A need for native seeds

+ humility at the heart of Palm Sunday US Edition - Today's top story: A shortage of native seeds is slowing land restoration across the US, which is crucial for tackling climate change and extinctions [View in browser]( US Edition | 1 April 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( When Lady Bird Johnson started her highway beautification campaign as first lady in the 1960s, some people questioned why it mattered what grew along highways or on other public lands. But Johnson was ahead of her time – especially in championing use of wildflowers and other native plants that were adapted to local conditions and grew well without needing lots of water and fertilizer. Today it’s widely recognized that native plants are the best choice for restoration projects – but as University of Connecticut plant scientists Julia Kuzovkina and John Campanelli explain, the U.S. [doesn’t have enough native plant seeds to meet demand](. They’re working to promote use of native plants for roadside restoration in New England and to help build up a seed supply network that can keep the region in bloom. This week we also liked articles about the dangers of [fentanyl adulterated with xylazine](, the [underwhelming state of the nation’s math mastery]( and [Trump’s legal woes](. Jennifer Weeks Senior Environment + Energy Editor Today's newsletter supported by [readers like you.]( Planting native plant seeds on sand dunes at Westward Beach in Malibu, Calif., to stabilize the dunes. Al Seib / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images [A shortage of native seeds is slowing land restoration across the US, which is crucial for tackling climate change and extinctions]( Julia Kuzovkina, University of Connecticut; John Campanelli, University of Connecticut Native plants help damaged landscapes by stabilizing soil, fighting invasive species and sheltering pollinators. Two horticulture experts explain what they’re doing to help develop new seed sources. A man chooses a palm cross to buy on Palm Sunday near a church in Caracas, Venezuela, in 2022. Javier Campos/NurPhoto via Getty Images [Holy Week starts off with lots of palms – but Palm Sunday’s donkey is just as important to the story]( Joanne M. Pierce, College of the Holy Cross Donkeys and palm leaves are both associated with Christianity’s Palm Sunday – but their symbolism couldn’t be more different. A supporter of former President Donald Trump protests the indictment announcement near Mar-a-Lago, Fla., on March 31, 2023. Chandan Khan/AFP via Getty Images [Trump’s indictment stretches US legal system in new ways – a former prosecutor explains 4 key points to understand]( Jeffrey Bellin, William & Mary Law School The Manhattan District Attorney will need to prove several different points in its prosecution of Trump. But securing an unbiased jury will also challenge the execution of this unprecedented case. - [What is xylazine? A medical toxicologist explains how it increases overdose risk, and why Narcan can still save a life]( Kavita Babu, UMass Chan Medical School Xylazine, or tranq, is increasingly being mixed with drugs like fentanyl or heroin and can be difficult to detect. Most people who use drugs are unable to tell if they have been exposed to it. - [Declines in math readiness underscore the urgency of math awareness]( Manil Suri, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Nearly four decades after President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Math Awareness Week, math readiness and enrollment in college math programs continue to decline. - [As the global musical phenomenon turns 50, a hip-hop professor explains what the word ‘dope’ means to him]( A.D. Carson, University of Virginia As the world celebrates the 50th anniversary of the birth of hip-hop, a scholar of the culture and its musical genres explores the meaning of the word ‘dope.’ - [FDA approval of over-the-counter Narcan is an important step in the effort to combat the US opioid crisis]( - [Prosecuting Trump would inevitably be political – and other countries have had mixed success in holding ex-presidents accountable]( - [Can this former CEO fix the World Bank and solve the world’s climate finance and debt crises as the institution’s next president?]( - [Room-temperature superconductors could revolutionize electronics – an electrical engineer explains the materials’ potential]( - [Why don’t parents like their kids to play with toy guns?]( - [What’s at stake as protests rock Israel: 3 essential reads on democracy, security and human rights]( - [Against baseball’s new pitch clock]( - [MLK’s vision of social justice included religious pluralism – a house of many faiths]( The Conversation Quiz 🧠- Here’s the first question of [this week’s edition:]( Which change has Major League Baseball made for the 2023 season? - A. Banned the sale of peanuts due to allergy concerns - B. Banned players from spitting in front of children - C. Added a pitch clock to speed up games - D. Added a new "woke" verse to "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" that replaces "cracker jack" with "ethnic snacks" [Test your knowledge]( - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly and biweekly emails: • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Science Editors' Picks]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Politics Weekly]( • [Global Perspectives]( • [Global Economy & Business]( Trying out new social media? Follow us: • [Mastodon]( • [Post.news]( • [Instagram]( • [LinkedIn]( - - About The Conversation We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. 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