What should I do with my milkweed seeds?

If you have extra native milkweed seeds that you would like to share, here are some considerations: 

1. Native milkweeds need to undergo cold/moist stratification or vernalization before they are able to germinate, so if you are sharing your seeds with others, make sure that you let them know the status of this so they know how to prepare or store the seeds prior to planting.
2. This MJV FAQ and this article from the Native Plant Society of Texas discuss how to harvest milkweed seeds. 
3. To build habitat connectivity for monarchs and other pollinators, offer your local, native milkweed or nectar plant seeds to friends and neighbors and encourage them to plant pollinator habitat. 
4. To help strengthen commercial milkweed availability, connect with local native plant or seed vendors who may be interested in your seeds. 
5. Connect with various community groups or chapters who own or have access to land where seeds may be put to good use. These include but are not limited to Pheasants Forever, Wild Ones, Master Gardeners/Naturalists, Extension programs, golf courses, archery or gun clubs, parks, schools, natural resources groups (soil and water conservation districts, etc.),  
6. The Milkweed Market can use your native seeds. This program collects donated milkweed seeds and grows regionally appropriate milkweed plugs, which they distribute back to the region the seeds originated.
7. Contribute to the national seed bank by participating in the Bureau of Land Management's Seeds of Success program. For more information about the national seed strategy, you can view the 2015 document here.     

Remember, the best thing you can do with your seeds is to plant them locally!