Wild Ones members and supporters understand that native plants are essential to building resilient ecosystems and restoring biodiversity. Today, we have an urgent opportunity to ensure that the Mid-Atlantic region has the native seed supply we need to support these efforts—and we need your help before Dec 20th!
In October, Wild Ones chapters across the Mid-Atlantic signed a letter in support of funding for the Mid-Atlantic Regional Seed Bank (MARSB), a dedicated organization that has been working to solve native seed supply challenges for over 30 years. Despite their decades of work, MARSB has had to operate with limited funding. But now, thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – Ecological Restoration (BIL-ER), there is a unique opportunity to secure a portion of the undisbursed funds that could help address these critical shortages.
MARSB’s Director, Edward Toth, recently met with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff to request funding for a six-point program aimed at establishing a sustainable native seed supply infrastructure for the Mid-Atlantic region. With over $450 million still left undisbursed from the BIL-ER—most of which has gone to groups west of the Mississippi—it’s long overdue that funds be directed to support restoration initiatives in the eastern U.S. Time is running out to secure these funds, and we need your help to make it happen!
Here’s What You Can Do:
If you live in one of the following Mid-Atlantic states or regions—Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, the District of Columbia, or eastern Ohio—we need you to take action today. We’re asking our members, local community groups, and supporters of native plants who live in the MARSB service area to take action by calling and/or emailing your U.S. senators and representatives. Here’s how:
- Introduce Yourself: Begin by saying who you are and why native plants matter to you – keep it brief and personal (1-2 sentences).
- Make the Ask: Request that your senator/representative contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ask for the release of undisbursed BIL-ER funds to support the Mid-Atlantic Regional Seed Bank (MARSB) six-point program to establish a native seed supply chain to serve the Mid-Atlantic region. [see U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contact information below]
- Make It Local: Share that [your state/district] does not have enough native seeds to meet current and future demand. This project is essential to restore ecosystems affected by floods, fires, and intense storms. Support for regional seed banks like MARSB is an investment in community resilience, making us better prepared for the environmental challenges ahead.
Why This Matters:
Native plants are the foundation of healthy ecosystems—they support pollinators, provide food and shelter for wildlife, and help combat climate change. However, the Mid-Atlantic region is facing a shortage of native seed, which threatens our ability to restore these ecosystems at the scale needed. MARSB’s six-point program aims to address this challenge by creating a sustainable native seed infrastructure that will benefit community health and economic well-being.
By supporting this funding initiative, you are directly contributing to a project that will restore vital ecosystems, improve water quality, reduce erosion, and support biodiversity across the Mid-Atlantic.
How to Find Your Legislators’ Contact Info:
To find the contact information for your U.S. senators and House representatives, visit:
https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member
Contact Information for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:
Martha Williams, Director
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20240
United States
(800) 344-9453
Additional Resources: MARSB Six-Part Program Overview, MARSB Federal Funding Request Memo, Wild Ones Letter of Support for MARSB Funding
Time Is of the Essence—Take Action Now!
This is a time-sensitive opportunity. Congress breaks for the holidays on December 20, 2024, and the administration will change on January 20, 2025. If you live in the Mid-Atlantic region, your voice is especially important. Please take a few minutes today to contact your legislators and ask them to support this crucial initiative.
Thank you for your ongoing dedication to native plants and our shared environment. Your involvement can help ensure a more sustainable future for the Mid-Atlantic’s ecosystems—and the people who depend on them.