Purpose of award summary of the goals and objectives of the projectexsitu research for seed supply and production techniques in a geographically strategic location to support post fire restoration…

This Cooperative Agreement award from the National Park Service (NPS) under the federal Natural Resource Stewardship program (CFDA 15.944) provides $351,588.23 in funding to the Laguna De Santa Rosa Foundation for ex-situ research and seed production to increase the availability of source-identified native seeds and container plants for post-fire restoration efforts on Department of the Interior (DOI) lands.

The key activities under this award include developing a 2-acre field for specialized native seed production, establishing trial fields within the first year, and maintaining them through 2029. This project will result in increased quantity, diversity, and effectiveness of native forbs and grasses to support wildlife habitat restoration and post-wildfire rehabilitation across DOI lands. The award date is January 8, 2025, with a targeted completion date of December 31, 2029.

Purpose of award summary of the goals and objectives of the projectexsitu research for seed supply and production techniques in a geographically strategic location to support post fire restoration seed increase. Activities include field development, seed selection and development, along with ancillary seed increase and container production supplying DOI land managers with usable plant materials. Project results in the development of an important seed supplier in a geographically strategic location able to support multiple DOI bureaus.summary of project specific activitiesproject supports plug production and the development of a twoacre field for specialized seed production to address a lack of productive capacity in the geographic region for this type of seed production. Project includes planning, development of production fields, cultivation, cleaning, and storage. Project also supports development of insitu grassland and postfire restoration plots using plugs produced under this project. Performance goals including milestones and expected outcomesthis project will increase availability of sourceidentified seed and container plants from DOI lands to enable widespread postfire restoration. Project will result in the advance of productive capacity for seed production of specialized niche seed production needs, seed for use in restoration projects, and capacity for further field increase. Trial fields will be established within one year and be maintained through year five. Beneficiariesproject increases the quantity, diversity, and effectiveness of native forbs and grasses for restoration of wildlife habitats and rehabilitation postwildfires and other disturbance. Beyond ancillary benefit of seed and plants, program serves a public purpose by increasing resilience of public lands to climate change through adaptation research, buffering increases in wildfire severity and intensity using seedbased restoration, and allows for public land managers to preserve and enhance our nations biodiversity for the enjoyment of the public.