When you envision a vault, you might think of a secret, underground room housing jewels and treasures, or the heavy, steel door of a bank vault, secured by intricate locks. But did you know that the University of Washington is home to a seed vault whose sole purpose is to protect and conserve rare native plants? The Miller Seed Vault is nestled in the UW Center For Urban Horticulture and is one of only three vaults of its kind in the United States and Canada.

The Miller Seed Vault may look like any other unassuming campus office. But the climate-controlled vault is kept at 57 degrees, is reinforced for earthquake protection, and can withstand fire for four hours.
University Of Washington Botanic Gardens
The purpose of this state-of-the-art facility is to store rare seeds in an ideal environment for conservation in the event of a catastrophic disaster. The Miller Seed Vault is part of the Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation Program.
University Of Washington Botanic Gardens
Scientists and volunteers at the Miller Seed Vault work together to preserve and restore endangered plant species.
University Of Washington Botanic Gardens
Seeds from endangered or at-risk plants are collected in such a way as to leave native plants unaffected. The seeds are then cleaned, counted, and stored in freezers in the event that their plant species die.
University Of Washington Botanic Gardens

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The Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation program is made possible by the steadfast work of faculty, students, and volunteers who put in their time in all aspects of plant conservation.
University Of Washington Botanic Gardens
Rare Care offers volunteer training in rare plant monitoring, seed collecting, and other horticulture projects.
University Of Washington Botanic Gardens
Rare Care has added more than 150 rare, native species to the vault since 2003, adding an average of 17 new collections every year.
University Of Washington Botanic Gardens
Visitors are welcome to learn about plant conservation with a free tour of the vault.
University Of Washington Botanic Gardens

If you’re interested in learning about plant conservation in Washington, schedule a tour of the Miller Seed Vault by emailing rarecare@uw.edu  or calling 206-616-0780. Have you ever heard of the Miller Seed Vault? Have you visited the facility? Tell us about it in the comments. To see some of the state’s most beautiful flowers in bloom, be sure to check out these nine gardens in Washington.

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Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 NE 41st St, Seattle, WA 98105, USA