How to increase the supply of native seed to improve restoration success: the US native seed development process

With the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, restoration of damaged ecosystems is turning into a global movement. Restoration actions that are not based science and an understanding ecosystem function can thwart desired outcomes at best cause further damage to worst. often includes revegetation using seed. Where we source seed for make difference species establishment, outcomes, recovery function. However, sourcing seeds native species, let alone genetically appropriate seed, currently possible many projects. The process increasing suitable steps need be addressed typically years before project initiated. These collection, evaluation development, field production, certification procurement, storage, finally restoration, considered ideally scale larger than individual projects with research conducted in each step. We describe these as implemented States, challenges therein, provide suggestions examples how groups efficient effective progress toward getting right place time.