Implementing an ethical Southern Ontario Seed Strategy

By: Carolinian Canada Coalition
Native plants, commonly defined in North America as species that existed on the land prior to European
colonization, are the foundation of healthy biodiversity and resilient ecosystems. Having evolved with
local environmental conditions, such as soils, climate, and other native wildlife, and having had strong
relationships with Indigenous peoples since time immemorial, these plants provide the best suited
resources to support local ecosystems and communities. Ontario is home to thousands of native plant
species that form the basis of a diverse web of life.

Eastern Giant Swallowtail on Rough Blazingstar. Photo Credit: Amy Hall

Unfortunately, over the past century, we have experienced rapid ecosystem change in Ontario due to
urban and industrial development, which has resulted in significant losses of biodiversity and caused
many native plant species to become rare, at risk, or, in some cases, locally extinct. The call to action to protect and restore habitat, reverse the trend of biodiversity loss, and return native plants to the landscape in the spirit and practice of reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples is growing.

As a result, demand for native seed and plants is rising to meet shared goals for biodiversity, ecological
restoration, reconciliation, and climate resilience on the landscape and serve the increasing interest
among gardeners and property managers.

Native plant sale featuring In the Zone plant tags. Photo Credit: Sarah Winterton.

As demand for native seed and plants grows, opportunities and markets for these plants are accelerating, from ecological restoration and municipal green infrastructure projects to
eco-landscaping and backyard wildlife gardens. The problem that many growers are facing, however, is that they cannot meet this growing demand due to a range of challenges in the native plant supply chain, including the lack of native seed supply, insufficient timelines to produce desired plants, and limited to no information required to forecast future plant needs, to name a few* . The urgent need for a native seed strategy in southern Ontario has never been clearer to address challenges in the sector and prioritize actions for native seed and plants.

Milkweed and Brome seed. Photo Credit: Amy Hall.

The development of a Southern Ontario Seed Strategy (SOSS) was initiated in 2021 with the mission to
restore relationships with the land and people in the spirit and practice of reconciliation.

Guided by diverse perspectives and shared interests of a collective of over 150 groups and individuals,
the SOSS process has been rooted in partnerships and collaboration. Aligning and coordinating efforts
across the sector is important work that no one group can do alone. Moreover, to ensure an ethical,
holistic native seed strategy, it has been essential to reflect diverse voices and knowledge, prioritize
space for Indigenous leadership, and root this shared work in co-creation and Two-Eyed Seeing.

The SOSS aims to prioritize actions to build capacity in the sector to grow more native plants and ensure a reliable supply of native seed needed to restore and enhance healthy landscapes for all.
The release of the SOSS in the spring of 2024 is anticipated by many in southern Ontario to help align
partnerships, build capacity for the sector, and amplify current and future priorities for native seed
stewardship in the region.

Learn more about the SOSS and other native seed saving activities at www.caroliancanada.ca/seed.

* The Economy of Hope: Growing Healthy Landscapes in the Greater Golden Horseshoe in Partnership with Native Plants. S. Winterton, V. James, S. Mullally, A. Hall, S. Weber, M. Kanter. 2024. Carolinian Canada Coalition.