The purpose of the Northeast Seed Network's Species Selection Committee is to develop species/taxa lists for production based on guidelines established by the committee. The committee periodically reviews and updates the lists, making adjustments as needed based on production outcomes and changes in demand. Additionally, if regional hubs or partners create more targeted species lists, the committee will provide guidance on the process of identifying and prioritizing species

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From January to May of 2023, this group worked to implement Recommendation 2.1 from the 2023 Assessment of Native Seed Needs and the Capacity for Their Supply, which calls for the development of region-specific priority species lists. This helps suppliers focus on producing species and ecotypes most likely to be in demand. A list of 67 total taxa across 29 genera for New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine was compiled by a team of experts (Access list here). This list is a starting point and is periodically reviewed and updated based on production results and shifting demand.

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The species included are suited for a range of restoration efforts—from home gardening to large-scale projects—and are found in diverse habitats such as grasslands, coastal areas, forests, and wetlands. They are used in roadside turfgrass conversion, urban forestry, agroforestry, rain gardens, and more.

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​This list was compiled by a team of experts who work with native plant materials in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is not intended to be a one-size-fits-all list that will suit the needs of everyone involved in the Northeast Seed Network, but rather a place to start. We invite you to carefully review the list and then use your best judgment in determining which seeds you will focus on. Note that this is Version 1 of the list.

 

A big thank you to our contributors: Sefra Alexandra, Eve Allen, Jackie Anderson, Todd Bittner, Mark Brownlee, John Campanelli, Matt Charpentier, Fran Chismar, Russ Cohen, Alexis Doshas, Missy Fabel, Elizabeth Falk, Lindsey Feinberg, Camille Joseph, Leonard Kenney, Tom Knezick, Julia Kuzovkina, Ulrich Lorimer, Darryl Newman, Michael Piantedosi, Emily Rauch, Linda Rohleder, Jessica Schuler, Trevor Smith, Dan Jaffe Wilder, and Steve Young.

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