**Pattern Name** Native Tree Seeds Initiative
**Introduction** While we often advocate for tree planting, there's a lack of awareness about the importance of choosing the right trees for our ecosystems and communities.
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**CONTEXT** We often hear the phrase "plant a tree," acknowledging trees as fundamental to our future. The benefits of forests in ecosystems, biodiversity, human well-being, animal habitats, livelihoods, and indigenous communities are widely recognised. However, amidst this advocacy, a crucial question arises: do we truly understand the significance of choosing the right tree to plant? Is there sufficient educational material available to inform our decisions?
**PROBLEM** Contrary to the notion that any tree will suffice, it's essential to recognise the importance of selecting native species suited to the local environment. Merely being green and flowering does not automatically qualify a plant as a tree. Understanding the different species of native trees and their roles in the holistic ecosystem of our bioregion is crucial. Planting the wrong tree species can potentially harm rather than contribute to the present ecosystem.
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**THEREFORE (SOLUTION)** By engaging with seed festivals and leveraging local expertise, the initiative seeks to foster a greater appreciation for native trees and their contributions to ecosystems and communities.
**Actions** Moving forward, here are the steps we envision: - Establish Tree Diversity Stalls: At every seed event throughout India, we propose setting up Tree Diversity Stalls. These stalls will serve as educational hubs, focusing on native species of each region. We aim to collaborate with local native sapling producers to represent their work and promote native saplings exclusively. - Promote Native Saplings: Our focus will be solely on promoting and educating about native saplings. By highlighting the benefits of native species, we hope to encourage their widespread adoption. - Form a Tree Seed Savers Network: Similar to how seed savers have supported us in sharing seeds, we aim to create a community of tree seed savers. This network will facilitate the exchange and conservation of native tree seeds, contributing to biodiversity conservation efforts. - Categorize by Bioregions & Data Collection Study: We plan to categorize native tree species by bioregions across India. This categorization will include information on timber, wild edibles, fodders, medicinal properties, and water-saving capabilities, enhancing our understanding of each species' ecological significance. - Include Wild Grasses and Shrubs: In the coming years, we aspire to broaden our scope to include not only native trees but also wild grasses, shrubs, and uncultivated greens. These additions will further contribute to food security, livelihood creation, and provide alternatives to daily needs. - Promote Financial Support: Educating more people about the importance of native flora will not only lead to increased environmental awareness but also attract financial support to these areas. We anticipate that with greater public involvement, forests, trees, and biodiversity will become as common a subject as agriculture in rural areas.
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Pattern stewarded by Niranjan Pradhani of Keeday Makauday Foundation 
**CONNECTED PATTERNS** **Supports** Seed Festival **Supported by**