(Harris County, TX – December 23, 2025) - Just in time for the holiday season, Harris County is offering residents something that keeps on growing. The
Harris County Office of County Administration’s Sustainability Division (OCA Sustainability), in partnership with
Harris County Public Library (HCPL), is excited to announce the launch of the
Seed Library Program, a countywide initiative bringing
free seed library kits to all 27 HCPL branch locations by the end of 2025!
“Seed libraries are about making climate action easy, welcoming, and local,”
said Lisa Lin, Director of the Harris County Office of Sustainability, OCA. “By offering free seeds through our libraries, we’re giving residents a simple way to care for the land, support wildlife, and build a more resilient Harris County—one yard, one balcony, and one seed at a time.”
This holiday season brings more than treats. Library patrons will be able to take home some
Texas native grass seeds - no green thumb required. The Seed Library Program invites residents to plant at home, share with neighbors, and grow a greener Harris County together.
A Stocking Stuffed with Texas Native Seeds To kick off the program, six 60-pound bags of native grass seed mix were provided, featuring Buffalograss, Blue Grama, and Sideoats Grama, Texas-tough plants that are heat and drought-tolerant, and low-maintenance.
It Takes a Village (and a Garden Crew!) Seed libraries are rooted in collaboration between OCA Sustainability and HCPL, with support from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and some dedicated Master Gardeners, who have already been hard at work helping prepare seed kits.
“Sustainability is a core part of how Harris County Public Library serves its community,” said
Laura Smith, HCPL's Sustainability Team Lead. “By offering native grass seeds at all 27 locations, we’re helping ideas grow in a very real way—expanding access to resources that support local ecosystems, building long-term community resilience, and empowering residents to care for their communities right where they live.”
Where Stories Take Root - Where: All 27 Harris County Public Library branch locations
- When: Seed library kits arriving NOW through the end of 2025!
The Seed Library Program is an early action of the Harris County Climate Justice Plan, helping make climate solutions easy, local, and accessible. By increasing access to Texas native plants, the program supports:
Healthier wildlife habitats
Natural flood mitigation
Stronger, more resilient ecosystems
Whether you’re dreaming of a backyard prairie, a balcony garden, or want to try something new in the new year, seed libraries make it easy to get started and to give back by sharing seeds with your community.
New Year, New Growth As we head into the holidays, the Seed Library Program reminds us that even small actions can bloom into something big. Because when we plant together, we grow together.
Learn more about HCPL’s seed libraries and gardening resources at hcpl.net, and explore the seed library movement at seedlibrarynetwork.org. From all of us at Harris County, happy holidays, and happy planting!
About the Harris County Public Library: Harris County Public Library (HCPL) enriches lives to strengthen communities. HCPL has an annual circulation of nearly 14 million items and consistently ranks in the top ten worldwide for digital circulation. HCPL is a network of 27 community-focused branch libraries offering programs and services that nurture literacy and lifelong learning for all ages. HCPL was awarded the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation's highest honor for libraries. The library is committed to providing excellent customer service, strong collections, and cutting-edge information technology for the 21st Century. Visit www.hcpl.net for more information.