Growing a Plant Materials Program: Providing Specialized Plant Materials for Restoration in New York State Parks

The Plant Materials Program provides native, regionally appropriate seed and plants for environmental stewardship projects in New York State Parks. The program works directly with Parks land managers- often on projects that require re-planting after invasive species removal. The program fulfills a need for specialized plant materials, with a focus on species diversity and localized genetics. This presentation will highlight best practices used for sustainable plant materials collection, logistics of program operation, and restoration project highlights.

Speaker Biographies:
Brigitte Wierzbicki, Plant Materials Program Coordinator
Brigitte manages a statewide program that provides native, regionally appropriate seed and plants for environmental stewardship projects in New York State Parks. She’s been involved with State Parks since 2014, when she began interning with the Finger Lakes Environmental Field Team. Brigitte has a BS in Environmental Biology from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, where she focused on arthropod and plant associations.

David Rutherford, Plant Materials Program Lead Technician
David received his BS in Biotechnology at SUNY ESF and worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 7 years before changing careers to pursue his true passion, conservation. As the lead field technician for the Plant Materials Program, Dave spends most of his time collecting local, native seeds for restoration and enhancement projects throughout New York State Parks.