The intervale center is proposing to build on our partnership started in 2022 with US fish and wildlife service (USFWS) partners for fish and wildlife program to coordinate a native seeds project with…

The Intervale Center, Inc. received a $426,000 Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) under the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program (CFDA 15.631), effective September 1, 2025, through May 19, 2026. The award funds a native seeds initiative designed to identify, collect, process, and distribute high-quality native tree and shrub seeds for riparian habitat restoration projects in the Lake Champlain watershed. Working in partnership with the Northwoods Stewardship Center, the Intervale Center will deploy trained seed collection crews to secure 60 million seeds, expand the seed collection database by 120 sites, and distribute processed seeds to five nurseries and direct seeding projects. Additionally, the award supports propagation of 75,000 native plant stems and experimentation with four challenging-to-propagate species.

The award includes comprehensive outreach and knowledge-sharing components, with deliverables including four newsletters, four social media posts, one blog post, and presentations at three local and national conferences. These products and services directly support USFWS conservation priorities by enhancing habitat availability for migratory birds and native fish species while establishing the Intervale Center as a critical coordinating entity among Vermont organizations engaged in seed collection, propagation, and direct seeding activities.

The intervale center is proposing to build on our partnership started in 2022 with US fish and wildlife service (USFWS) partners for fish and wildlife program to coordinate a native seeds project with the intention to identify, collect, and facilitate high-quality native tree and shrub seed for direct seeding in restoration projects and for propagation by native tree nurseries. The intervale center is proposing a new award built on shared values and goals to restore, enhance, and preserve riparian habitat to benefit migratory birds and native fish species. This next step in this work will focus on expanding seed collection to further both research into direct seeding and the growing nursery sector. With this award, the intervale centers team will continue to provide a critical link between organizations and entities across vermont who collect seed, direct seed, and propagate native plant material for conservation projects through scouting, monitoring, and coordinating seed collection, ensuring that partners, including USFWS, have the seeds they need to increase plant availability and health. This project will improve and restore riparian habitat in the lake champlain watershed.-successfully secure funding, train and deploy seed collection crews to secure 60 million seeds, in close partnership with northwoods stewardship center. Clean, process, store, and distribute seed to 5 nurseries and direct seeding projects.-add 120 sites to the seed collection database and continue to refine data management.-complete four newsletters, four social media posts, one blog post, and presentations at three local and national conferences.-support the propagation of 75,000 stems and experiment with four species that are challenging to propagate.