Niagara Parks Blog

Niagara Parks and Trees Ontario will be hosting a Certified Seed Collector Workshop from August 29 – 30 at NPC’s own School of Horticulture.

This two-day certification program is being held to provide participants with training in the science and logistics of collecting and marketing seed. Not only is seed collection vital for Ontario’s tree populations, it is also an opportunity for individuals to earn an income.

Seed collectors are the crucial first link in the chain of people who provide customers with planting material. In southern Ontario, seed collection is complicated by many variables such as the numerous tree and shrub species, infrequent seed years, uncertain markets and the number of small operators who are able to provide seed in the private sector. As a result, growers are not consistently able to get the native seed they need. In some cases, collectors can obtain quality seed but they need assistance in finding a market for their product. Climate change has also made the collection of high quality, source-identified seed more important than ever.

In order to become a Registered Certified Seed Collector (CSC), participants are required to attend the two mandatory course days, pass an exam with 70% or higher, and sign the CSC Code of Ethics. Once registered, CSC’s are eligible to register their own source-identified seed lots with the Forest Gene Conservation Association’s seed source certification program, Ontario’s Natural Selections.

The cost for the workshop is $100 per day, payable to Trees Ontario, which includes: Seed Manual of Ontario (value – $25), Insect Manual ($20), handouts, daily lunch & refreshments and CSC Registration. Workshops include an indoor session and a field day.

To learn more about the workshop and to register please contact Trees Ontario at
1-877-646-1193, email info@treesontario.ca or visit the Trees Ontario website.