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Zach Wood was recently named manager for the Georgia Native Seed Network, a new initiative to create a supply of native seeds for restoration projects in Georgia.

In July, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia received $1.6 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to create the native seed network. Wood’s position is the first of many that will be created to support the initiative, including additional conservation experts who will collect seeds from the different ecoregions of Georgia.

Originally from Swainsboro, Georgia, Wood received his bachelor’s degree in natural resources management from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. He’s served as the State Botanical Garden’s grasslands coordinator since 2021.

As grasslands coordinator, he has provided technical advisory services for private landowners and partnering agencies regarding grassland restoration and habitat work. He has also already been working on collecting seeds to restore habitats, as he realized the need for native seeds in Georgia is significant.

When a natural disaster occurs, such as a wildfire, replanting the vegetation may be necessary. However, the State Botanical Garden and its partners cannot purchase the native plant material they need to tackle restoration projects in Georgia, because the seeds are not available. 

“The development of native plant material is a high priority for the U.S. Department of Interior and Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure we meet future habitat restoration demands and prepare for future natural disaster recovery actions following severe storms or wildfires occurring on public and private lands,” said Joe Kirsch, fish and wildlife biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The collected seeds will be propagated and farmed for critical restoration projects. Some of the plants grown will also be put into trade for commercial producers to grow and sell to increase the supply of native plants for consumers.

“This grant will help create a new market for agricultural producers,” said Wood. “It’s expensive to start the market, so if we can create a demand and support growers, we can help until the demand catches up.”

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, a unit of Public Service and Outreach at the University of Georgia, is a hub for plant conservation and native species production. The garden is the headquarters for the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance, a network of more than 75 institutions, agencies and organizations committed to ecological land management, native plant conservation, and protection of rare and endangered plants.

“We are excited for Zach to begin this new role that will be critical for the Georgia Native Seed Network,” said Jennifer Cruse-Sanders, director of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. “This project represents more than a decade of research and evaluation at the State Botanical Garden to develop native plant materials for conservation. It will have a profound impact on restoration and conservation throughout the southeastern U.S.”

For more information about the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and the Georgia Native Seed Network, visit botgarden.uga.edu.

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