Sponsors (2)
The bill boosts domestic seed and nursery capacity and speeds reforestation through targeted grants, streamlined permitting, and international collaboration, but does so by reallocating limited Trust Fund dollars and administrative capacity—benefiting established growers and restoration projects while risking reduced funding for other priorities and potential exclusion of smaller growers.
State forestry agencies, Tribes, and qualified nurseries receive grants to expand nursery and seed-orchard capacity, increasing availability of native seedlings for reforestation.
Shortened seed-collection permit timelines speed up collection on National Forest System lands, accelerating restoration and wildfire recovery projects.
Federal investment (up to $5M/year from the Reforestation Trust Fund) supports nursery infrastructure, workforce training, and seed storage, creating local jobs and economic activity.
Using up to $5M/year from the Reforestation Trust Fund reduces funds available for other Trust Fund priorities and projects, shifting limited federal dollars away from alternative uses.
Grant competition limited to experienced private nurseries, States, and Tribes may exclude smaller or newer growers, concentrating funds among established operators and limiting broad-based small-business benefit.
Expedited seed-collection permitting could increase administrative pressure on Forest Service staff and risk insufficient environmental review if timelines shorten without added resources.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Directs the Forest Service to support nurseries and seed orchards, creates a competitive grant program, and authorizes up to $5M/year from the Reforestation Trust Fund.
Provides the Forest Service new authority and funding to support tree nurseries, seed orchards, and genetic resources needed for large-scale reforestation. It directs the Secretary of Agriculture to create partnerships, share technical and financial assistance (including international cooperation), coordinate across USDA and other agencies, and set up a competitive grant program (to be established within two years) to fund nursery development, equipment, quality control, workforce training, and related activities. The bill also allows up to $5 million per year to be obligated from unspent amounts in the Reforestation Trust Fund for these activities and requires expedited seed-collection permitting on National Forest System lands.
Official title: To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to collaborate with various entities, and to establish a grant program, as a means of supporting nurseries and seed orchards, and for other purposes.
Introduced February 25, 2026 by Kim Schrier · Last progress February 25, 2026