Seed ‘library’ sows resilience in Norfolk yards and marshes – Bay Journal

Report on the Elizabeth River Project’s Native Plant and Wetland Restoration Initiative

Introduction: Aligning Local Action with Global Sustainability Goals

The Elizabeth River Project (ERP) has launched a multi-faceted initiative in Norfolk, VA, centered on a community native seed library and a research partnership with Old Dominion University (ODU). This project directly addresses several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The initiative aims to enhance local biodiversity, improve coastal resilience, and foster a reciprocal relationship between the community and its environment.

Community Engagement for Sustainable Cities and Biodiversity (SDG 11 & 15)

The Native Seed Library Initiative

Established with a grant from the Jp Doherty Foundation, the ERP’s seed library is a community resource designed to increase the accessibility of native plants. This directly supports the targets of SDG 11 by promoting sustainable urban green spaces and SDG 15 by halting biodiversity loss.

• The library contains seed packets for 40 species of native plants, available to any individual, organization, or business.
• It addresses a market gap, as native plants are not widely available in commercial nurseries or large retail stores.
• The program is inspired by Indigenous seed-saving practices, which emphasize ecological stewardship and cultural preservation.

Community Impact and Contribution to Urban Ecosystems

The initiative has seen significant community uptake, with initial seed supplies exhausted within months of its launch. This public engagement is critical for achieving the participatory aspects of SDG 11. Participants have reported tangible benefits that align with SDG 15 targets for ecosystem restoration.

1. Enhanced Biodiversity: The planting of native species has led to an increase in local fauna.
2. Improved Soil Health: Native plants are ecologically adapted to the region, contributing to better soil conditions.
3. Sustainable Gardening: Native species require less intervention and resources, promoting sustainable land use at a local level.

Enhancing Coastal Resilience through Research (SDG 13 & 14)

Focus on Wetland Restoration

A key component of the project is a partnership with the ODU Wetland Plant and Restoration Lab. This collaboration focuses on propagating native coastal wetland plants to bolster marsh restoration, a critical strategy for climate change mitigation and adaptation (SDG 13) and the conservation of marine ecosystems (SDG 14).

The ecological functions of these wetlands are vital for achieving sustainability targets:

• Climate Action (SDG 13): Marshes serve as significant carbon sinks and provide natural defense against coastal erosion and wave energy, enhancing resilience to climate-related hazards.
• Life Below Water (SDG 14): Wetlands provide essential food and habitat for marine wildlife, including commercially important species like blue crabs and menhaden.

Investigating Saltmarsh Cordgrass (Sporobulus alterniflorus)

The research centers on saltmarsh cordgrass, utilizing “hyperlocal” seeds from a 200-year-old wetland in the Elizabeth River. The primary hypothesis is that local genotypes possess superior genetic adaptations to regional conditions. Promoting genetic diversity through seed-based propagation, rather than asexual cloning, is essential for building resilient ecosystems capable of withstanding disease and the impacts of climate change, directly supporting SDG 13 and SDG 14.

Challenges and Findings in Plant Propagation

Barriers to Seed Germination

The research team is investigating why saltmarsh cordgrass, while resilient as a mature plant, struggles to propagate from seed. Understanding these barriers is crucial for developing scalable restoration techniques.

Initial findings have identified several challenges:

• A high percentage of collected seeds lack a fully formed embryo.
• The species relies on inefficient wind-based pollination for sexual reproduction.
• Significant seed loss occurs due to predation by grasshoppers and other animals.
• Germination requires specific environmental cues, including precise light and temperature conditions.

Conclusion: Partnerships for Sustainable Development (SDG 17)

The Elizabeth River Project’s initiative serves as a model for achieving the SDGs through multi-stakeholder collaboration, as outlined in SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The project effectively integrates the efforts of a non-profit organization, an academic institution, private funding, and active community members. By linking community-led biodiversity efforts with scientific research on climate resilience, the program demonstrates that taking care of the land is intrinsically linked to taking care of communities, thereby advancing a holistic and sustainable development agenda.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article highlights community-based actions within Norfolk, VA, such as the creation of a seed library and workshops. These initiatives promote community engagement, increase access to green spaces through native gardening, and work to protect local natural heritage.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The project directly addresses climate action by focusing on wetland restoration. The article states that wetlands “can also store carbon and slow erosion by dampening wave energy,” which are key functions for climate mitigation and adaptation. The research into creating more resilient marshes that can “withstand disease or a changing climate” further reinforces this connection.

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  The work is centered on the restoration of coastal wetlands in the Elizabeth River. The article mentions these wetlands “provide food and habitat to wildlife such as blue crabs and menhaden,” linking the project directly to the health and protection of marine and coastal ecosystems.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  The core theme is the conservation and restoration of terrestrial and inland water ecosystems, specifically wetlands. The initiative to create a seed library with 40 native plant species aims to halt biodiversity loss by encouraging the growth of plants that support local fauna and improve soil health.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article showcases a multi-stakeholder partnership to achieve its goals. It describes the collaboration between the Elizabeth River Project (a nonprofit), Old Dominion University (an academic institution), the Jp Doherty Foundation (a financial contributor), and the Upper Mattaponi Tribe (an Indigenous community).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.

  The seed library initiative, which was “partly inspired by longstanding Indigenous seed-saving practices,” is a direct effort to safeguard both natural heritage (native plant species) and cultural heritage (traditional ecological knowledge).

• Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

  The research partnership aims to improve marsh restoration by using genetically diverse, “hyperlocal” grasses. The article notes that this genetic diversity “might even help marshes withstand disease or a changing climate,” which directly contributes to strengthening the resilience of coastal ecosystems against climate-related hazards.

• Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans.

  The project’s work with Old Dominion University to “boost marsh restoration efforts in Norfolk” is a clear action for the restoration of coastal ecosystems. The focus on saltmarsh cordgrass is central to this target.

• Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands…

  The entire project is an example of wetland restoration. The collaboration aims “to learn more about propagating native coastal wetland plants” to improve the success of these restoration efforts.

• Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.

  The seed library increases access to native plants, which helps combat habitat degradation and supports local biodiversity. The article mentions that homeowners using native plants have “noticed that their plants bring in local fauna and improve the soil.”

• Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…

  The project is a model of a civil society partnership, bringing together the Elizabeth River Project, Old Dominion University, and the Jp Doherty Foundation to combine community action, scientific research, and financial resources for a common environmental goal.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of native plant species conserved and distributed:

  The article explicitly states the seed library contains “seed packets for 40 species of native plants.” This is a direct indicator of the project’s contribution to conserving local plant biodiversity.

• Level of community engagement and participation:

  Progress is indicated by the high demand for seeds, as the library “ran out of seeds in a few months.” Furthermore, the fact that “People have returned, though, to share thousands of seeds from their own gardens” shows active and sustained community participation.

• Financial resources mobilized for conservation efforts:

  The article mentions a specific financial contribution: “a $25,000 gift from the Jp Doherty Foundation,” which serves as an indicator of mobilized resources for the project.

• Scientific metrics for restoration success:

  The research project uses specific scientific indicators to measure potential success, such as the “rate of germination” of spartina seeds and the finding that “most seeds lack an embryo,” which helps diagnose barriers to restoration.

• Genetic diversity of restored ecosystems (Implied):

  The article discusses the importance of creating “genetically unique offspring” through seed propagation to enhance resilience. An implied indicator of success would be the measurement of increased genetic diversity in restored marshlands compared to those restored with cloned plants.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: bayjournal.com