The Utah Pollinator Habitat Program (UPHP) was established following passage of the 2021 Pollinator Bill by the Utah State Legislature to increase the availability of regionally appropriate native pollinator habitat and expand public education on the use of native plants in urban and working landscapes. The program was designed as a collaborative effort to provide technical assistance and plant materials to landowners interested in enhancing pollinator-friendly habitat on their properties. Since its pilot year in 2021, UPHP has grown substantially in scope, scale, and geographic reach. Initial efforts to acquire native seed and plant materials expanded from in situ seed collections conducted by the Utah Rare Plant Program crew and a small number of local nurseries to include a partnership with the Horticultural Program at the Utah Correctional Facility, enabling production of thousands of native plants annually. Habitat kit distribution, which initially focused on northern Utah, now serves landowners statewide, with plant materials tailored to the Colorado Plateau, Central Basin, and Mojave Basin ecoregions. Local NRCS and UDAF Conservation District offices have promoted the program and assisted landowners with habitat assessments, further strengthening regional participation. UPHP's expansion has generated measurable conservation benefits and strong public engagement. An active community of native plant gardeners has formed around the program, and many awardees report high levels of pollinator visitation to their plantings. Community science data collected through the Species Protection Account--funded Utah Pollinator Pursuit project show increasing observations of pollinator Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and Species of Greatest Information Need (SGIN) in urban and residential areas. These outcomes directly advance priorities identified in the 2025 Utah Wildlife Action Plan (UWAP), including increasing habitat for at-risk species, expanding public participation in conservation, and pursuing cost-effective solutions amid continued population growth. In recognition of UPHP's success, the Utah Legislature approved permanent funding in 2025 to support a full-time program coordinator. However, native seed availability remains a major operational constraint. Many desirable native species are not commercially available or are prohibitively expensive, requiring seed to be collected in situ or grown out through limited production channels. As demand for UPHP-awarded habitat kits and native plant materials continues to grow, reliance on traditional seed acquisition methods alone limits scalability and long-term program sustainability. At the same time, strong grassroots interest in native seed collection and sharing has emerged across Utah. Local seed libraries and exchange initiatives--such as those operated by the Salt Lake County Library system, Tracy Aviary's Pia Okwai Nature Center, Conservation Garden Park, the Utah Native Plant Society, and several universities--have grown in response to heightened public interest, much of it catalyzed by UPHP's success. Many UPHP awardees have also expressed interest in donating seed from their established plantings to support future habitat projects. These efforts represent a significant but currently uncoordinated opportunity. Without standardized training, guidance, and inventory tracking, community-based seed collection efforts cannot reliably support statewide habitat programs or ensure ethical, ecologically appropriate seed collection. There is a clear need to formalize this growing interest into a structured, statewide network that complements existing production systems, reduces costs, and maintains conservation integrity. Education is central to meeting this need. Community members require accessible, consistent guidance on native plant identification, ethical seed collection, cleaning, storage, and stewardship. Developing standardized training materials would ensure participants are qualified to contribute seed while deepening public understanding of native plant conservation. A modular "Seed Saver Series" of short educational videos would provide a scalable training platform to certify seed collectors and seed library stewards statewide. Furthermore, focusing seed collection guidance on priority native plant species will increase the availability of local ecotypes and enable targeted expansion of pollinator-supporting habitat. This project proposes a pilot expansion of the Utah Pollinator Habitat Program by formalizing a statewide network of native seed stewards and exchanges. The project will establish training and guidance for ethical seed collection, develop a system to track seed inventory and distribution, and connect existing local seed initiatives into a coordinated framework. Educational materials developed by the Utah Desert Botanical Conservancy will deliver a five-part Seed Saver Series to certify participants and serve as a foundation for future native plant education. By leveraging strong public interest, existing local seed efforts, and the outreach and data-gathering capacity of the Rare Insect Conservation Program (RICP), this project will increase the availability of regionally appropriate native seed, reduce long-term program costs, and strengthen the sustainability of UPHP. Integrating the successful tools and audiences of Utah Pollinator Pursuit and the Utah Pollinator Habitat Program will further expand public participation, reinforce conservation outcomes, and directly advance UWAP priorities. Strategic investment at this stage will ensure that UPHP's demonstrated success can continue to scale efficiently while maintaining ecological integrity and long-term conservation impact.

