Local Seed, Lasting Impact
Access to locally adapted, climate-resilient seed is extremely limited across New Mexico. That’s why Rio Grande Return, in partnership with Ciudad and Valencia Soil & Water Conservation Districts, launched the Wildland Seed Harvesting Program in the summer of 2024. This initiative is helping build a reliable local seed supply that supports restoration, drought resilience, and wildlife habitat – starting right here in our own backyard. After connecting with landowners through land trusts, SWCDs, and watershed groups, we began collecting native seed from healthy wild populations between September and November 2024. We also partnered with New Mexico Game and Fish and local Pueblos to gather seed from culturally and ecologically important species, including native grasses, pollinator-friendly wildflowers, and select shrubs.
All seed collected will go directly into local restoration projects, bringing immediate ecological benefits across the region. This program doesn’t just protect native plant communities – it compensates private landowners who collaborate with us on seed collection. We’re continuing into 2025 and actively looking for new partners. Do you have healthy native plants on your land? Want to join us? Fill out this form!
Native seed from wildlands carries deep local adaptation – genetic traits honed by generations of survival in specific soils, climates, and ecosystems. By responsibly harvesting and replanting these seeds, we:
- Support long-term restoration success
- Reduce dependence on costly out-of-state seed
- Empower landowners to steward native biodiversity
We believe this model can be scaled up. Just as we’ve piloted innovative strategies to restore native plant cover on fallowed farmlands, we’re now working to prove that wildland seed harvesting can significantly grow New Mexico’s native seed supply – with the right tools, partners, and community support.
