recognized
Using a cut test on the seeds at this stage, give percentages or circle the most frequently occurring:
Healthy Insect-damaged Empty Moldy Malformed/other damage
Estimate the number of healthy seeds per fruit:
Estimate the number of fruits per individual plant:
Should Seed Be Collected On This Trip?
Using the above information, if you only collect 20% of the healthy seeds available today, will this result in a collection of
If GPS was not used, please state method of obtaining lat and long.: Altimeter Map Google Earth Other:
Map Coordinates: Map Date (MM/DD/YY):
Number of Pressed Specimens: 2 3 4 or more Date Voucher Was Taken (MM/DD/YY):
An herbarium voucher has been sent to the National Herbarium at the Smithsonian:
The remaining vouchers will be distributed by the collecting team to the following herbaria:
For collections identified by a specialist, please complete sections below:
Material Identified: In Field From Pressed Specimen on Day of Collection
From Pressed Specimen on Another Date From Photograph
Date identified (MM/DD/YY):
Seeds of Success Return Request: Clearance Form
How to Request Seed Back to your Office with the Seeds of Success Clearance Form
*** A word version of this document is available on the SOS website
The initial 10,000 seeds from each collection undergo a meticulous process, beginning with removal from the top of each collection, followed by shipment to the U.S Forest Service Bend Seed Extractory for thorough cleaning Subsequently, the cleaned seeds are transported to Pullman, WA for further processing and analysis.
Ft Collins, CO for incorporation into the Seeds of Success National Collection With this form, BLM collectors can request any seed over 10,000 be returned or shipped to a cooperator.
To initiate your request, please complete the designated form and email it to the SOS National Coordinating Office along with the relevant SOS Field Data Forms Upon review, the SOS National Office will assign a clearance number if your request is approved and subsequently send the approved clearance form to the Bend Seed Extractory.
Bend requires the submission of SOS Field Data Forms and a clearance number from the SOS National Coordinating Office to process material returns Please ensure to allow a minimum of 30 days from the approval date to the desired return date for the seed.
Please return the following collection(s) by (date) to:
Species Name Clearance Number (assigned by the National Office)
Native Plant Materials Development Project (Please describe how the returned seed will be used, i.e common garden study, restoration project, academic partnership, etc.)
Please submit the completed clearance form to Megan Haidet (MAHaidet@blm.gov).
Seeds of Success Annual Report
*** A stand-alone document of this template is available on the SOS website
Number of species collected: Number of collections made:
Collecting Season Summary (accomplishments and challenges):
Partners (FWS, FS, NRCS, non-profit etc…) and in what capacity you worked together:
Organizations that provided volunteers, and how many:
Education and outreach efforts play a crucial role in promoting the Seeds of Success (SOS) initiative Collaborations with various organizations enhance visibility through newsletters, web articles, and presentations These activities highlight the importance of the Native Plant Materials Development Program, showcasing its impact at conferences and meetings By engaging diverse audiences, we aim to raise awareness and foster support for the conservation of native plant species.
Distributions: (include tracking information for collections that have been shipped out of your office to the Bend Seed Extractory or any other receiving institution)
What the SOS Material will be Used For
Internal Research: (include tracking information for collections that are kept at your office for Native Plant Materials Development projects)
Please submit the final annual report template to Megan Haidet (MAHaidet@blm.gov) at the National Coordinating Office of Seeds of Success by the end of the calendar year.
Offices and Herbaria Selected to Receive Herbarium Duplicates from the Seeds of
Contact Info Local Herbaria chosen Contact Info
AK930 Univ of AK Anchorage
BLM, ASO 930, Lands and Renewable Resources Anchorage, AK 99513
CA169 UC Jepson JEPS Bruce Baldwin
Contact Info Local Herbaria chosen Contact Info
CA180 UC/Jepson Herbarium JEPS Bruce Baldwin
Ellen Dean 530-752-1091 CA190 UC/Jepson Herbarium JEPS Bruce Baldwin
510-643-7008 CA320 UC/Jepson Herbarium JEPS Bruce Baldwin
CA340 UC/Jepson Herbarium JEPS Bruce Baldwin
530-752-1091 CA350 UC/Jepson Herbarium JEPS Bruce Baldwin
CA370 UC/Jepson Herbarium JEPS Bruce Baldwin
303-492-5074 ranker@stripe.col orado edu
Contact Info Local Herbaria chosen Contact Info
14 E Cache la Poudre Colorado Springs, CO
Simmons 970-491-0496 psimmons@lama r.colostate.edu
Catherine Kleier 719-587-7767 cckleier@adams.edu
All CO offices Univ of CO - Denver
Dept of Biology Campus Box 171
ES No response to memo.
Lower Snake River District Herbarium
Univ of Texas at Austin
Matt Lavin 406-994-2032 w 406-994-1848 f mlavin@ montana.edu,
Contact Info Local Herbaria chosen Contact Info
Herbarium Dept of Bio Sci.
Univ of NV - Las Vegas
NV052 BLM Las Vegas FO
Also OR015 to be sent here, but unconfirmed.
OR030 Albertson Coll of Idaho
Spokane District Herbarium Wenatchee, WA
Contact Info Local Herbaria chosen Contact Info
BLM Utah State Office P.O Box 45155 Salt Lake City, UT 84145-0155
Utah Valley State College - Herbarium Dept of Biology Life Sciences
VA Polytechnic Inst and State Univ.