The overarching objective of this project is to pilot an expansion of the Utah Pollinator Habitat Program (UPHP) by formalizing a coordinated, community-based native seed stewardship and exchange network. By educating community members to participate in ethical seed collection, prioritizing ecologically valuable native plant species, and establishing systems to track seed inventory and distribution, the project seeks to increase the availability of regionally appropriate native seed across Utah in a manner that is scalable, cost-effective, and aligned with conservation priorities. Objective 1 - Establish a Statewide Network of Native Seed Stewards and Exchanges: This project will establish a coordinated, statewide framework that connects local seed libraries, seed exchange initiatives, and community seed collectors in direct support of UPHP. Existing native seed initiatives across Utah will be identified, and interest in participation will be assessed to understand current capacity and geographic coverage. Using UPHP's regional structure, the project will facilitate collaboration among partners and community participants to create a scalable model for statewide connectivity. A Survey123-based tracking system will be developed to register seed stewards and seed collectors, document participation by region, and support coordination with UPHP's existing inventory and distribution systems. This network will provide the organizational foundation needed to integrate community-based seed collection into UPHP's supply chain. Objective 2 - Identify Priority Native Plant Species for Seed Collection: To ensure ecological relevance and program efficiency, the project will focus seed collection efforts on priority native plant species that provide the greatest benefit to pollinators and habitat restoration goals. In addition to selecting the most ecologically-valuable native flora, candidate species will be evaluated based on regional suitability, germination success, commercial availability, and market cost. Region-specific priority lists of native pollinator plants will be developed to guide seed stewardship efforts and align community collection with UPHP planting needs. This approach ensures that seed collection contributes meaningfully to expanding pollinator-supporting habitat while avoiding sensitive or imperiled plant taxa. Objective 3 - Develop the UPHP Native Seed Steward Training Series: The project will develop standardized educational materials to support ethical, effective community-based seed collection. A five-part UPHP Native Seed Steward Training Series will be produced, consisting of approximately 20-minute modules covering native plant identification, appropriate timing and methods for seed collection, ethical harvest practices, seed cleaning, storage, and redistribution. Supplemental educational materials will be developed to support seed stewards and partner organizations, and all training content will be made accessible online to facilitate statewide participation. Completion of the training series will serve as the foundation for seed steward certification, ensuring consistency, quality, and conservation integrity across the network. Objective 4 - Implement Seed Collection, Processing, Storage, and Distribution: This project will establish an operational workflow that integrates community-collected seed into UPHP's existing seed supply chain. Seed collection will be coordinated from in situ sources, established pollinator habitat sites, public and private lands (as requested by partner programs), and certified UPHP Native Seed Stewards. Collected seed will be processed through existing partnerships, including the Utah Correctional Facility horticultural program, Master Gardener groups, and Utah Native Plant Society chapters. Cleaned seed will be stored at the UDAF seed laboratory and the Utah Correctional Facility, following established UPHP storage protocols. Seed will then be distributed through UPHP habitat kits and partner seed exchange programs, ensuring that community contributions directly support habitat implementation efforts statewide.

The 2025 Utah State Legislative session approved permanent funding for a program manager for the Utah Pollinator Habitat Program, marking a milestone for the pilot effort initiated in 2021, and creating an opportunity for community-based expansion of the program that enhances the availability of wildlife habitat in urban areas and quality of life and health for residents that aligns with 2025 UWAP recommendations.

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Any seed collection occurring on privately-owned lands will be coordinated by the landowner or with landowner's expressed permission. Collections of native seed materials on public lands will be conducted with permission where required (specifically per National Forests that require collections permits) and disclosure to regional BLM and USFS offices for where permits are not required.

