Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Program

The Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Program (SFE) is a long-standing grant initiative administered by Wild Ones, Native Plants, Natural Landscapes, Ltd., a nonprofit organization founded on promoting environmentally sound landscaping practices and the use of native plants. Named in honor of Lorrie Otto, a founding figure of Wild Ones and a lifelong advocate for environmental education and native plant conservation, the program continues her legacy by connecting young people with nature through hands-on learning experiences. The fund, established in 1996 by the Wild Ones Board of Directors, underscores the organization’s belief in the importance of fostering environmental stewardship from an early age. SFE grants are specifically designed to support youth-led native plant garden and landscape projects throughout the United States. The purpose of these grants is to fund projects that directly involve young people—from preschool through high school—in the design, planning, planting, and maintenance of gardens composed of native species. The grant supports outdoor educational projects such as pollinator gardens, rain gardens, sensory and natural playgrounds, monarch waystations, and tallgrass prairies. These projects must emphasize ecological education and must use native plants and seeds appropriate to the local ecoregion. Vegetable gardens and projects that include invasive or non-native plants are explicitly disqualified. Grants typically range from $100 to $500 and must be used for the acquisition of native plants and seeds. The funding does not cover materials for vegetable gardens, structures, or salaries. Proposals should demonstrate clear educational benefits, solid project planning, long-term sustainability, and meaningful youth engagement. Applications are evaluated by a committee comprising Wild Ones staff, board members, and volunteers. Evaluation criteria include alignment with the Wild Ones mission, level of youth involvement, educational value, quality of planning and maintenance strategy, appropriateness of plant selection, and overall community impact. All public and private schools, nonprofit organizations such as nature centers and community youth groups, and other educational or youth-focused institutions across the United States are eligible to apply. A project coordinator must be designated, and applications that show collaboration with a local Wild Ones chapter or knowledgeable personnel are viewed favorably. The application period for the 2026 planting season runs from July 15 to November 15, 2025. Awards will be communicated to recipients by February 16, 2026. Applicants must submit their proposals through the online platform provided by Wild Ones during this window. Projects awarded for the 2025 season must submit final grant reports by February 28, 2026. If a grant report deadline extension is needed, recipients are instructed to contact support@wildones.org. For applicants with access to a local Wild Ones chapter, additional support may be available in the form of advice, species recommendations, and volunteer assistance. For additional information or to clarify application details, interested parties are encouraged to contact Wild Ones directly via email at support@wildones.org. The success of the SFE program is made possible through donor contributions and the ongoing engagement of the Wild Ones membership base. The program is driven by a commitment to creating lasting, sustainable connections between youth and the natural world through place-based, ecologically focused education.

Emphasize youth involvement, use native plants specific to your region, and include a long-term maintenance plan.