Hi,

I’m Ed Toth, Executive Director of Mid-Atlantic Regional Seed Bank (MARSB.) I’m reaching out to you from an existential crossroads for our organization. Despite promising growth and momentum since receiving our 501(c)(3) status in 2022, our anticipated 2026 federal funding of $200,000 to scout, collect, clean and store native seed supplies has been suddenly canceled.

Native seeds are the small sustainers that conserve natural landscapes, preserve biodiversity, and restore life-enabling ecosystems and natural services in the wake of climate disaster. It requires many stages of specialized and skilled development to scout, collect, clean, store, propagate, nurse and increase native seed supplies for use on the landscape, while also maintaining supply quality and authenticity.

Past federal land management investments have cultivated strong native seed supply chains in the western United States. But, such consistent and reliable supplies from Virginia to New York do not exist. As wildfire, flash flood and tropical storm frequency and severity in the Eastern U.S. all increase — and natural landscapes continue to be lost to development — it’s essential funding investments in the Mid-Atlantic Region continue and federal rescissions are replaced.

If we don’t replace this funding, we will have to begin laying off staff and cutting back operations in January 2026. In most immediate danger is our seed collection program. Without reliable native seed supplies, Mid-Atlantic land management and restoration efforts will be forever compromised addressing climate change.

Please join me in protecting the future of native seed supplies in the Mid-Atlantic Region at a critical moment by donating, sharing this fundraiser, and introducing us to funders you think can help.

Our team is simultaneously developing private funding partnerships and multi-state legislation action to fill the federal funding gap beyond 2026, shoring up MARSB to meet climate change’s challenges for years to come.

WE ALL CAN and MUST take action to protect ecosystems for future generations.

Thank you for your support – always.

Ed Toth

MARSB Incorporated is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.