“Every school needs a nature trail; and every person-adult or young-needs a bit of wilderness, if wonder, reverence and awe are to be cultivated.”
Justice William O. Douglas
It is with this notion in mind that the 1996 Wild Ones Board of Directors created the Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Fund.
The Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Program (SFE) is named for Wild Ones lifetime Honorary Director Lorrie Otto, the founding inspiration for Wild Ones, Native Plants, Natural Landscapes, Ltd. Lorrie’s life work with students, young and old, was to cultivate wonder, reverence and awe for Nature and all Her creatures. Today, the SFE program provides meaningful learning opportunities that connect youth to nature and the Wild Ones mission. For more than 25 years, this vital Wild Ones donor-funded program has provided grants ranging from $100 to $500 for native plant gardens and landscaping projects throughout the United States. The funds are designated for acquiring native plants and seeds for outdoor learning areas that engage youth (preschool to high school) directly in planning, planting and caring for native plant gardens. Examples include
- pollinator gardens,
- rain gardens to improve water quality,
- tallgrass prairies,
- native plant monarch waystations featuring community science activities,
- and sensory and natural playgrounds.
Grant applications will be assessed by a committee of Wild Ones staff, members, and board. If you are interested in serving on this committee, please indicate your interest on our volunteer form.
Do you know of a local school, nature center, after-school care program, community center or youth group in need of funding for a native garden or habitat? If so, please invite them to apply for an SFE grant. All public and private schools, non-profits such as nature centers, youth organizations and community youth centers in the US are welcome to apply so long as the project uses native plants or seeds to educate youth. Please note SFE grants do not fund vegetable gardens.
See the announcement of 2024 awardees.
This important program is only possible due to the active support of Wild Ones members.
Apply
Applications for the 2025 planting season must be submitted online during the application period, which is from July 14th – November 15th, 2024. Awards will be communicated to recipients by February 15th, 2025.
Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Project Relevance
- Alignment with Wild Ones Mission: How well does the project promote native plants and natural landscapes?
Youth Engagement and Educational Value
- Youth Involvement: How meaningfully are youth involved in research, plant selection, and project design?
- Educational Benefits: How will the project be used for youth learning (e.g., public tours, STEM activities)?
Planning, Sustainability and Maintenance
- Project Planning: Does the garden description and its objectives demonstrate thorough and effective planning?
- Maintenance Plan: Is there a solid plan for ongoing garden maintenance and sustainability?
- Designated Personnel: Does the proposal demonstrate that the project coordinator and designated staff are skilled and knowledgeable about building and maintaining native plant gardens? Does this project collaborate with a local Wild Ones Chapter?
Native Garden and Plant Selection
- Plant Community: Does the plant list ensure an aesthetic, sustainable garden? Do the plants fit with the ecoregion and project objectives? Applications are disqualified for including invasive species, non-native plants, and non-native food plants in the project budget.
Community Impact and Need
- Community Importance: Why is this project important to the organization and community?
- Need: How well does the application demonstrate the population’s need for this project?
These criteria ensure that funded projects are impactful, sustainable, and aligned with Wild Ones’ mission. The most important factor is the long-term educational value of each project.
Grant Reports
Grant reports for the 2024 planting season are due by February 28th, 2025. The Seeds for Education Report Form is currently open. Projects funded for the 2025 planting season will need to submit a report by February 28th, 2026 (the year following award disbursement). If you haven’t submitted your report from the 2023 cycle or earlier, please email [email protected].
Local Chapter Support
When there is a local Wild Ones chapter nearby, members are tremendously helpful as garden advisors encouraging project success through recommendations for appropriate native species, planning and planting. Members may also share time or resources.
Questions
If you have questions about this program, you can reach out to us at [email protected].
