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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

  • Achillea millefolium Common Yarrow Coral Cultivar
  • Andropogon glomeratus Bushy Bluestem
  • Asclepias incarnata Swamp Milkweed
  • Asclepias incarnata Swamp Milkweed ‘Ice Ballet’
  • Asclepias syriaca Common Milkweed
  • Asclepias tuberosa Butterflyweed
  • Baptisia australis Blue False Indigo
  • Bidens aristosa Bearded Beggarticks
  • Borrichia frutescens Seaside Tansy
  • Carex radiata Eastern Star Sedge
  • Cercis canadensis Eastern Redbud
  • Chamaechrista fasciculata Partridge Pea
  • Chasmanthium latifolium River Oats
  • Clethra alnifolia Sweet Pepperbush
  • Conoclinium coelestinum Blue Mistflower
  • Coreopsis sp. Tickseed
  • Diospyros virginiana American Persimmon
  • Echinacea purpurea Coneflower ‘White Swan’
  • Euonymous americana Hearts-a-burstin’
  • Eupatorium perfoliatum Common Boneset
  • Eutrochium dubium Coastal Joe-Pye Weed
  • Gaillardia pulchella Blanket Flower
  • Hibiscus coccineus Scarlet Rosemallow
  • Kosteletzkya virginica Seashore Mallow
  • Liatris sp. Blazing Star
  • Monarda punctata Spotted beebalm
  • Monarda sp Wild bergamot
  • Ostrya virginiana American Hophornbeam
  • Packera aurea Golden Ragwort
  • Passiflora lutea Yellow Passionflower
  • Penstemon digitalis Foxglove Beardtongue
  • Rudbeckia hirta Black-eyed Susan
  • Rudbeckia laciniata Cutleaf Coneflower
  • Sisynrinchium angustifolius Blue-eyed Grass
  • Solidago rugosa Wrinkleleaf Goldenrod ‘Fireworks’
  • Solidago sempervirens Seaside Goldenrod
  • Symphyotrichum novae-angliae New England Aster
  • Thermopsis villosa Carolina Lupine
  • Vernonia noveboracensis New York Ironweed
  • Zizia aurea Golden Alexander

 

Seed availability subject to change.

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.

River Academy Lecture Hall Request

Thank you for your interest in the Elizabeth River Project’s River Academy Lecture Hall. We’re delighted that our site is in high demand. As the River Academy Lecture Hall is operated by a small non-profit with a big environmental mission, please help us make sure your event is a great fit.

Please fill this form out at least 30 days in advance of the event.

NOTE: This form does not confirm your reservation, reservations are confirmed upon ERP receipt of signed contract and paid deposit.

Event Type(Required)
*Rates include up to 3 hours for meetings on weekdays and weeknights, and 6 hours for events on the weekends, including setup and takedown. Additional time will be billed at 20% per hour
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Our maximum capacity is 50 for theater or presentation style events and 30 for classroom style.
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We would like the Elizabeth River Project to make a 3-5 minute announcement at the start of the event regarding the mission and ways to get involved(Required)
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We would like the Elizabeth River Project to make a 3-5 minute announcement at the start of the event regarding the mission and ways to get involved

If given the go-ahead for our event, sponsor organization agrees to these River Academy Lecture Hall policies:

Yes, we agree to sustainable/responsible event practices(Required)
Yes, we will adhere to start and end times (15-minute leeway) and will return the space to the condition in which you found it.(Required)

Additionally, sponsor organization agrees to these administrative/liability requirements:

  • ERP maintains insurance for its activities at the River Academy Lecture Hall. Sponsoring organizations should ensure that they have appropriate insurance coverage as well.
  • Weapons are prohibited.
  • Open flames generally are prohibited (special permission only).
  • Outdoor guests will be required to exit the Park during thunder, lightning, high winds or any circumstance deemed hazardous by ERP.
  • Waiver of Claims: Sponsoring organizations agree to release, waive all claims, discharge, and covenant not to sue Elizabeth River Project, its officers, employees, volunteers, and agents from liability from any and all claims resulting in personal injury, accidents or illnesses and property loss arising from, but not limited to, participation in the event and related tours, due to the negligence of sponsor, sponsor's employees, or event participants.
  • Notice of Claims: Sponsor agrees to provide immediate notice to ERP if any participant either files, or threatens to file, a claim arising from or related to the event, so that ERP can notify its insurance carriers.
  • COVID Statement: Participants will monitor their own health prior to reporting to any Elizabeth River Project event/activity. If any signs or symptoms of infection are present, the individual must not report to the event.
  • Photo Release: Photos of the event may be shared as part of grant reporting or posted on Elizabeth River Project website/social media unless otherwise specified by the sponsor organization.
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Ryan Resilience Lab Event Request

Thank you for your interest in the Elizabeth River Project’s Ryan Resilience Lab. We’re delighted that our site is in high demand. As the Ryan Resilience Lab is operated by a small non-profit with a big environmental mission, please help us make sure your event is a great fit.

Please fill this form out at least 30 days in advance of the event.

NOTE: This form does not confirm your reservation, reservations are confirmed upon ERP receipt of signed contract and paid deposit.

Event Type(Required)
*Rates include up to 3 hours for meetings on weekdays and weeknights, and 6 hours for events on the weekends, including setup and takedown. Additional time will be billed at 20% per hour
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Our maximum for indoor seated events is 85 theater style and 45 classroom style. For standing receptions, the maximum is 100 indoors or 125 indoor-outdoor.
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Start Time(Required)
:
End Time(Required)
:
Set Up Time
:
Take Down Time
:
Set Up Preferences(Required)
Check all that apply
Audio/Visual Needs(Required)
Check all that apply
We would like to offer attendees the option to tour the Ryan lab(Required)
We would like the Elizabeth River Project to make a 3-5 minute announcement at the start of the event regarding the mission and ways to get involved(Required)
This field is hidden when viewing the form
We would like the Elizabeth River Project to make a 3-5 minute announcement at the start of the event regarding the mission and ways to get involved

If given the go-ahead for our event, sponsor organization agrees to these Ryan Lab policies:

Yes, we agree to sustainable/responsible event practices(Required)
Yes, we will adhere to start and end times (15-minute leeway) and will return the space to the condition in which you found it.(Required)

Additionally, sponsor organization agrees to these administrative/liability requirements:

  • ERP maintains insurance for its activities at the Ryan Lab. Sponsoring organizations should ensure that they have appropriate insurance coverage as well.
  • Weapons are prohibited.
  • Open flames generally are prohibited (special permission only).
  • Outdoor guests will be required to exit the Learning Park during thunder, lightning, high winds or any circumstance deemed hazardous by ERP.
  • Waiver of Claims: Sponsoring organizations agree to release, waive all claims, discharge, and covenant not to sue Elizabeth River Project, its officers, employees, volunteers, and agents from liability from any and all claims resulting in personal injury, accidents or illnesses and property loss arising from, but not limited to, participation in the event and related tours, due to the negligence of sponsor, sponsor's employees, or event participants.
  • Notice of Claims: Sponsor agrees to provide immediate notice to ERP if any participant either files, or threatens to file, a claim arising from or related to the event, so that ERP can notify its insurance carriers.
  • COVID Statement: Participants will monitor their own health prior to reporting to any Elizabeth River Project event/activity. If any signs or symptoms of infection are present, the individual must not report to the event.
  • Photo Release: Photos of the event may be shared as part of grant reporting or posted on Elizabeth River Project website/social media unless otherwise specified by the sponsor organization.
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Youth Water Monitoring Results

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