Southern Ontario Seed Strategy: Healing the Land Together in Partnership with Native Plants  

The Southern Ontario Seed Strategy (SOSS) is a region-wide, collaborative framework designed to rebuild the supply of sustainably and ethically sourced native plant seed across southern Ontario—a critical need for climate resilience and biodiversity recovery. The strategy emerged from the 2021 Near Urban Nature Network report, developed by the Southern Ontario Nature Coalition with support from the Greenbelt Foundation. That report identified the absence of a coordinated native seed system as a major barrier to effective restoration in the region. 

Responding to this recommendation, the Greenbelt Foundation, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Canadian Wildlife Federation, funded Carolinian Canada in 2022 to lead a two‑year process of co-creation with Indigenous leaders, conservationists, agricultural partners, seed producers, and community organizations. In 2024, additional Foundation support launched early implementation through four regional native seed partnerships to strengthen supply within the Greenbelt and surrounding areas. 

The SOSS addresses the region’s chronic shortage of genetically appropriate native seed, an issue that limits the quality and success of restoration projects. Rooted in the principles of reconciliation, the strategy recognizes the cultural, ecological, and relational importance of native plants, and the need to restore both landscapes and relationships disrupted by colonial land-use practices. 

After more than two years of setting intentions, building relationships, sharing knowledge, and collaborating, the SOSS established five goals to be implemented by 2030.  

Goal 1: Expand ethical and safe space within the native plant sector. 
Goal 2: Increase supply and support demand for reliably available, genetically appropriate native seed. 
Goal 3: Develop tools for coordinated, timely, and informed seed conservation and stewardship. 
Goal 4: Advance widespread adoption of native plants across consumer, industry, and policy sectors. 
Goal 5: Identify Two‑Eyed Seeing knowledge needs to inform and support a culturally grounded seed supply chain. 

By developing this shared framework, partners can grow healthy landscapes, a green economy, and resilient communities. Prioritizing locally grown and sourced seed will help rebuild ecological connections among all living beings.