“Ecological restoration is the process of bringing back native biological diversity and ecosystem function to deteriorated landscapes, one aspect of which involves planting seeds of native plants on the degraded site.”

2023 National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine

From 2019-2022, MARSB executive director, Ed Toth, served on a National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine committee to study native seed supply in the U.S. We include the quote above from the final report "An Assessment of Native Seed Needs and the Capacity for Their Supply," to highlight the growing need for bulked, ecoregional, native seed.

As we experience eerie skies cast by wildfires and dismal air quality reports; the haze is a reminder of the important work to be done — that is being done — in the name of ecological restoration. This newsletter shines a light on the MARSB Grower Outreach Program, led by our Grower Outreach Coordinator, Michael Butts.

The continued engineering of a resilient Mid-Atlantic Native Plant Material (NPM) supply chain relies on frontline growers — folks who are literally establishing roots (and seeds) for generations to come.

In this newsletter, learn more about Michael Butts and his support for growers, find information about our new volunteer/intern opportunity, get to know MARSB’s newest board member, Denise Costich, and more.

— Your MARSB Team

Habitat connectivity is critical for the protection of biodiversity within the Mid-Atlantic Region. When critical habitat is fragmented, biodiversity suffers. Studies show that native plant restoration serves as an important tool not only in conservation — but also, in water quality improvement, building climate change resilience, and fostering healthy communities.

Which is why MARSB is thrilled to launch our Mid-Atlantic Regional Online Marketplace (ROMP)!

ROMP is a hub for connecting supply and demand throughout the Mid-Atlantic.

If your business, organization, or agency provides products or services in support of local native plant materials, Or – if you are in the market for local NPM and want your need for native species to be known, then this is the place for you!

Please read on to learn more about ROMP and how this tool can support your important native plant efforts.

— Your MARSB Team

June marks National Pollinator Month. Here at MARSB, one of our guiding principles is the ethical conservation of habitat — and that includes habitat in support of pollinators, invertebrates, and all manner of living organisms.

Did you know that the Mid-Atlantic region is home to almost 500 species of native bees? Studies show that 34% of Mid-Atlantic native bee species and 20% of native butterfly species are at an increased risk of extinction — largely driven by the loss of native plant habitat. The solution, while complex in its totality, is fundamentally simple: increased native forbs = supported native pollinators.

Which is why we are excited to introduce MARSB members to Field Notes. Welcome to our ecoregional, native plant newsletter. Every two weeks, we will drop highlights from MARSB programming, interesting reports from the field, and share engaging partner news. Together, we can protect critical habitat through ecoregional, native plant programs, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.

We hope you will join us, find useful information, and share in the delight of our natural world. Please read on and as always, thanks for being here.

— Your MARSB Team