US seed plan aims to protect land after natural disasters

Federal authorities have announced a plan to produce massive quantities of seeds from native plants so they can be quickly planted to help the land recover from natural disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes.

The U.S. Department of the Interior said Monday that the program will make landscapes more resilient and healthier, especially Western rangelands where massive wildfires have been an increasing problem.

Officials hope to create a national network of seed collectors, growers and storage facilities so that enough native seeds will be available immediately after disasters to avoid erosion and prevent invasive species from moving in.

Interior Secretary Sally Jewell says in a statement that having the right seed at the right time will help protect landscapes.