To raise awareness about the importance of forest buffers along Chesapeake Bay tributaries, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay coordinates native tree seed collection in conjunction with the Potomac Conservancy's "Growing Native" program. The Alliance coordinates seed collection through our RestoreCorps program - a restoration initiative designed to empower local communities with on the ground projects by providing restoration expertise and an infusion of volunteers.

Why Participate?

In the last few years, foresters have been planting more native seedlings to replenish the native trees that had experienced a significant decline due to development, non-native species intrusion, and other threats. These trees had once provided habitat, stabilized our riverbanks and protected water quality of our river and streams. In the face of such overwhelming demand, state nurseries are experiencing a shortage of seeds to raise native seedlings for plantings. The supply must be replenished so that important restoration projects in the watershed can be completed in the future.

For more details, check out the Potomac Conservancy's Growing Native website.

To participate in Growing Native in Central and Eastern Maryland, contact the Alliance at (410) 377-6270. We aim to expand this project for autumn 2008. If you know of a good park, campus, church property or even a cemetery that has healthy old trees that are suitable to collect from, please use the form below. Teachers are encouraged to involve their classes - contact us for details on growing out your seeds in school.

For the list of trees species needed, visit the official Growing Native site.