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:
FY2023 Annual Report
Fiscal year 2023 saw many changes for the American Public Gardens Association. The return of in-person events, increased staff turnover,...
READ MORE Legacy Cherry Tree Conservation Work at the US National Arboretum
How do we care for aging and venerable trees? This was the central question for the research project of Hans...
READ MORE Public Garden Magazine – Vol 38, Issue 4
FOCAL POINTS KEEP NO SECRETS: PROCESS DOCUMENTATION FOR COLLECTIONS CARE AND LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT FOREST BATHING TO BETTER OUR HEALTH ACORN:...
READ MORE IDEA Cafe: Measuring IDEA
How do organizations know if they are moving the needle forward when it comes to IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, and...
READ MORE