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SOURCE ID NATIVE SEED IN THE WILD WILD WEST It has been quite a few years since the development of the source ID certification program. Initially this was a way to insure that native collections of shrub seeds that were being used in reclamation in the western US were a naturally growing population occurring in a known or defined geographic area and that these seeds did indeed originate from the indicated location. Fast forward to today and we see the source ID certification program has morphed to include native collections of grasses and wildflower seed that are collected and then grown under irrigation with no testing conducted before they are sold. The seeds are then sold and used in reclamation projects in the western US. Prices paid for these source ID species are often several times higher than what cultivars of these same species that were developed at the Plant Materials Centers. People with little or no training are collecting seeds and turning them into certified source ID seed stocks. There is speculation within the seed industry as to whether many of these did originate from the indicated location and whether they are a naturally growing population or something that was introduced over time. In many states there is not adequate regulatory oversight. Is there peer reviewed science that would justify the use of these source ID native species? There are people in the seed industry that believe that some native seeds don't fall under the Federal Seed Act, and they are not required to provide seed tests for those seeds that have been native collected. I think that it is time to take a look at the whole system. Admitting what we have problems, identifying the problems that exist and fixing what needs to be fixed. If we don't take these steps it will continue to be business as usual in the wild wild west.