Program Coordination and Integration with UPHP: Project activities will be closely coordinated with the Utah Pollinator Habitat Program (UPHP) to ensure alignment with existing timelines, award cycles, habitat kit distribution schedules, and regional planting priorities. Seed stewardship activities will be fully integrated into established UPHP application, outreach, and communication workflows to maintain consistency in messaging, eligibility criteria, and participant engagement. The project will operate within UPHP's existing regional framework (Colorado Plateau, Central Basin, and Mojave Basin) to guide seed steward recruitment, species prioritization, and distribution logistics. A dedicated webpage within the UPHP website will serve as a centralized landing page for partner recruitment, host the Seed Saver Series training modules, and support outreach to prospective community seed exchange steward locations. Project staff will actively connect and consult with local, state, federal, academic, nonprofit, and private partners engaged in native seed collection, cleaning, grow-out, storage, and distribution to develop a coordinated, statewide approach that complements and strengthens existing efforts. Where appropriate, partners with expertise in pollination ecology, habitat restoration, and insect taxonomy will be consulted to inform regional priorities and species benefits. Leveraging Existing UPHP Outreach and Engagement Infrastructure: The project will utilize UPHP's established outreach channels--including newsletters, social media platforms, partner networks, and Conservation District communications--to recruit seed stewards and promote training opportunities. Current and past UPHP habitat kit recipients will be prioritized for participation, building on their demonstrated interest, existing plantings, and geographic distribution. Coordination with NRCS, UDAF, Conservation District offices, and other program partners will support identification of landowners, restoration sites, and community groups interested in seed collection, grow-out, and exchange. Scientific Guidance and Priority Species Selection: The Rare Insect Conservation Program (RICP) and Rare and Native Plant Program (RNPP) will provide ecological and conservation expertise to develop region-specific priority native plant species lists. Species selection will be informed by documented pollinator associations, habitat value, conservation status, and known use by Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and Species of Greatest Information Need (SGIN). Utah Pollinator Pursuit community science data will be used to identify plant--pollinator relationships and habitat gaps that seed stewardship efforts can help address. All seed collection guidance will align with Utah Wildlife Action Plan priorities, avoid sensitive or imperiled plant taxa, and support the expansion of pollinator habitat using appropriate local ecotypes. Development of Standardized Training and Educational Materials: The Utah Desert Botanical Conservancy (UDBC) will lead development of the UPHP Native Seed Saver Series, applying botanical expertise, conservation education best practices, and professional media production. The five-part modular training series will cover native plant identification, ethical seed collection, appropriate timing and techniques, seed cleaning and storage, and stewardship responsibilities. Training materials will function both as a certification pathway for seed stewards and as durable educational resources that can be reused and expanded by UPHP and partner organizations. Native Seed Steward Certification and Tracking: A standardized certification process will be implemented for seed collectors and seed library stewards upon completion of the Seed Saver Series. A Survey123-based tracking system will register native seed stewards and exchange partners, document regional participation, record priority species collected, and link contributions to UPHP inventory needs. Seed stewardship records will be integrated with existing UPHP tracking systems to support transparency, accountability, and long-term program planning. Seed Collection and Processing Integrated with UPHP Supply Chain: Seed collection will be coordinated among certified seed stewards, UPHP habitat sites, and partner-managed lands, ensuring compliance with ethical collection guidelines and landowner permissions. Community-collected seed will be incorporated into UPHP's established processing workflows, including cleaning and preparation through the Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) Greenhouse Program, Master Gardener groups, and Utah Native Plant Society chapters. Quality control standards informed by project leads and botanist expertise will be applied to ensure seed viability, accurate labeling, and traceability by species and region. Storage, Inventory Management, and Distribution: Cleaned and processed seed will be stored at the UDC Greenhouse and the UDAF seed laboratory following existing or updated UPHP storage protocols. Seed quantities, species, and regional provenance will be tracked in a centralized inventory system linked to UPHP distribution planning. Seed distribution will occur through UPHP habitat kits and coordinated seed exchange programs, prioritizing regions and projects identified by the UPHP manager and program partners as having the greatest habitat need. Feedback, Evaluation, and Adaptive Management: Feedback from Seed Saver participants and habitat kit recipients will be gathered through UPHP, UDC Greenhouse, and Utah Pollinator Pursuit networks to assess seed performance, germination success, and pollinator use. Project staff will consult with DWR's Great Basin Research Center, BLM's Seeds of Success program, and Forestry, Fire and State Lands restoration program leads to review best practices, priority species, cost effectiveness, and implementation challenges. Outcomes will be reviewed collaboratively with the UPHP coordinator and the Native and Rare Plant Program coordinator to refine species priorities, training materials, and operational workflows. Lessons learned will be documented to inform future expansion of community-based seed stewardship within UPHP and other habitat programs statewide. Promotion of Program Expansion to Boost Community Awareness and Participation: Partners with public outreach expertise will promote opportunities for organizations to serve as Seed Steward locations, provide guidance for landowners interested in native seed grow-out and collection, and support plant identification workshops to build botany and native plant husbandry skills. UPHP branding will be developed to support consistent marketing and recognition, and local enthusiast groups -- including Conservation Districts, Master Naturalist, and Master Gardener chapters -- will host presentations and workshops by UPHP representatives to expand community awareness and participation.

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Partners include the Utah State University, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Utah Department of Transportation, Utah Department of Corrections Horticultural Program, Tracy Aviary, Utah Native Plant Society, Salt Lake City Public Lands, Salt Lake County Public Library, Natural History Museum of Utah, Swaner Preserve, Hogle Zoo, Conservation Garden Park, Utah Desert Botanical Conservancy, Moab Youth Garden Project, Wasatch Community Gardens, PBS Utah's Modern Gardener, Ogden Botanical Gardens, Red Butte Garden and Arboretum, Southern Utah University, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Salt Lake City Master Gardeners, Ogden Master Gardeners, and the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

As this framework for community native seed redistribution is developed, future phases of this project will continue to identify priority species, and establish guidance for seed collection and distribution. Land owners and managers will have an improved understanding of priority locations for habitat enhancement and creation, as well as the necessary components of healthy pollinator habitat. Additionally, the expansion of these efforts to benefit more at-risk insect pollinator species will include the goal of diversifying funding sources to reduce funding requests from the State of Utah in the future.

Seed collection by Utah Rare Plant Program crew, botanists with UNPS and UDBC, will follow established guidance that minimizes impact to local plant populations.