BLM (Arizona), BLM AZ Seeds of Success Collections (ASO)

Description of Program and/or Project a. Background: The Bureau of Land Management and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew���s Millennium Seed Bank originally participated in the Seeds of Success (SOS) program under terms of a cooperative agreement signed by both parties in 2000. Procedures for SOS are part of BLM���s national Native Plant Materials Development Program. The purpose of SOS program in the United States is to establish a national, high quality, accurately identified and well documented native plant species seed collection. The national collection acts as a basis for off-site conservation and, where and when appropriate, can be used for study and multiplication in the native materials development program. b. Objectives: Seeds of Success are part of the National Native Plant Materials Development Program. Seeds collected will represent a genetic variation within the sampled population. The goal of the project is to provide wild native seed to researchers for common garden studies and native plant materials development projects for restoration and rehabilitation to ensure economical supply of native plant materials. The objectives are to follow the Seeds of Success Collections protocol, have completed the Seeds of Success comprehensive training, collect priority species, perform sampling strategy, perform seed collection techniques, provide voucher specimens, and complete field documentation. The BLM seeks the opportunity to work with local communities, businesses, organizations, and local, state, and federal agencies that live, work and benefit in Arizona State for the purpose of: 1. To conserve natural resources 2. To conserve native species diversity and richness 3. To improve wildlife habitat 4. To increase landscape resiliency 5. To decrease high wildfire severity events 6. To connect with local communities to the environment through partnerships, education, outreach, support, and restoration activities.