Native Seed Collection
Focusing on both conservation and access, Wild Seed Project ethically hand-collects and distributes seeds from over 100 species of Northeast native plants each year.
The Native Seed Center
A hub for conservation at Turkey Hill Farm
The Native Seed Center, located at Cape Elizabeth Land Trust’s Turkey Hill Farm, serves as the hub for our conservation efforts and native seed stewardship work.
Our plants are grown outdoors in living seed banks. Collecting and sharing genetically-diverse native seeds, and seed-grown plants, increases the genetic diversity in our region, broadening the range of tolerated conditions; strengthening local food webs; and cultivating resilience to a wide range of stressors including extreme weather, herbivory, non-native pests, and pathogens.
Partnerships & Collaborations
Native Seed Collection Partnerships
Wild Seed Project partners with regional land trusts and private landowners to sustainably collect native seed to expand the Native Seed Center’s living seed banks. For more information on how Maine land trusts can support native seed saving, contact Seed Stewardship Director, Emily Baisden.
Ash Protection Collaboration Across Waponahkik
Partner Organization
The Ash Protection Collaboration Across Waponahkik (APCAW) is a group of Indigenous and non-indigenous researchers, Tribal members, and forest caretakers working together to bring more awareness of the cultural and ecological significance of brown ash. First Nations, State, Federal, and nongovernmental partners have been working collectively for 20 years to understand and mitigate ash health issues through the Brown Ash Task Force, including emerald ash borer (EAB) and climate change. APCAW continues and amplifies this work by identifying research-informed strategies to protect brown ash that align with Wabanaki priorities and current research.
Sustaining Ash Partners Network
Partner Organization
The Sustaining Ash Partners Network (SAP-Ne) supports collaborative pathways through training, treatment, and outreach to protect critically threatened ash tree species from the impacts of the emerald ash borer (EAB) across the Northeastern U.S. SAP-Ne unites forest stewards to shift from siloed to cross-boundary ash stewardship in the hopes of preserving ash for future generations.
Northeast Seed Network
Northern Appalachian - Atlantic Maritime Hub
A regional seed partnership focused on fostering communication, sharing knowledge, and creating communities of practice to enhance the accessibility of diverse, source-identified native seeds and plant materials for ecological restoration, ecological landscaping, and regenerative agriculture efforts across the region.
Cape Elizabeth Land Trust
Collaborative Partnership
Wild Seed Project’s Native Seed Center is located within CELT’s Turkey Hill Farm property in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Wild Seed Project also supports the ongoing ecological restoration of this historic farmstead.