On Monday, the Department of the Interior (DOI) announced a National Seed Strategy聽designed to aid in the rehabilitation and restoration of landscapes damaged by fire,聽invasive species, storms, and drought, according to a .听
The strategy was developed through a collaboration聽between聽a dozen federal聽agencies and more than 300 nonfederal partners. It calls for improvements in seed production and restoration technology and emphasizes the importance of locally adapted seeds, which serve as critical natural defenses.
It was unveiled at the Bureau of Land Management Boise Regional Seed Warehouse, a location chosen for its proximity to Idaho鈥檚 Soda Fire, which has聽burned 280,000 acres as of Monday, according to the .
鈥淭he focus is on making available the most appropriate seed for a given location by聽using seed zones, seed transfer guidelines, and genetically appropriate materials that聽have a high likelihood of success when planted,鈥 Jeff Krauss, spokesperson for the Bureau of Land Management, told聽国产吃瓜黑料.听鈥淭his will help put the right seed in the right place at the right time.鈥
The strategy also outlines the establishment of a nationwide network of seed聽specialists, including:
- Native seed collectors
- Farmers and growers, to develop seed
- Nurseries and seed storage facilities, to store and supply appropriate seeds
- Restoration ecologists working on the ground
鈥淥ur nation鈥檚 seed resources are in danger, not only from extinction聽but also from聽misuse when nonlocal source seed is used,鈥 said Krauss.听鈥淎s such, our nation鈥檚 seed聽resources are in need of the same kind of forward-thinking management we demand for聽other valued natural resources, such as wildlife.鈥