1) Why have you changed your seed distribution mechanism?

Since early 2009, the WSP decentralized its seed distribution. This had to be done in order to address increasing restrictions in mailing seeds, the rising costs of sending individual packets of seeds from the United States, and the need to establish stronger collaborative partnership with in-country groups. The WSP is now sending larger quantities of seeds to partner organizations within developing countries, working on reforestation, that have the capacity to re-distribute the seeds locally.

2) How can I apply to have my organization become a partner in seed distribution?

To request further information on how to apply to become a seed distributor for the New Forests Project send an email to Pia Iolster piolster@ic-nfp.org.  Qualifying organizations need to be well established and registered under their country laws as a non-profit organization that promotes reforestation and/or sustainable development.  They have to have the capacity to re-distribute the seeds for free locally and provide advice to those receiving the seeds, or else use them for projects of their own that benefit local people.  

3) We do not have the capacity to re-distribute large quantities of seeds locally but we still need to receive some seeds from the WSP for a reforestation effort, what can be done?

Send an email to piolster@ic-nfp.org and explain your situation.  If any current partners of the WSP are close to your locality or working within your country, we will see if there is a way to make some seeds available to you.

4) What are my organization’s responsibilities if it becomes a seed distributor for the WSP?

We do not charge for the seeds or the shipping.  However, we do expect you to distribute the seeds for free locally and provide advice to those receiving them, if needed. You can also use the seeds for your organization’s own reforestation efforts.  You will have to send in a report once you have distributed the seeds of any shipment you receive from us.

5) What amount of seeds will my organization receive?

We usually provide up to 5 kilograms of seeds for each shipment.  Shipments are coordinated several times a year (usually four) and you will be able to order more seeds if we have received a report from you on the seed distribution of the last shipment we did to you.

6) Where will the seeds come from and how long will it take for them to arrive?

We usually purchase seeds from India.  Our seeds suppliers mail them directly to our partners.  Once we place the order it usually takes our seed suppliers 2-3 weeks to mail out the seeds because they need to obtain a phytosanitary certificate before shipping them.  Once the seeds are mailed they usually take a minimum of one month to arrive; but it is not unusual for them to take three or four months to do so, especially to some countries in Africa. 

7) How often can I request seeds?

We usually coordinate four shipments a year. If you have sent in a report for the last shipment you received from us and expressed an interest in receiving more seeds, we will include you in our next shipment.

8) Which species do you provide?

We currently have a list of 16 species of agroforestry trees.  For more information on the species we provide click here (link to 2008 Specieslist English) 

9) How can we select the right species for our projects?

If you are not sure which species are good for your area or needs we recommend you obtain the altitude, temperature ranges and rainfall of your particular geographic region.  With our list of species (see question 8) go to the World Agroforestry Centre’s website  (www.worldagroforestrycentre.org) and click on the link to the Agroforestree Database on the main page (bottom right corner).  You will be able to access detailed information for many agroforestry species (including the 16 we provide). 

10) What are nitrogen-fixing trees?

Nitrogen-fixing trees are trees that can take nitrogen from the air (normally unavailable to plants) and incorporate it into their leaves and tissue.  This nitrogen, through the cycling of organic matter, can in turn be passed on to the ground and other plants.  The actual organisms that take the nitrogen from the air and incorporate it into the leaves and tissues of the trees are soil bacteria that reside in the roots of the nitrogen-fixing trees.  Because nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth, nitrogen-fixing trees can have an important role in fertilizing the ground.   

11) What does multi-purpose tree mean?

Multi-purpose trees are trees that can provide numerous products and services, such as: soil fertilization (through nitrogen fixation and/or organic material), timber production, animal feed (forage or fodder), shade, windbreak, live fences and food for humans (fruit, vegetables, root, oil).  Multipurpose trees can be integrated into farming practices to improve yields and diversify products and can provide several services at one time.

12) How do you prevent invasiveness?

We have recently restricted the distribution of some of the species we provide to avoid sending them to areas where risks of them becoming invasive are high.  Normally, we try to send seeds of species that are native to the region where the project will be implemented. 

13) What kind of technical assistance do you provide?

We can provide you with our technical guide that gives you information on how to handle the seeds, store them, and prepare them for sowing, as well as how to establish a nursery and taking care of seedlings and young trees.  We can send you a copy by mail or you can click here to access the guide. (link to Tech Doc Final)

14) Do you provide genetically modified seeds?

No. Our seeds are not genetically modified.

15) What is the quality of the seeds you provide?

The seeds we provide come from seed suppliers that produce high quality seed.

16) Do you provide financial support for reforestation projects?

When funds become available, we do provide some small grants of up to $1,500 for to support training in reforestation and/or agroforestry, and for the purchase of equipment needed for reforestation projects.  Click here for more information (link to financial support page)

17) How can I contact other groups and organizations in my own country that are working on similar issues?

If we are working with more than one organization within your country or particular region, we will be happy to share this information with you to promote networking and exchange of information among interested parties.  You can send an email to Pia Iolster piolster@ic-nfp.org to request such information.