Seeds of time

A discreet, grass-covered building blends into the landscape of Wakehurst, Sussex, in southern England. Underground, however, lies one of the planet's most valuable treasures: 2.5 billion seeds, collected from more than 40,000 wild plant species. They are capsules of life, wrapped in silence and cold. A living archive that not only protects the past, but also invests in the future.

This is the heart of the Millennium Seed Bank (MSB), an initiative of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, which this month celebrates 25 years of unprecedented global conservation, scientific research, and international cooperation. Opened in 2000 by the then Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, the MSB was born with a clear mission: to prevent plant extinction and conserve the world's plant diversity for future generations. Habitat loss, deforestation, and climate change threaten thousands of plant species daily. Today, it is estimated that nearly half of the world's flowering plants are threatened with extinction.

The bank acts as a kind of plant ark. In its underground chambers, the seeds are stored at -20°C, in optimal conditions for their preservation for decades or even centuries. But this is not a botanical museum, but a living laboratory of solutions.

The Bank's success would not be possible without a massive collaboration: 279 partners in 100 countries have joined forces to collect, identify, and conserve species from around the globe. From the tropical forests of Madagascar to the deserts of Mexico, from the foothills of the Caucasus to the Swedish Arctic, the MSB has worked on more than 100 restoration projects over the past ten years.

The process is not simple. Collecting seeds requires a deep understanding of biological cycles, ecosystems, and, above all, an ethical commitment to local communities and traditional knowledge. Kew scientists educate, train, and collaborate with botanists, farmers, and community leaders in the areas where the seeds are collected. It is a profoundly human science.

To commemorate its anniversary, the Bank has launched a new podcast titled "Unearthed: The Need for Seeds," hosted by Cate Blanchett, an actress and environmental activist who serves as a Wakehurst ambassador. In the series, Blanchett speaks with experts, collectors, and scientists, exploring the value of seeds and their potential to combat ecological crises.

Naturalist David Attenborough also joined the tribute. While filming his series The Green Planet, he marveled at the bank's collections and remarked, "Each one of them represents a small grain of hope." A phrase that, although poetic, sums up the MSB's philosophy: the seed is, literally, the promise of tomorrow.

But the anniversary isn't just a look back. It's, above all, a push toward the future. Kew has launched the Seeds for the Future Fund, with the ambitious goal of raising £30 million to sustain and expand its scientific work over the next 25 years. The appeal is global, reaching beyond major donors: anyone can contribute, learn, visit the bank, or even listen to the podcast and share it.

The following day, October 22, an international roundtable will be held in Wakehurst, where experts will discuss how seeds can drive nature-based solutions to the two major crises of the 21st century: climate change and biodiversity loss.

Although the bank is often described as an "insurance policy" for plants, its managers want to make it clear that it is not simply an emergency archive. The collection is used daily in cutting-edge research projects: from seed cryopreservation to the development of new germination protocols, the design of strategies for adapting to extreme climates, and the active restoration of degraded ecosystems.

In Sierra Leone, for example, seeds stored at the MSB have been used to restore tropical forests threatened by mining. In Madagascar, medicinal plants rescued from the brink of extinction are now being studied as potential treatments. And in the United Kingdom, collections are helping to restore habitats for endangered native pollinators.

Behind every seed lies a story. A landscape, a species, a relationship with other living beings. But there's also a question: what world do we want to inherit?

At a time when headlines are filled with catastrophes, wars, and ecological collapse, the work of the Millennium Seed Bank may seem humble, even invisible. However, it is exactly the opposite. It is one of the most audacious scientific initiatives of the 21st century. Because it looks not only at the urgent, but at the essential. Saving a seed is, in itself, an act of faith. Faith in science. In cooperation. In life.

In addition, the MSB offers the opportunity to visit its facilities in Wakehurst, where visitors can view some of the collections, learn about conservation methods, and discover the work of scientists who, day in and day out, fight for a greener planet. But you can also participate remotely: with donations, outreach, and education. Knowledge and awareness are as vital as the seed itself.

In the era of the Anthropocene, where every human decision has global consequences, the Millennium Seed Bank represents a lesson in humility and a call to action. As in ancient tales, every great journey begins with a seed. And the one planted by Kew, Wakehurst, and their partners is one of the most extraordinary yet.