Framing a National Native Seed Strategy for Canada

Public Interest Survey

Native plants are the basis of all healthy ecosystems on land. They are beautiful and powerful; only plants can sequester carbon at the scale needed to slow climate warming. Flourishing native plants also provide us with shade, flowers, and local food. In order to meet national restoration targets, we need to be thoughtful and strategic about the conservation and cultivation of native plants and their seeds.

The Canadian Wildlife Federation has just started a process that will identify gaps and opportunities within native plant conservation and seed-based restoration. In doing so, we hope to learn from native plant champions across Canada about what is needed most to advance this essential work. Your feedback will help us understand current gaps in capacity, as well as groups and individuals who are interested in helping frame an actionable strategy. There are 14 questions total and should take less than 10 minutes to complete. Thank you for participating.

Question Title

* 1. First, tell us a bit about yourself

Name

Organization / Affiliation

E-mail Contact

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* 2. We are organizing future workshops and focus groups to frame an actionable National Native Seed Strategy; can we add you to our contact list?

Yes

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* 3. Which region(s) do you work in? Select all that apply

British Columbia

Maritime Province(s)

Northern Ontario and/or Manitoba

Nunavut, Yukon and/or Northwest Territories

Québec

Saskatchewan and/or Alberta

Southern Ontario

Other (please specify)

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* 4. Do you work in or with First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis Communities?

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* 5. Which options best describe your work with plants and habitat stewardship. Select all that apply

Native Plant research, stewardship and/or conservation

Habitat improvement and restoration

Community/Regional seed saving, seed sharing network

Land reclamation, environmental remediation

Forestry/ Timber Production & Harvesting

Parks, recreation and/or natural resource management

Plant medicines, food and/or human health and wellbeing

Wholesale producer, growing native plants (pots, bare-root, seedling plugs) and/or growing/collecting native plant seeds

Wholesale producer, growing non-native plants (pots, bare-root, seedling plugs), and/or growing/collecting nonnative plant seeds (e.g. agricultural and ornamental species)

Horticultural retail sales, marketing and/or distribution

Policy, outreach, awareness, community engagement

Education, training, knowledge transfer

Landscaping, planning and/or design

Environmental consulting

Other (please specify)

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* 6. Why do you think a focus on native plant conservation and seed-saving is strategic? Select all that apply.

Native plants are culturally important to Indigenous people, and considered sacred kin; they are medicine and food

Native plants sequester carbon and will help mitigate the effects of climate change

Native plants form natural green infrastructure that buffers storm water, filters drinking water, and improves soil fertility.

Growing native plants supports green jobs and is part of a regenerative economy.

Growing native plants is a meaningful way to engage all citizens in restoration

Native plants have inherent rights that should be respected; plants are partners in life, and we need to give back to them.

Plants are primary producers, and the foundation of terrestrial food webs; they host and feed rare and at-risk animals

It's time to invest in tangible climate adaptation work, emergency planning, and wild food security through seed conservation

All of the above

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 7. From your perspective, what are the most strategic improvements that could be made to native seed-based restoration in Canada?

Increase species and genetic diversity of plants used in restoration

Improve guidelines for seed transfer to maintain genetic integrity under climate-driven assisted migration.

Improve the health, quality and survival rate of native plants grown for restoration purposes.

Improve communication between sectors and/or land managers to conserve native plant habitat and future seed sources

Greater incorporation of Indigenous rights, worldviews, and equity within the native seed-based restoration sector.

Investment to fill critical gaps in infrastructure and workforce that would accelerate the growth of native plants and strengthen supply chains.

All of the above

Other (please specify)

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* 8. Which resources would be most helpful in your work with native plants? Select all that apply

Seed collection and propagation information

Coordinated supply/demand and long-term procurement planning

Research on seed-based restoration best-practice in Canada

Capacity support for native plant farms/greenhouses

Skilled restoration workforce/financial security

Indigenous plant names and/or Traditional Ecological Knowledge related to plants

Tech tools and/or seed transfer zones to track and specify ecologically appropriate wildtype seed

Community/Landowner incentives to maintain or restore local native plant populations

Other (please specify)

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* 9. If resources were available, such as funding, or more seeds, what types of additional projects might your organization take on over five years as part of a strategic effort to conserve native plants? Select all that apply

Protect, restore and reclaim more land

Monitor and collect seed from keystone restoration species where seed mixes are needed

Establish seed conservation gardens, orchard, or seed production areas for focal species

Research local/regional native plant industry and supply chain; help coordinate supply and demand

Bank more seed from target plant groups (taxonomic or functional group)

Expand community involvement in plant conservation and Eco literacy through local seed workshops and networks

Create outreach, educational or artistic work reflecting the importance of native seeds.

