There is a shortage of wildflowers in the Swedish agricultural landscape, which are important for pollinators such as butterflies and other insects. But those who want to help nature and establish their own meadow may encounter a patrol – there is indeed a shortage of seeds of wild meadow plants adapted to different regions.
There are a huge number of farmers who are interested in sowing flowering plants on their field edges and certain fields. Then it is important that the availability of meadow seeds increases, says Jenny Jewert at the World Nature Fund WWF.
She coordinates a project – where WWF, together with the Swedish Botanical Association and the company Pratensis, is trying to remedy the problem. The project is three-year and financed by the Board of Agriculture.
Sweden is divided into six regional zones, where a network of seed collectors will be engaged and trained to collect high-quality seeds "in an ethical manner".
You get compensation for the time you spend collecting. There is an opportunity for a fun summer job here, says Jewert.
