BLM-(WO), Seed Banking for Resiliency in the Eastern US Project

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This project will provide an opportunity for youth over a five-year period to successfully make an estimated 1,400 seed collections of foundation native plant species in the eastern United States to restore tidal marshes and beaches that were impacted by Hurricane Sandy. The youth will be part of the Conservation and Land Management Internship Program (CLM) administered through the Chicago Botanic Garden, and will be properly trained to use the Seeds of Success Technical Protocol. The CLM program places 75-100 youth per year on BLM public land, National Forests, FWS refuges and NPS parks. Our project will engage the next generation of land stewards who are committed to the protection, restoration and enhancement of the natural and cultural resources along the Eastern seaboard. The youth will be placed with 3 seed collection coordinating centers in the East - New England Wild Flower Society, Greenbelt Native Plant Center in New York City, and North Carolina Botanical Garden, all of whom are Seeds of Success partners. The public is already concerned about future impacts of climate change on public lands and this project will address those concerns in a scientifically supported manner. Locally adapted, regionally appropriate and genetically diverse plant materials are key to effective restoration projects today and to increasing the resilience of coastal habitats to future storms and sea level rise. Not only will this conserve coastal habitat themselves, but also the fish and wildlife species they support, and their associated ecosystem services, including flood abatement and other economic and recreational benefits. The public benefits from sustained health and productivity of public lands, and improved reclamation and restoration of disturbed public land. The public will only view benefits from this project and will have no problems or concerns with the project. The Secretary of the Interior recently announced an ambitious initiative to reconnect youth to the outdoors. For the health of our economy and our public lands, it�s critical to establish meaningful and deep connections between young people- from every background and every community and the great outdoors. Ramping up the 21st Century Conservation Corps and developing the next generation of land stewards and diverse, future workforce are key objectives.

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