by Jake Picardat, November 2025

This summer, the Institute for Applied Ecology partnered with the United States National Park Service to host a Seeds of Success crew based in Port Angeles, Washington. Seeds of Success, the national native seed collection program led by the Bureau of Land Management, plays a vital role in conserving native plant species, and more information about the program can be found here.

Our crew of adventurous technicians had the incredible opportunity to visit four iconic national parks—Olympic, North Cascades, Mount Rainier, and Lewis and Clark National Historic Park—to scout and collect seeds from thriving native plant populations. Surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, the crew skillfully balanced the work of seed collection with the chance to experience some of the most stunning scenery imaginable. By the end of the season, they had completed 32 Seeds of Success collections.

In addition to their main duties, the team also took on an extra challenge: capturing lots of photos to share the beauty and diversity of the ecosystems they explored. Join me in marveling at the extraordinary landscapes and remarkable native plant communities our National Park Service Seeds of Success crew had the privilege to work amongst this season.