Catskills Native Plant and Seed Alliance
Coming together to celebrate and enhance the crucial role each of us can play in fortifying healthy ecosystems.
The lead team from Catskill Mountainkeeper is a regional champion of healthy ecosystems. This project exists at the intersection of their work with farmers, advocacy, climate action, and protecting pollinators.
What Pollinators Need...
Our "seed-shed" illustration (above) highlights our wholistic approach to pollinator habitat restoration. Butterflies, birds, healthy soil, clean water... we are all in this together.
1. The Project Begins
With so much already happening around the celebration and restoration of ecotypic plants in the Catskills, our partnership begins with gathering a team to pull together amazing people committed to regional seed-shed development.
The Taxa Team
Botanists and regional plant specialists have worked together to co-create a Catskills Riparian buffer top 28 species (see below)
Farmer Outreach
Convening growers and providing mentorship as farmers begin seed increase plots throughout the region.
Regional Network Development
Field days and zoom calls and seed swaps will join aligned farmers, conservationists, gardeners, and restoration practitioners
2. Our Taxa Team Convenes...
Special thanks to all who helped create an initial set of keystone riparian buffer species to target for our first wild collections. The task was to develop a starter set of pollinator friendly flowers and grasses that would focus on the restoration of habitat, writ large, along rivers. Click on the images below to go to each organization's website!
Download the Catskills Riparian Buffer Target Taxa List
3. Plants in the Ground!...
With four flagship farms and 5 species in production, the Catskills is off to a great start. Please click the images below to learn more about each farm.
Follow along with the seed increase plots by joining out network meetings! (Sign up with your email below). If you are interested in becoming a seed farmer, please fill out the contact form below and our project leads at Catskills Mountainkeeper will keep you in the loop.
Use this link to join us and sign up for regional seed and plant alliance happenings!