The Wild Seed Initiative is more than just a restoration project; it's a hands-on opportunity to give back to nature and strengthen our connection to the land. Native plants are the lifeline of Park County, providing generations with food, medicine, shelter, and a deep connection to place. By planting wild native seeds, we have the opportunity to reconnect with a traditional understanding of living with the land.
Through the Wild Seed Initiative, we aim to:
Restore native plant communities: Plant native plants and seeds to revitalize our ecosystems and support living soil, native pollinators, beneficial insects, and wildlife.
Educate and empower: Share knowledge about native plants and their importance to foster a sense of stewardship and connection to the land.
Honor traditional ecological knowledge: Explore the traditional relationships between indigenous peoples and plants while amplifying tribal voices.
To learn more about food plants and ethnobotany in Montana, visit the Salish Plant Society and explore other plant uses with the Native American Ethnobotany Database.
Why are native plants at risk?
Montana currently has more than 100 plant species categorized as "Species of Concern" due to habitat loss & various threats like:
invasive species — learn more about Noxious Weed Monitoring.
conversion of grasslands
changes in climate & extreme weather events
urban sprawl & land fragmentation
harmful resource management
These factors have resulted in a notable decrease of Montana's native plant species. This only emphasizes the need to safeguard and revive these wild spaces.
What should we plant?
Choosing the right plants for your wild habitat project can feel like a daunting task— focusing on creating habitat for beneficial insects and native pollinators, is a great place to start. The Xerces Society has compiled a list of the top 50 native plant species known to attract pollinators and beneficial insects. This resource can help you make informed decisions and create a thriving habitat that supports a diversity of life. Download or print resource here.
Montana Pollinators need native plants
Livingston Loves Bees is a new community collaboration between the City of Livingston, local bee experts, and PCEC. This initiative aims to protect and enhance native habitat for Montana's native bees.
Image designed by Clay Bolt
Plant native wildflowers
Mow less
Decrease pesticide use
Stop the spread of invasive species
The Western Bumble Bee is on the brink of being listed as an Endangered Species, and Park County is fortunate to have a population. We can play a vital role in protecting this species and countless others by preserving their natural habitats.
To learn more about the urgency of this issue, watch this video clip from PCEC's USA Bee City Community Conversation with Clay Bolt, World Wildlife Foundation Manager of Pollinator Conservation and a local resident of Livingston.
BECOME A COMMUNITY SCIENTIST— HELP US PLANT NATIVE SEEDS & MONITOR THEIR SUCCESS
The Wild Seed Initiative is actively testing seed planting efficacy around the county. We will educate on and provide native plant seeds for community science participants and service groups who are interesting in helping. Seeds will be purchased as locally as possible or collected from wild plants in the area. Participants can pick up seeds at PCEC hosted events and service groups can request seeds for community led weed removal or re-seeding projects for public trail maintenance.
READY TO GET STARTED? Follow the steps below.
Get your seeds from the Wild Seed Initiative and sign up to be a community scientist.
Click to view WSI Instruction Guide PDF. Pick up seed packets at PCEC events, farmers markets, native plant sale, or come by our office at the Lincoln School, Room 306.
Download the CitSci App. on your Apple or Android phone and search for “The Wild Seed Initiative” to begin your observations.
To learn to ID your seedlings and flowers *Locate the WSI Plant Identification Guide or use the Picture this App for Apple or Android devices.
