BLM CA Support of National Seed Strategy to Produce Ecologically Native Plant

In 2015 the Plant Conservation Alliance released the National Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration: 2015-2020, for which the BLM was a participant and signatory. Also in 2015, the White House released the National Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators. Implementation of these strategies by the BLM includes increasing the availability of genetically and ecologically appropriate native plant seed, and nursery stock for restoration. Within the Mojave Desert Ecoregion over 1 million acres have burned since 2005, severely impacting habitat for the Federally Threatened Mojave desert tortoise. Invasive species infestation have also greatly expanded, in both upland and riparian areas. Genetically and ecologically appropriate native plant materials are needed to combat invasive species and restore native plant habitats on BLM lands, in support of the National Seed Strategy and National Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators, and in support of desert tortoise habitat restoration and recovery.