Buy a mini seed bank and learn about seed conservation

Conservation and seed banking are now on the National Curriculum. Their inclusion is a response to the global importance of habitat loss and species extinction. Designed for use in schools, colleges and the home, our mini seed bank enables you to start your own seed conservation projects and learn about the critical processes of seed banking.

Kew's mini seed bank is a great way to learn about the importance of seed banking and the processes used.

Scientists working at Kew's Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst Place in West Sussex have updated the 'mini seed bank'.

Arising from their continuing studies into improved seed conservation technology, the Technology team at Kew's Millennium Seed Bank have developed a kit that will enable people to collect, process, dry and store seeds (including purchased seed) following a simple set of instructions that follow the same principles adopted by large scale seed banks.

Mini seed bank pack

The mini seed bank pack

The main components of our mini seed bank kit are a high quality polythene box that acts both as a drying chamber and as the 'seed bank' at the end of the season, and a reusable desiccant with coloured moisture indicator, for drying the seeds. Also included are ingenious colour indicator sachets that monitor the seed drying process and ensures the seeds are stored under optimal conditions.

Inspire your class

Conservation and seed banking are now on the National Curriculum. Their inclusion is a response to the global importance of habitat loss and species extinction. This has been recognised by national governments in treaties such as the Convention on Biological Diversity.

For schools and colleges with their own gardens or conservation areas, the new mini seed bank will enable teachers to develop their own seed conservation projects involving each of the critical processes used in a professional seed bank. The kit is supplied with a simple set of instructions that describe how it can be used for Collecting, Processing, Drying and Storage of seeds for future use.

Resources

The new mini seed bank, in conjunction with online resources at Kew's Great Plant Hunt, an exciting national science project for schools. The Great Plant Hunt invites teachers and young people to follow in Darwins footsteps and get involved in all aspects of plants and plant conservation.