Grow additional plant species, or formats to meet needs in the novel urban environment (i.e. rooftops)

Other (please specify)

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* 10. If support was available, how might you be able to increase and expand your own work to grow more native plants and seeds? Select all that apply

We have additional greenhouse/nursery/farm space to expand native plant propagation

We could potentially adapt/convert existing seed processing and storage for native grasses and wildflowers

We have expertise to expand and tailor existing native seed training programs

We could research/monitor local seed sources and restored populations

We could research/monitor seed-based restoration methods, handling and storage techniques

We could create and expand policies that promote local native plants as green infrastructure

We could create and expand native plant procurement policies that better reflect production timelines and support a regenerative economy.

We could create and expand tech tools to track wild seed sources, and authenticate wildtype seeds and plants

Other (please specify)

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* 11. Would you like to participate in a collaborative National Native Seed Strategy through workshops, joining a taskforce, or reviewing documents?

Yes- I'd like to join the conversation today!

Maybe- Please email me with updates and opportunities to connect.

No-

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* 12. Which experiences and perspectives would you bring to a discussion about the conservation and restoration of native plants? Select all that apply

Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis)

Plants-person (gardener, field botanist, naturalist, horticulturalist etc)

Habitat Stewardship and ecological consulting

Habitat Restoration and land reclamation

Research and writing

Agriculture/Farming (seed and crop production)

Forestry, mining and natural resource management

Outreach, education & training

Community development, health and wellbeing

Policy development- government or organization

Other (please specify)

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* 13. How would you like to participate in a National Native Seed Strategy? Select all that apply.

I would like to join a parallel process led by, and for, Indigenous people, to help inform a National Native Seed Strategy

I would like to join a content creation taskforce, contributing to written elements of the strategy

I would like to join a NNSS project advisory committee, and collaborate through monthly meetings

I would like to collaborate in a regional, or sector-based workshop to discuss priorities, barriers, and possible solutions

I would like to assist with internal and external communication, outreach and networking

I would like to help shape the vision statement, and review draft documents as needed.

Right now, I just want to join the conversation to listen, learn and provide input where I can.

Other (please specify)

None of the above

Framing a National Native Seed Strategy for Canada

Public Interest Survey

Question Title

* 1. First, tell us a bit about yourself

Question Title

* 2. We are organizing future workshops and focus groups to frame an actionable National Native Seed Strategy; can we add you to our contact list?

Question Title

* 3. Which region(s) do you work in? Select all that apply

Question Title

* 4. Do you work in or with First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis Communities?

Question Title

* 5. Which options best describe your work with plants and habitat stewardship. Select all that apply

Question Title

* 6. Why do you think a focus on native plant conservation and seed-saving is strategic? Select all that apply.

Question Title

* 7. From your perspective, what are the most strategic improvements that could be made to native seed-based restoration in Canada?

Question Title

* 8. Which resources would be most helpful in your work with native plants? Select all that apply

Question Title

* 9. If resources were available, such as funding, or more seeds, what types of additional projects might your organization take on over five years as part of a strategic effort to conserve native plants? Select all that apply

Question Title

* 10. If support was available, how might you be able to increase and expand your own work to grow more native plants and seeds? Select all that apply

Question Title

* 11. Would you like to participate in a collaborative National Native Seed Strategy through workshops, joining a taskforce, or reviewing documents?

Question Title

* 12. Which experiences and perspectives would you bring to a discussion about the conservation and restoration of native plants? Select all that apply

Question Title

* 13. How would you like to participate in a National Native Seed Strategy? Select all that apply.

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* 14. Please provide any additional comments or feedback on how to improve this survey.