State Seed Mixes, Their Evolving Role In Addressing Ecological Challenges

Presenter: Dan Shaw, Senior Ecologist/Vegetation Specialist, Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources

The Zoom presentation is available on the Videos page.

Talk Summary: State seed mixes have evolved over the last 20 years to meet statewide needs for restoration and conservation programs. With our increasing environmental challenges these mixes are taking on greater significance and new seed mixes are in development to address emerging conservation challenges. This presentation will cover the history, and current activity with state seed mixes, along with a summary of how seed mix design has been evolving to further support wildlife species and increase the climate resiliency of plantings. Information will also be provided about opportunities to provide input about state seed mixes and fact sheets that are in development to guide their installation and management.

Presenter Bio:  Dan Shaw is the Senior Ecologist and Vegetation Specialist with the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR).  His work focuses on plant community restoration, climate mitigation and adaptation, pollinator habitat and invasive species control. He has also taught ecological design and restoration classes at the University of Minnesota for the past 21 years and authored or co-authored and illustrated several publications on ecological restoration and stormwater projects.