GIVE
GIVE

Seed keepers

Take What You Need, Give What You Can

Led by local scientists and restoration experts, “Seed Keepers” offers guided sessions on seed harvesting and processing to build the region’s first-ever community seed library. You’ll discover the critical role of local genotype seeds in strengthening the resilience of our shorelines and native plantings. This series not only educates but also empowers community members to play a pivotal role in conserving our coastal ecosystems.

Special thanks to research collaborators Dr. Taylor Sloey and Dr. Erik Yando of ODU’s Wetland Plant and Restoration Lab and research fellow Eric Liu. Seed Keepers of the Elizabeth River is made possible by a generous donation from the JP Doherty Foundation.

Current Seed Inventory

  • Schizachyrium scoparium Little bluestem
  • Kosteletzkya virginica Seashore mallow
  • Juncus roemarianus Black needlerush
  • Physostegia virginiana ‘Miss Manners’ Obedient plant
  • Symphyotrichum oblongifolius Aromatic aster
  • Andropogon glomeratus Bushy bluestem
  • Eragrostis spectabilis Purple lovegrass
  • Conoclinium coelestinum Blue mistflower
  • Rudbeckia fulgida Orange coneflower
  • Penstemon digitalis Foxglove beardtongue

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is a seed library? A seed library is a place where people can borrow seeds to grow and then return some of the seeds to the library. Seed libraries help build cultural and environmental resilience.
  • Why save seeds? Saving seeds from our native plants preserves their biodiversity. Locally-grown native plants are adapted to our regional conditions, so they are more environmentally resilient. Community access to native seeds also build cultural resilience, placing the power to restore native habitats into the hands of everyday people.
  • What kind of seeds can I get and give here? This is a native plant seed library, so we only accept donations of seeds from plants native to the southeastern coastal plain (including the eastern Carolinas). We accept seed from wild sources as well as from gardens. Please make sure to note the source of your seed when you bring in donations.
  • How do I harvest seeds? The short answer is, it depends! For most native flowering plants, you will wait until the plant flowers, sets seed, and that seed turns brown and dry. Use scissors or clippers to carefully cut off the seedhead without damaging the larger plant. Depending on the seeds, you may want to clean or process them. We hold workshops on seed harvesting and processing each fall at the Ryan Resilience Lab – join us.
  • Am I allowed to harvest seeds from wild places? Excellent question! Laws about wild seed collection vary from city to city and site to site. Please research the regulations where you plan to harvest and ask if you are not sure. Please NEVER harvest seed from a plant that you cannot identify. Whether you’re harvesting from a garden or a natural area, we encourage you to practice the honorable harvest. Learn more about the honorable harvest.

 

For additional questions and to get involved, contact Luísa Black Ellis, lblack@elizabethriver.org.