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Growing the Future of Prairie Restoration:

Building a Resilient Native Seed Industry in Western Canada

Renny W. Grilz, PAg

2024 Nuffield Canada Contemporary Scholar

Society for Ecological Restoration

Western Canada Chapter

Webinar

November 5, 2025

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Nuffield Canada Agriculture Scholarship

Purpose

Empowers agricultural leaders to explore innovative practices and global perspectives.
Fosters personal and professional growth through international travel and research.

Benefits

Learning Exchange: Opportunities to gain insights from global agricultural systems.
Innovation in Canada: Scholars bring back valuable knowledge to advance Canadian agriculture.
Leadership Development: Builds skills to lead in Canadian agricultural and environmental sectors.

Nuffield Canada Values

Curiosity: to be willing to continuously learn

Integrity: to exemplify honesty and strong moral principles

Respect: to give due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights and traditions of others

Inclusiveness: to always accept all people without question

Generosity: to give unconditionally

Community: regional, national and international

Commitment: to uphold the values of Nuffield Canada

2024 Nuffield Canada

Contemporary Scholar cohort

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My Nuffield Project

The Questions:

How can Canada expand its native seed industry by building producer networks to address the growing demand for native seeds in global biodiversity restoration efforts?

2. What steps are needed to establish a native plant seedbank tailored for the Prairie region?

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My Nuffield Project

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NATIVE SEED INDUSTRY IN WESTERN CANADA

Fewer than 50 dedicated native seed producers in Western Canada

Mainly small, part-time producers

Primary uses of native seed:

industrial reclamation/restoration, habitat conservation programs
Livestock pastures, urban landscaping

Sector fragmented, undercapitalized, and reliant on imports
Emerging collaboratives:

Native Seed Producers of Canada,
Southern Alberta Native Seed Collaborative,
Manitoba–Saskatchewan Native Seed Collaborative

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Comparison of Canada's Native Seed Industry to United States and Europe

Aspect	Canada	United States	Europe
National Strategy	No national native seed strategy (in development via CWF).	National Native Seed Strategy (2015, updated 2021).	EU Nature Restoration Law (2024); regional/national strategies (e.g., Germany).
Seed Transfer Zones	Applied in forestry only; none for prairie/grassland species.	Provisional seed transfer zones across continental U.S.	Germany: legally mandated Regiosaatgut zones; ENSPA promotes continental approach.
Seed Certification and Standards	Most species sold as common seed; very few pedigreed registrations.	Standards supported by BLM/USDA; quality protocols linked to procurement.	Provenance-based systems mandatory in Germany; quality control via associations (e.g., VWW).
Seedbanks and Genetic Conservation	Regional initiatives (e.g., Meewasin Seedbank planned); limited national capacity.	Seeds of Success; National Plant Germplasm System; USDA-ARS NLGRP in Colorado.	Millennium Seed Bank (UK); national/regional banks across EU.
Producer Networks	Emerging NSPC + regional collaboratives; small, fragmented industry.	Regional networks (Willamette Valley, SWSP, NESN) + commercial companies.	ENSPA (pan-European), VWW (Germany); strong coordination across countries.
Procurement and Market Stability	Few procurement policies; reliance on short-term or project-based contracts.	Federal procurement (BLM, USFS) creates stable demand; wildfire recovery a major driver.	EU/Member State policies embed restoration into law; stable, growing demand.
Role of Policy and Legislation	Commitments under GBF/2030 Nature Strategy but no binding seed policies.	Integrated into federal law & agency practice (BLM, USFS mandates).	Binding EU & national legislation; biodiversity/net gain policies create direct markets.
Industry Scale and Capacity	Fewer than 50 producers in Western Canada; mostly small-scale, part-time.	Large-scale, diverse producers; both commercial & non-profit; mature market.	Well-developed in Western Europe; Germany & UK highly advanced; scaling in Eastern Europe.

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KEY PILLARS OF BUILDING A RESILIENT NATIVE SEED INDUSTRY

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From Insight to Action: A Framework for Western Canada's Native Seed Industry

Focus Area	Key Insights	Recommendations
Producer Support & Infrastructure	Canada’s seed supply is fragmented; producers lack foundation seed, training, and stable markets.	• Establish regional producer hubs with shared seed cleaning, testing, and storage facilities • Create a Canadian Foundation Seed Program • Offer long-term procurement contracts (5–10 years) • Develop national producer training programs
Seedbanks for Conservation & Supply	Canada lacks a prairie-focused seedbank; genetic diversity is underrepresented.	• Establish the Meewasin Seedbank as a prairie pilot • Align national protocols with GBF standards • Integrate Indigenous-led collections • Link seedbanks to foundation seed production
Policy & Procurement Frameworks	No national standards: inconsistent demand weakens market stability.	• Develop a National Native Seed Strategy • Establish federal-provincial seed zones and certification standards • Require Canadian-grown seed in public projects • Create tax incentives/stewardship credits for landholders

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From Insight to Action: A Framework for Western Canada's Native Seed Industry

Focus Area	Key Insights	Recommendations
Emerging Markets	Native plants have applications beyond restoration: pollinator habitat, regenerative agriculture, urban greening, Indigenous food/medicine, and green infrastructure.	• Partner with municipalities for native landscaping standards • Expand pollinator habitat programs in agriculture • Support Indigenous-led market development • Develop branding and certification for native horticulture
Collaboration & National Coordination	Networks exist but lack sustained funding and governance.	• Establish a Canadian Native Seed Council • Develop producer registry and capacity database • Host annual national conferences and technical exchanges • Secure funding for producer network coordination

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FIVE PRIORITIES FOR ADVANCING WESTERN CANADA'S NATIVE SEED INDUSTRY

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The Idea of a Seedbank

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Native Plant Seedbank Needs Assessment

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS:

Develop a Strategic Plan and an Associated Cost Estimate

Implement training and international seed bank standards program.

Build a network of relationships for partnership opportunities

Project was made possible through the generous financial contributions of the

Weston Family Foundation

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Native Plant Seedbank Strategic Plan

Project was made possible through the

generous financial contributions of

the Weston Family Foundation

The vision for the Native Plant Seed Bank is the long-term restoration, preservation, and protection of Prairie grassland biodiversity for future generations, and in doing so, sparking an interest and love for native plants and our grasslands.

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Native Plant Seedbank Strategic Plan

Phases of the Seedbank Project:

Phase 1: Establish the Seedbank (Spark)

Phase 2: Expand the Seedbank (Expand)

Phase 3: Maintain the Seedbank (Shepherd)

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Nuffield Canada Scholarship Sponsors

My Nuffield Canada Agriculture Scholarship is generously sponsored by the

Nature Conservancy of Canada with additional financial support from:

Skinner Native Seeds

Ann Coxworth

Environmental Fund

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Thank You

Renny W. Grilz, PAg

2024 Nuffield Canada Contemporary Scholar

Manager of Conservation

LinkedIn: rennygrilz

Instagram: renny_grilz

Cell: (306)262-4970

Email: renny.grilz@gmail.com

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