URV Herbarium, Biology Department University of Richmond Richmond, VA 23173
W John Hayden 804-289-8232 804-289-8233 f jhayden@richmond.ed u
BLM Offices and Mail Stop/Collector Codes
AK025 - Central Yukon Field Office,
AZ010 - Arizona Strip Field Office
AZ061 - San Pedro Project Office
AZ070 - Lake Havasu Field Office
CA067 - El Centro Field Office
CA350 - Eagle Lake Field Office
CA660 - Palm Springs-South Coast Field
CO100 - Little Snake Field Office
CO110 - White River Field Office
CO130 - Grand Junction Field Office
CO140 - Glenwood Springs Field Office
CO172 - San Juan Field Office
CO200 - Royal Gorge Field Office
CO210 - La Jara Field Office
ID100 - Boise District Office ID120 - Bruneau Field Office ID110 - Four Rivers Field Office (was ID095) ID130 - Owyhee Field Office (was ID096) ID200 - Twin Falls District Office
ID210 - Jarbidge Field Office (was ID097) ID220 - Burley Field Office (was ID078) ID230 - Shoshone Field Office (was ID076) ID300 - Idaho Falls District Office
The Upper Snake Field Office is designated as ID310, while the Pocatello Field Office, previously known as ID075, is now ID320 The Challis Field Office has transitioned from ID084 to ID330, and the Salmon Field Office has changed from ID085 to ID340 Additionally, the Coeur d’Alene District Office is identified as ID400, and the Coeur d’Alene Field Office, formerly ID086, is now designated as ID410.
ID420 - Cottonwood Field Office (was ID087) ID930 - Idaho State Office
MT010 - Billings Field Office MT020 - Miles City Field Office MT030 - North Dakota Field Office MT040 - South Dakota Field Office MT050 - Dillon Field Office
The Havre Field Office is designated as MT06, while the Lewistown Field Office is identified as MT060 The Butte Field Office carries the code MT070, and the Malta Field Office is marked as MT090 Additionally, the Glasgow Field Station is referred to as MT092, and the Missoula Field Office is labeled MT100 The Montana/Dakotas State Office is represented by the code MT923, and the Amarillo Field Office is noted as NM???.
NM010 - Albuquerque Field Office NM011 - Cuba Field Office
NM012 - Grants Field Station NM018 - Taos Field Office NM030 - Las Cruces District Office NM040 - Tulsa Field Office
NM050 - Socorro Field Office NM060 - Roswell Field Office NM070 - Farmington District Office NM080 - Carlsbad Field Office NM930 - New Mexico State Office NV010 - Elko Field Office
NV020 - Winnemucca Field OfficeNV030 - Carson City Field Office
NV050 - Las Vegas Field Office
NV060 - Battle Mountain Field Office
OR014 - Klamath Falls Resource Area
OR054 - Central Oregon Resource Area
OR115 - Butte Falls Resource Area
OR117 - Grants Pass Resource Area
OR120 - Coos Bay District Office
UT020 - Salt Lake Field Office UT030 - Escalante Interagency Resource Center
UT030 - Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
UT040 - Cedar City Field Office UT052 - Richfield Field Office UT055 - Henry Mountains Field Station UT060 - Moab Field Office
The article outlines various field offices and divisions in Utah, including the UT070 Price Field Office, UT080 Vernal Field Office, UT090 Monticello Field Office, UT100 St George Field Office, and UT110 Kanab Field Office Additionally, it mentions the UT930/3 Utah State Office and UT931 Red Butte Botanical Garden, as well as the WO230 Fish, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation Division Each office plays a vital role in managing natural resources and conservation efforts across the state.
The Wyoming Field Offices include various locations dedicated to serving the community, such as the Worland Field Office (WY010), Cody Field Office (WY020), Rawlins Field Office (WY030), Rock Springs Field Office (WY040), Lander Field Office (WY050), Casper Field Office (WY060), Buffalo Field Office (WY070), Newcastle Field Office (WY080), Kemmerer Field Office (WY090), and Pinedale Field Office (WY100) Additionally, the Wyoming State Office (WY930) oversees these regional offices, ensuring efficient management and support across the state.
CPC National Collection of Endangered Plants
Seeds of Success does not collect seeds from threatened or endangered species The SOS
Technical Protocol is designed for the sustainable collection of common ‘work-horse’ species that can be used in restoration projects.
The National Collection of Endangered Plants, managed by the Center for Plant Conservation, houses vital plant material for over 600 of the most endangered native species in the United States This collection serves as a crucial conservation resource, acting as a safeguard to preserve these species in the event of extinction or loss of natural reproduction in their habitats.
Botanical institutions involved with the Center for Plant Conservation play a crucial role in preserving plant diversity by collecting and maintaining seeds, cuttings, and other plant materials from endangered species in their regions Researchers and botanists at these institutions safeguard this material, serving as a vital conservation resource in case a species becomes extinct or fails to reproduce in the wild Additionally, the Collection aids in scientific research on plant rarity, life cycles of rare plants, and their specific storage and germination needs.
Institutions engaged in the study and cultivation of plants supply plant material to federal and state agencies, as well as private land management organizations, to support the recovery of endangered plants in their natural environments Participating institutions in the CPC are actively involved in the restoration of over 60 of America's rarest plant species.
Current information on the National Collection of Endangered Plants is available online at http:// www.centerforplantconservation.org/NC_Choice.html
For more information contact: Center for Plant Conservation 314-577-9450.