Our Challenge
Our ability to meet the growing demand for seed preservation, seed production and increased seed collections is currently threatened.

Our existing seed bank (a 485 square foot adobe guest house built in the 1920s) is at maximum capacity. The five freezers that preserve our seed collection by keeping it at a cold and constant temperature, are full. There is no additional space in the seed bank to add new freezers. The facility's electrical system is at capacity and has no backup generator. In addition, our seed bank has an unreliable alarm system and no sprinkler system to protect the rare and, in many cases, priceless seeds from vandalism, fire, theft or power failure.

Native Seeds/SEARCH has exciting plans to build a new facility that will provide a larger, safer and more secure location to house our seed collection. This will allow us to continue and expand our work.

Highlights of the New NS/S Seed Bank:

• Increased seed safety and security with back-up generator, security system and sprinkler system.
• Nearly 5,300 sq. feet of work space including research labs, cold storage, walk-in freezer, volunteer work room, conservation offices, and loading dock.
• Demonstration gardens and heirloom orchards.
• Active and passive green construction features, including rainwater harvesting, solar energy, and sustainable materials.
• Recognition for our Campaign Donors.
• Located at Tucson’s new Brandi Fenton Memorial Park in the Binghampton Historic District. This site is listed on the National Register of Historic Landscapes as an historical agricultural site.
• Partnership with Pima County to create long range opportunities for demonstration gardens, community classroom space, retail outlet and commercial kitchen.

Download the Capital Campaign information packet.

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