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Idaho Matters

Idaho tree nursery helps fill 'critical need'

The United States is in the middle of a seed shortage, but seeds aren't the only thing in short supply, so are the people that help grow them. Idaho Matters talks with the director of one Idaho nursery that is helping to fill this critical need.

Broadcast on:
06 Sep 2022

Baby trees from the Franklin H. Pitkin Forest Nursery.
Baby trees from the Franklin H. Pitkin Forest Nursery. ( Andrew Nelson)

Reforestation plays an essential role in mitigating climate change and revitalizing our ecosystems, but it can be hard to plant new trees when you don’t have enough seeds.

According to a recent study from Frontiers, nurseries across the country are short more than two billion seedlings annually. Seeds aren't the only thing in short supply, but the people that help grow them.

The University of Idaho’s Franklin H. Pitkin Forest Nursery is helping to fill this gap by growing baby trees and training nursery leaders.

Director of the Franklin H Pitkin Nursery, Andrew Nelson joined Idaho Matters to talk more about the nursery and its efforts.