by Becky McGraw-Wall, PWL Member
The Piney Wood Lakes chapter of TMN has a new project in the works, thanks to a grant by HEB and the efforts of project coordinator Julie Kuylen. The SeedNSee-Lone Star Seed Library will soon be available to local library patrons inside the Livingston Municipal Library. Seed libraries are growing in popularity across the country along with the movement to grow more native plants for pollinators and with the movement to cultivate more resilient non-hybridized, open-pollinated vegetables. The use of commercially produced seeds has led to a loss of genetic diversity in plants, especially in food crops. Seed libraries enhance biodiversity by preserving and sharing seeds adapted to our local ecosystems.
A seed library works just like it sounds- a library patron can “check out” free seeds to plant in a garden, then hopefully return seeds to the library after the plants have grown and new seeds have been harvested to keep the project self-sustaining. The mission of the SeedNSee Library is focused on both conservation and education. Participants can learn about the role of native plants in supporting our local ecosystem by seeding native pollinator-friendly plants and seeing how these gardens enhance biodiversity.
The seed library will offer free packets of native wildflowers, herbs and vegetables suited to our East Texas environment, which participants can plant in home, school or community gardens. Each packet will include planting and growing instructions, instructions for seed harvesting, and educational material about the species’ role in supporting pollinators and healthy ecosystems. Participants will be encouraged to record and share their observations about germination times, plant growth and pollinator visits, to pass on to subsequent growers and enhance our understanding of local ecology. The organizers of the seed library program anticipate sponsoring educational events at the library to help teach the community about seed harvesting, native plants adapted to East Texas, the importance of host plants for caterpillars, the impact of native flowers for pollinators, and related conservation topics. The grand reveal for the SeedNSee Library is expected to be in November 2025.