As Director of the Bureau of Land Management, I am privileged to present this special issue of the Natural Areas Journal focusing on public land restoration in a changing climate. These 18 research and conservation issue articles offer case studies of how to address threats posed to Western landscapes by prolonged drought, wildfire, and the spread of invasive species.

As the nation's largest land manager, we rely on good science and strong partnerships to guide us in our day-to-day decisions in managing across the extraordinary diversity that comprises our 245 million acres of public lands — from high desert and tundra to forests and alpine meadows. Native seeds are central to this effort as we work to restore and rehabilitate these fragile landscapes.

Last June, we convened the 2014 Seed Conference to launch a broad-based effort with federal, state, and local partners to develop a National Seed Strategy and Implementation Plan that will identify key steps in achieving healthy, productive plant communities in a changing climate. Key to this effort will be identifying genetically appropriate seeds and addressing native seed production. We look forward to continuing to work with our many partners on a final Strategy that will be available in 2015.

We are grateful to our long-term partner, the Natural Areas Association, for its continuing efforts in support of the development and use of native seeds in building resilient native plant communities. I hope you enjoy this special issue, sponsored by the BLM, which is dedicated to using the right seed in the right place at the right time!