The Understory Initiative

A Comprehensive and Coordinated Strategy Is Needed in the Umpqua Basin to Reduce Barriers to Access for Native Plants, and to Develop Local Markets for Local Nursery Plant and Seed Crop Growers a Diverse Group of Local Stakeholders and Regional Experts Agree That the Development of a Native Plant Partnership Is the Logical First Step Towards Meeting These Needs the Goals of the Newly Developing Umpqua Native Plant Partnership Unpp Align With Those in the National Seed Strategy, as Well as the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Priorities of Species Conservation, Habitat Connectivity and Resilient Ecosystems This Work Will Also Benefit Private Landowners by Providing for the Development of a Native Understory Seed Mix for Oak Savannas, Meadows and Pollinator Habitat Restoration in the Umpqua Basin the Understory Initiative Will Develop and Expand the Umpqua Native Plant Partnership to Improve Access to Locally Sourced Native Plant Materials This Work Directly Supports Goals 1, 3, and 4 of the National Seed Strategy in the 2022 2024 Funding Cycle, the Understory Initiative Umpqua Native Plant Partnership Will 1 Address the Supply Gap by Increasing Availability of Native Seeds and Container Stock to Meet Restoration Needs Across the Three Ecoregions of the Umpqua Basin 2 Develop Unpp Leadership and Five Year Strategic Plan 3 Provide an Avenue for Public Private Collaboration and Communication for Native Plant Materials Development Through Regular Unpp Meetings 4 Develop a Priority Plant Materials Needs Assessment, Focused on Pollinator and Threatened Habitats Such as Oak Savannas and Grasslands 5 Perform Community Outreach to Educate the Public About the Value of Native Plants in Landscaping and Restoration Projects 6 Build Local Capacity and Partnerships to Collect, Grow Out Increase and Distribute Native Seeds 7 Prioritize and Develop a Native Understory Grass Forb Mix to Put Into Production 8 Hold at Least One Planting Event for Oak Pollinator Habitat Restoration Using Plugs Seeds Collected and Produced in the Umpqua Basin