Selecting the geographic origin—the provenance—of seed is a key decision in restoration. The last decade has seen a vigorous debate on whether to use local or nonlocal seed. The use of local seed has been the preferred approach because it is expected to maintain local adaptation and avoid deleterious population effects (e.g., maladaptation and outbreeding depression). However, the impacts of habitat fragmentation and climate change on plant populations have driven the debate on whether the local-is-best standard needs changing. This debate has largely been theoretical in nature, which hampers provenance decision-making. Here, this arttcile details cross-sector priority actions to improve provenance decision-making, including embedding provenance trials into restoration projects; developing dynamic, evidence-based provenance policies; and establishing stronger research–practitioner collaborations to facilitate the adoption of research outcomes.
Priority Actions to Improve Provenance Decision-Making

MORE RESOURCES:
Public Garden Magazine Index 2024
Public Garden Index—Volumes 1–39 (1986—2024) PG Cumulative Index—volumes 1–39 (1986—2024) 1 Note: All page numbers refer to the printed magazine....
READ MORE
Disaster Readiness Virtual Workshop (March 2025)
This recording captures Session One of the virtual workshop which took place on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. Please note that...
READ MORE
Slicing and Dicing Your Data
Presented by the Development & Membership Community Watch this webinar to learn about how two organizations use their data to...
READ MORE
Supporting Partners Across the Southeast Region to Create National Impact for Plant Conservation
Presented by the Native Plants and Plant Conservation Communities Based at Atlanta Botanical Garden, the 'Southeastern Partners in Plant Conservation'...
READ MORE