Western Cone & Seed Summit 2026 Highlights
May 6-8 Bend, OR
The 2026 Western Cone & Seed Summit (WCSS) hosted practitioners spanning academia, private industry, tribal nations, non-profits, and public agencies to contribute their knowledge and collaborate on ideas in scaling tree seed supply.
Attendee Survey Outcomes
Most Prominent Barrier(s) to Scale Seed Supply
Solutions Stakeholders in Attendance Could Offer
Shared Seed Needs (Source-Species)
Northeast Washington- Douglas Fir
Eastern Oregon- Ponderosa Pine
Northeast Oregon- Western Larch
Northern California/Southern Oregon- Coast Redwood
Central California- Douglas Fir
Colorado- Ponderosa Pine
Oregon- Incense Cedar
Field Trip Site Visit to Whychus Canyon Preserve
When audience members were surveyed on their greatest barrier to scale seed supply, workforce and training was the top response. Audience discussion yielded feedback from members of the collection workforce with some pushback on this perceived barrier. In summary, members of the collection workforce noted that the workforce exists and could be readily scaled however- the greatest barriers for the workforce are;
1) Sufficient scouting for planned collections. If training investments are made, they should be for forestry operators to identify and adequately assess cone crops. Otherwise, budgets need to include scouting operations as a necessary line item.
2) Known marketplace demand of seed sources for the workforce to address. This includes marketplace readiness to pay for services provided by the specialized workforce.
3) Consistent contracts to sustain a skilled workforce. In order to maintain a specialized seed collection workforce, steady work contracts need to be established. Seed collection is seasonal and service providers need a steady flow of contracts to support their collection crews.
Surveys were also issued to connect attendees with solutions they could provide and responses reflected the opportunity for partnerships across stakeholders. Attendees were also asked what crops they wish to collect in 2026 and shared seed needs were identified. Partnership opportunities and shared seed source needs are highlighted below.
Partnership Opportunities
Radicle Seed Solutions- Cooperative Collections & Services
WA DNR Post Fire Resilience Program- Ecological Forestry Planning & GIS Analysis
Resilient Forestry- Post Fire Reforestation Regional Planning
Rebel Cultures- Plant Tissue Culture Propagation Projects
American Forests- Reforestation Pipeline Partnership (California)
Speaker Summaries
Theme: Research Tech & Genetics
Seed Adaptation Strategy for Future Climates presented by April Meeks, State Seed Geneticist, Washington Department of Natural Resources Seed Adaptation Strategy Presentation PDF Redwoods in the PNW: Integrating Novel Species for Forest Resilience presented by Russell Kramer, PhD, Applied Ecologist, Resilient Forestry Report: Redwood Strategy for the Pacific NorthwestTissue Culture to Overcome Seed Shortages presented by Della Fetzer, Founder, Rebel Cultures Making Biodiverse Propagation Accessible presented by Ashley Beckwith PhD, Foray Bioscience Biodiverse Propagation Presentation PDFTheme: Seed Supply Solutions in Action
CAL-FIRE's Reforestation Services Program presented by Erika Teach, Seed Bank Manager, & Spencer Lachman, Environmental Scientist, CAL FIRE CAL-FIRE's Reforestation Services Program Presentation PDFSeed Processes & Tools presented by Kayla Herriman, National Seed Specialist, USFS Bend Seed Extractory Seed Processing Improvements & Challenges presented by Kea Woodruff, General Manager, SilvaseedScaling Reforestation Infrastructure presented by Dawn Mabrier, Seed Processing Manager, Cal Forest NurseriesTheme: Seed Demand & Finance
Reforestation Need, Demand, and Capacity: Identifying the Gap presented by Brian Morris PhD, Vice President, Resilient Reforestation, American ForestsWestern Forests at a Crossroads. Science, Capital, and the Work Ahead presented by Matthew Aghai PhD, Viridian Ecosystems Shared Crops Raise All Ships: Cooperatives for a Resilient Seed Supply Chain presented by Felicia Froton, Radicle Seed Solutions Shared Crops Raise All Ships Presentation PDFTheme: Workforce & Community Engagement
Climber to Tree Planter Training: A Full Spectrum Business Model presented by Steen Christensen, SEGI ReforestationBuilding the 2030 Workforce: A Strategic Shift toward Upskilling Mid-career Professionals presented by Marin Chambers, Colorado Forest Restoration Institute, Colorado State University; Rachael Foe, American Forests; Erica Hample, CSU Extension Building the 2030 Workforce Presentation PDF
Special Thanks to our Sponsors
Sierra Cone
Additional Thanks to our Field Trip Hosts
Future Western Cone & Seed Summits
The 2027 Western Cone & Seed Summit is coming to the Rockies!
We want to hear from you- where in the Rockies would you most likely be able to attend and what you would like to see at WCSS27. Speakers and co-organizer interest welcome!
Please fill out this linked form for WCSS27 input.
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Art by Erin Fox at Psychedelic Lens