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cooperating partners

Hawai‘i Seed Bank Partnership

The Hawai‘i Seed Bank Partnership (HSBP) is a group of cooperating partners dedicated to the use of seed banking, based on scientific research, in order to preserve genetic diversity of native plant species for the purposes of conservation and restoration.

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The HSBP began in 2012 with four members, representing four active seed banks in Hawai‘i dedicated to preserving native species. The formation of HSBP came out of a targeted effort to increase collaboration across all entities doing plant conservation in Hawai‘i. With all of us facing limitations in resources, we came to the important realization that we could accomplish much more by working together. This has been more recently formalized through the establishment of Laukahi, the Hawai‘i Plant Conservation Network. Collaborative efforts such as the HSBP are a priority of Laukahi. Today, the HSBP has grown to include over 60 representatives from 25 organizations, and at an exciting time for seed banking in Hawai‘i.

The mission of the Hawai‘i Seed Bank Partnership is to conserve Hawai‘i’s plant species of conservation importance through collaborative and sustainable seed collecting, banking, research, and outreach.

 

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Our flora has a high percentage of seeds that are not orthodox, and cannot be stored the way all other major seed banks in the world store their seeds (dry and frozen, remaining viable for many decades). With support from internationally-recognized experts in the field, members of the HSBP are primed to be leaders in cutting-edge research and technology, and the HSBP will be a leading global example of coordinated long-term storage of tropical native seeds. All HSBP partners are also committed to working together to ensure that conservation goals are prioritized and that no harm comes to our native plants or ecosystems from seed collection and storage efforts.

Infographic summarizing the 2023 achievements of the hawai'i seed bank partnership, highlighting the number of contributing organizations, total seeds conserved, and plant taxa preserved.
Image created by Kapiʻolani Ching.
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Baskin Report
This document presents a comprehensive analysis of seed germination ecology for Hawaiian montane species, aiming to enhance propagation and restoration efforts. It includes data on dormancy classes, optimal conditions for germination, and time requir...
Five cantaloupe seeds placed on a clear petri dish.
Hawaiʻi Native Plant Material Survey
The Seed Survey by Laukahi: The Hawaiʻi Plant Conservation Network aims to gather information on the collection, production, and use of native plant materials in Hawaiʻi to address supply chain shortfalls and support conservation, reforestation, and ...
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Hawaiʻi Seed Bank User's Guide
The Hawaiʻi Seed Bank User's Guide, created by the Hawaiʻi Seed Bank Partnership, offers comprehensive guidance on banking seeds of Hawaiʻi's native plants, focusing on conservation practices, seed storage protocols, and longevity for conservation pr...

Laukahi has a growing number of partners that help to implement the Hawai‘i Strategy for Plant Conservation by supporting our initiatives, conducting field work to protect native habitats, propagate and secure propagules in ex situ facilities, and do research to inform strategies.

Mahalo to all our partners!