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:
Benchmarking Results 2023 Collective Impact Questions
To help tell the story of the collective impact of our nearly 600 member gardens, we are launching the inaugural...
READ MORE Tips and Tricks for Keeping Your Staff and Volunteers Engaged
Watch our webinar to learn from public garden professionals on how to engage and inform your staff and volunteers! Presenters...
READ MORE IDEA Cafe: Centering Indigenous Voices
Welcome to part 2 of our Indigenous Inclusion series! In January’s session, we hosted presentations from various gardens/arboreta across the...
READ MORE Say What? Multilingual Best Practices at Public Gardens
APGA’s core values include Cultivate Passion, Elevate Our Voice, and Collaborate Authentically. What better way to embody these values than by communicating...
READ MORE