Help Native Plants Thrive—One Seed at a Time
Native seed libraries rely on everyday plant lovers who help collect seeds from local ecotype plants throughout northeast Ohio. At Creekside Collaborative Partners, we clean and prepare these seeds for sowing, then package them for community distribution in partnership with local park districts and libraries. Together, we’re making native plants more accessible and empowering more people to support biodiversity at home.
How You Can Help
Your time and care make all the difference.
Visit the main Creekside Collaborative Partners page to view upcoming volunteer opportunities. You can also help build the inventory for our seed library:
- Collect seeds from native plants when they’re ready for harvest
- Use our easy identification and collection guides
- Bring your collected seeds to designated drop-off locations
- Spread the word to friends, neighbors, and gardening groups
What We Do
We take it from seed to community resource.
- Clean and process donated seeds
- Package them for community distribution
- Partner with local libraries and park districts to share them widely
- Provide educational resources to help residents plant and grow native species at home
Why It Matters
When more people have access to native plants, local ecosystems grow stronger. Seed libraries help expand pollinator habitat, restore natural resilience, and bring the beauty—and benefits—of native species back to our communities.
Happening Now: Native Seed Collection
Our restoration projects are completed with native trees and wildflowers. We strive to use ‘local ecotype’ plants which refers to native plants that are uniquely adapted to our region’s natural conditions and are better able to adapt to the stressors of climate change.
We responsibly collects native nuts, seeds, seedlings, and cuttings to propagate at Creekside Collaborative Partners. You can contribute to our Native Plant and Seed Collection Program by collecting and donating native tree or shrub seedlings. Please remember: it is illegal to collect from the National Parks or Metropark locations. Please ask permission from homeowners if you are not collecting on your own property.
Contact Danielle Dejak to coordinate the drop-off at Creekside Collaborative Partners. She can be reached at (216) 749-3720 ext.16 or danielle@westcreek.org.
Species to Collect this Fall 2026:
Wild Black Cherry, Black Walnut, Tulip Poplar, Chokecherry, Ninebark, Nannyberry, Steeplebush, Green Ash, White Ash, Swamp Milkweed, Black Eyed Susan, New England Aster, Foxglove Beardtongue, Blue Vervain, Dense Blazing Star
To get your native plants to the nursery, we’ve outlined a step-by-step resource below.
Educational Resources
How to Know When Native Seedlings are Ready to be Harvested
It is important to determine when native seedlings are ready for harvest. Not sure how to? Check out our guide to harvesting native seedlings.
Harvesting Guide for Native Seedlings and Plants
Creekside Collaborative is always in need of native trees and seedlings. To get your native plants to the nursery, follow this harvesting guide.
How to Add Native Plants to Your Garden
Many of us have chosen to cultivate species and landscapes that are not naturally-occurring in our region. It’s wasteful, expensive and detrimental to wildlife who encounter reduced availability of the native species upon which they feed.
Wildlife-Friendly Fall Yard Cleanup
Before any landscape program begins, assess the current conditions of your home landscape. This assessment will help you to identify and prioritize future projects and allow you to appreciate all the positive changes you’ve made.
Composting 101
Before any landscape program begins, assess the current conditions of your home landscape. This assessment will help you to identify and prioritize future projects and allow you to appreciate all the positive changes you’ve made.
Turf Grass Care
Before any landscape program begins, assess the current conditions of your home landscape. This assessment will help you to identify and prioritize future projects and allow you to appreciate all the positive changes you’ve made.
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