November 19, 2025 – Carolinian Canada and partners are celebrating the launch of the new Southern Ontario Seed Strategy (SOSS) logo. The logo will be used by partners in four regional Native Seed and Plant Partnerships (NSPPs) in southern Ontario implementing the SOSS.
The SOSS is a regional solution to address the crises of climate change and biodiversity loss and includes recommendations to increase the quantity and diversity of native seeds in southern Ontario to meet ecological restoration and cultural needs over the next five years and beyond. The strategy addresses the challenges, gaps, and opportunities to build a robust and ethical supply chain in the region as governments seek to deliver on 2030 biodiversity commitments and goals for climate resilience.
Embedded in the strategy is the importance of grounding the growth of the sector in Indigenous leadership and reconciliation, as Indigenous Peoples have been stewards of the land since time immemorial with strong cultural practices associated with native seeds and plants.
A seed is the central symbol of the logo from which a Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) plant is growing, which is a plant of ecological and cultural importance. As one of the first native flowers to bloom in the spring, Bloodroot provides critical food for early pollinators on the southern Ontario landscape and supports biodiversity. It is also a culturally significant plant, welcomed as a sign of spring for thousands of years and used as a dye and medicine by some Indigenous communities.[1]
The SOSS logo is intended to amplify the collective work of diverse horticultural partners in the native plant sector and connect to a southern Ontario vision for reconciliation, ethical green economy, sustainable growth, and climate resilience.
Carolinian Canada invites groups, businesses, and gardeners who want to grow healthy landscapes to explore caroliniancanada.ca/seed.
Support for the SOSS Logo
“The new SOSS logo celebrates and recognizes the ongoing work of organizations, government, Indigenous communities, businesses, and land stewards to increase the supply of native seeds and plants for healthy biodiversity and effective climate-resilience across the southern Ontario landscape. Using the logo means aligning with the goals of the SOSS, which centre Indigenous leadership, Two-Eyed Seeing, and the practice of reconciliation as essential to building an ethical restoration economy. We invite partners in the native seed and plant sector to engage in a regional Native Seed and Plant Partnership and connect their work with the greater SOSS vision.” —Jennifer Nantais, Healthy Habitat Manager, Carolinian Canada
“The Southern Ontario Seed Strategy embodies hope in action where Indigenous wisdom and leadership can thrive in our natural world. Together, through collaboration and mutual respect, we can cultivate landscapes that are resilient and reflect the rich cultural heritage on traditional territories in southern Ontario alongside partners who share the same values for ethical practices. Aligning around the new logo shows we are growing together, nurturing the seeds of hope for a sustainable and reconciled future.” —Sam Whiteye, Indigenous Leadership Director, Carolinian Canada
“The new SOSS logo represents the strength and unity of our collective work to restore and protect native ecosystems across Southern Ontario. At Kayanase, it reflects our shared commitment to supporting the health and well-being of Mother Earth through a Two-Eyed Seeing approach, guided by Indigenous and Western knowledge, collaboration, and respect for biodiversity. This symbol helps connect our efforts across communities, reminding us that we are all part of one larger vision for ecological and cultural renewal.” —Dan Werner, Operations Manager, Kayanase Greenhouse
“The Ontario Native Plant Growers Association (ONPGA) is proud to adopt the new SOSS logo. As a collective voice for native plant nurseries across the province, the ONPGA welcomes the logo as a visual connection for all of us who know and feel the intrinsic value and benefits of native plants. Those inherent benefits, including our ability to restore fragmented landscapes and marginal lands, are why so many of us are so heavily involved in the business of promoting, profiling, and growing native plants and seeds. Our use of the logo will promote sharing of knowledge and integration of our work with seeds and plants to meet ever-growing demands across multiple sectors.” —Rob Messervey, Vice-Chair, Ontario Native Plant Growers Association
“Canadian Wildlife Federation engages in restoration activities across southern Ontario. We need seeds and plants that are genetically appropriate for these projects and want to align with organizations that share the goals envisioned by the SOSS. Native seeds represent hope for the future and restoration of land and relationships are possible with good intentions, hard work, and seeds. The SOSS logo will bring more visibility to these efforts.” —Carolyn Callaghan, Senior Conservation Biologist, Canadian Wildlife Federation
“In 2025, the Kawartha Climate and Conservation Partnership began piloting solutions to the native seed supply challenges. Our aspiration is to support seed-based restorationists, land managers, trainers, seed harvesters, and nursery industry in our region, turning the Kawarthas into a center of supply for native seed. Using the SOSS logo in our work will remind everyone that we're part of a provincial network tackling this important challenge.” —Thom Unrau, Director of Community Conservation, Kawartha Land Trust
“At its heart, the Southern Ontario Seed Strategy is about fostering connections. It connects people to each other and to the land we are trying to heal through native seed. It is written in the language of connection: communities, networks, relationships, partnerships. As a new native seed company, Swallowtail Native Plants has been supported and encouraged by participating in the SOSS community.“ —Andrea D’Silva, Swallowtail Native Plants
“NPCA proudly embraces the unified mission embodied by the SOSS and its new logo, a symbol rooted in a shared purpose and vision. Together, we amplify the importance of strategic native seed management and affirm that a healthy, resilient future comes from our unwavering commitment to collaborate.” —Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority
Support for the strategy and logo was provided by the Greenbelt Foundation, Canadian Wildlife Federation, and Environment and Climate Change Canada.