Ontario’s Natural Selections is a voluntary certification program for woody species. Seed and plants sold under this label are certified by the Forest Gene Conservation Association (FGCA) to be from the source identified on the label. The consumer can then decide how appropriate it is for their planting project. We hope this program will help plantings in Ontario survive and thrive. This program will add resilience in the face of climate change and restore the many benefits we expect from our forests, both rural and urban. It is a 3-part program. The FGCA will:
- Educate consumers about successful planting practices, of which source-identified seed is a start.
- Encourage seed collectors and growers to supply and market high-quality source-identified seed and stock, and;
- Administer the program with a system of documentation, registration, inspection and auditing.
Why?
High-quality seed and source documentation (where the seed came from) starts with the collector. Buyers are looking for high-quality seed from collectors trained to a standard set of best practices. Anyone can become certified if they take the time to learn about species characteristics, key aspects of seed quality, and proper collection, handling and documentation of seedlots.
Certified Seed Collector Course
The full Certified Seed Collector (CSC) course introduces participants to seed collection practices and theory. This training focuses on native woody plant seed collection, but basic principles and best practices can be applied more broadly.
Courses are run on a cost recovery basis and at this time we can not provide courses at a discounted rate. For reduced cost options discuss with us alternative training options.
In this course we cover:
- What it takes to be a seed collector.
- Basic tree and seed identification.
- Afforestation, reforestation, and the seed industry.
- Flower and seed biology.
- Genetic diversity and adaptive variation within species.
- Best practices for collecting high-quality seed.
- Physiological seed quality testing methods (cut tests, maturity indicators, insect and disease assessments).
- Collection methods and source documentation.
- Best practices for handling seed to ensure seed remains high quality from collection, to processing, up to storage and use.
- Tools and strategies to communicate with and create a relationship with buyers.
- And more!
Seed Manuals
FGCA is pleased to offer the Seeds of Ontario Trees & Shrubs: Field Manual for Crop Forecasting and Collecting (2014) and the updated Seeds of Ontario & Eastern Canada: A Manual for Tree and Shrub Forecasting and collection (2nd ed., 2024) as part of the CSC course or as a standalone reference. These full-colour manuals are the result of more than 30 years of input from experienced seed collectors across Ontario.
The manuals are a comprehensive introduction for new seed collectors and field-worthy companions for experienced collectors. The information is based on the practical experiences of current and retiring collectors, with the goal of mentoring a new generation of collectors on how to forecast and collect high quality seed.
Over 100 of Eastern Canada’s native tree, shrub and vine species have been included. The manual contains information on afforestation and reforestation, seed demand, flower and seed biology, and seed quality assessments. It includes guidelines for forecasting, collecting, documentation, field storage and shipping. The species section dives into each species specific flowering, forecasting and collection schedule, and collection and handling best practices.
Other Seed Collector Resources
In addition to the guidelines outlined in the Ontario’s Natural Selections manual and FGCA’s Seed Manuals check out:
- Ontario Natural Selections Woody Plant Seed Collection Guidelines for a Changing Climate
- FGCA’s Climate change programs
- FGCA’s Know What’s Native in Your Ecodistrict
- Reforestation, Nurseries, & Genetic Resources
- Ontario’s Tree Seed Transfer Policy tool
- Native Lands Map
Books
- Growing Trees from Seed (Kock et. al 2008)
- The Woody Plant Seed Manual (Bonner and Karrfalt 2008)
Other Seed Standards
- International Seed Testing Association (ISTA)
- Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA)
- Native Plant Grower’s guidelines
- International principles and standards for native seeds in ecological restoration – Society for Ecological Restoration – Society for Ecological Restoration
- B.C. Tree Seed Working Group
- OECD Scheme for the Certification of Forest Reproductive Material