Southern Ontario’s native seed strategy: a regional solution to address biodiversity, climate resilience, and reconciliation

New strategy maps out steps to scale up native seed supply to meet growing demand for seeds and plants.

January 14, 2025 – As communities strive to build climate resilience and reverse the trend of biodiversity loss, demand for readily available, ecologically appropriate native seed and plants continues to increase dramatically. Today, Carolinian Canada presents a new strategy as a regional solution to address the crises of climate change and biodiversity loss in southern Ontario.

Southern Ontario Seed Strategy: Healing the Land in Partnership with Native Plants includes recommendations to increase the quantity and diversity of native seeds in southern Ontario to meet ecological restoration and cultural needs over the next five years and beyond. The strategyaddresses the challenges, gaps, and opportunities to build a robust and ethical supply chain in the regionas governments seek to deliver on 2030 biodiversity commitments and goals for climate resilience.

Embedded in the strategy is the importance of grounding the growth of the sector in Indigenous leadership and reconciliation, as Indigenous Peoples have been stewards of the land since time immemorial with strong cultural practices associated with native seeds and plants.

Developed in collaboration with over 100 organizations and individuals, the Southern Ontario Seed Strategy is for all participants in the native plant supply chain, including native plant and seed producers and users/buyers, such as all levels of government, conservation authorities, and non-governmental organizations. The ability of governments and organizations to achieve goals related to climate resilience, biodiversity, control of invasive species, and expansion of green infrastructure depends on increased investment in the native plant sector.

Carolinian Canada and partners are committed to working toward implementing recommended actions in the strategy to increase restoration capacity in southern Ontario and heal relationships with the land and people. Support for the strategy was provided by the Greenbelt Foundation, Canadian Wildlife Federation, and Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Read the full strategy here: caroliniancanada.ca/seed

For more information, read backgrounder here .

Quotes:

“The demand for native plants is growing, driven by the need to meet climate and biodiversity restoration targets, as well as increasing interest in habitat gardening as people respond to climate change, biodiversity loss, and a desire to reconnect with nature. Yet, a critical shortage of native plants persists, threatening our ability to meet these priorities and restoration timelines. The SOSS aims to increase the supply and support the demand for genetically appropriate native seed, advancing restoration and reconciliation of people, wildlife and landscapes across southern Ontario.”

Jennifer Nantais, Healthy Habitat Manager, Carolinian Canada

"Indigenous stewardship of our lands and waters is a tradition that spans millennia, embodying a deep respect for the interconnectedness of all living things. In stepping forward to address the urgent needs of our ecosystems through the cultivation and propagation of native plants, we are not only working towards climate resilience and biodiversity restoration but are also honoring a legacy of ecological harmony. This report lights the path for a future where Indigenous wisdom and leadership are central to the healing and flourishing of our natural world. Together, through collaboration and mutual respect, we can cultivate landscapes that are not only resilient but also reflective of the rich cultural heritage and ecological knowledge that Indigenous Peoples bring to the table. It is time for us to grow together, nurturing the seeds of hope for a sustainable and reconciled future."

Sam Whiteye, Indigenous Leadership Director, Carolinian Canada

“Seeds are the foundation of all life on earth. Each species, all of them provide hope for growing healthy and productive ecosystems that are essential to all wildlife and human life. The Southern Ontario Seed Strategy will bring communities together, restore our relationship with seeds and help create a sustainable future for the next generations.”
Dan Werner, Operations Manager, Kayanase Greenhouse

“We all know and feel the intrinsic value and benefits of native plants. Those inherent benefits are why so many of us are so heavily involved in the business of promoting, profiling, and growing native plants. To meet growing needs for plants, we must increase the quantity and diversity of quality native seeds. Collectively, we also need to encourage and facilitate investment in a range of research topics that profile the ecological goods and services value of native plants, their value in supporting sectors like agriculture, business, recreation and of course the environment, and the real costs incurred by their losses.”

Rob Messervey, Vice-Chair, Ontario Native Plant Growers Association

"The Greenbelt Foundation is proud to be a long-term supporter of the Southern Ontario Seed Strategy, which aligns with our mission to restore ecosystems and promote climate resilience. This initiative is crucial for fostering biodiversity, enhancing climate resilience, and building stronger connections between Indigenous knowledge and environmental stewardship. By increasing the supply of native seeds and plants, we can not only restore ecosystems but also promote sustainable practices that benefit future generations."

Edward McDonnell, CEO, The Greenbelt Foundation

"It was an honour for the Canadian Wildlife Federation to partner with Carolinian Canada on the development of the Southern Ontario Seed Strategy and their collaborative, two-eyed seeing approach. Native seeds represent hope for the future and restoration of land and relationships are possible with good intentions, hard work, and seeds. We envision a future for southern Ontario with degraded land restored to its native vegetation and the resulting benefits to biodiversity and people."
Carolyn Callaghan, Senior Conservation Biologist, Canadian Wildlife Federation

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