In the wake of increasingly frequent wildfires and extreme weather events across the American West, the landscape often faces a devastating “double jeopardy.” First, the immediate destruction of the habitat, and second, the subsequent invasion of non-native species that thrive in scorched earth. To combat this, the Seeds of Success (SOS) program, a massive multi-agency effort, seeks to stabilize these ecosystems using the only tool perfectly adapted for the job: native seeds.
At the heart of this mission is American Conservation Experience (ACE). By providing the specialized labor and rapid mobilization necessary to meet the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) ambitious goals, ACE has become a cornerstone of the SOS project, particularly across the rugged terrains. ACE has collected seeds at Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Grand Canyon, along with many other notable sites.
A Model of Interagency Synergy
The SOS project is unique not just for its goal, but for its scale. In 2025, the DOI partnered with ACE for a second consecutive year to launch a massive seed collection effort. What makes this collaboration stand out is the “interagency” nature of the work.
During the 2025 season, ACE crews didn’t just stick to one jurisdiction; they operated across a patchwork of federal lands. Also, the work demonstrates ACE’s ability to scale up quickly to meet a seasonal need in a short window of time to support the agency goals.
In 2025, we served:
— 9 National Parks and Monuments
–1 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Refuge
— 5 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Field Offices
This “all-lands” approach ensures that the seeds collected represent the true genetic diversity of the region, which is critical for successful long-term restoration.
Scaling Up for a Narrow Window
Nature operates on a strict schedule. In the high deserts and plateaus of the Southwest, the window for seed collection is incredibly tight, typically running from mid-July through October.
If the seeds aren’t collected when they are ripe, they are lost to the wind or wildlife, delaying restoration efforts by a full year.
ACE has proven uniquely capable of meeting this seasonal pressure. Demonstrating an impressive ability to scale, ACE mobilized 9 full crews (comprising 4 from the Southwest branch, 4 from the Mountain West, and 1 EPIC crew) along with 11 Individual Placements. In total, over 60 specialized individuals were deployed within a couple of months of the agreement being finalized.
This rapid response is vital; while federal agencies often face bureaucratic hurdles in hiring seasonal staff, ACE acts as a flexible partner that can put boots on the ground exactly when the plants are ready.
Technical Expertise and Field Safety
Collecting native seeds is not merely a matter of “picking flowers.” It is a highly specialized scientific endeavor. ACE members undergo rigorous training to ensure the integrity of the SOS mission. Before hitting the field, members receive:
Plant Identification: Learning to distinguish between rare native species and look-alike invasives.
Best Practices: Understanding how to harvest seeds without damaging the parent population or compromising the genetic viability of the collection.
Safety Training: Given the remote and often hazardous terrain, members receive chainsaw and field safety certifications to ensure they can operate in backcountry settings.
Growing a Workforce Pipeline
Beyond the immediate ecological benefits, ACE’s role in the SOS project serves as an important professional bridge. For the young professionals and conservationists serving in these roles, the experience is a valuable opportunity to pursue federal, nonprofit and private sector jobs.
By working directly alongside BLM, NPS, and FWS staff, ACE members gain the “insider” knowledge and professional networking required to be competitive applicants for agency-level jobs. They leave the program not just with dirt under their fingernails, but with a resume that reflects transferrable job skills along with a sense of pride of making a tremendous impact.
The success of the 2025 season has paved the way for the future. ACE is preparing for its third consecutive year of the SOS project. The scope remains ambitious, supporting a similar number of NPS units, FWS refuges, and BLM sites.
As wildfire seasons become longer and more intense, the work of ACE and the Seeds of Success initiative represents a proactive investment in the future. By securing the seeds of today, ACE is ensuring that the iconic landscapes have the resilience to bloom again for future generations.