What We Do
“Not only is sustainable energy about solar, wind, geothermal, and so forth, but about each of us doing our part to plant, tend, and grow our community-our plot of planet Earth. I am so grateful that so many others in SEEDS have kept on planting, tending, and growing.”
“In all my years of volunteering and activism, working with SEEDS has been the most rewarding. It is so satisfying to be a part of such a dynamic group of dedicated people working in a sociocratic way to achieve our goals. It has renewed my faith that we can and are making progress towards a sustainable community and world.”
SEEDS Launches a New 5‑Year Strategic Plan
SEEDS is excited to share a new 2026–2030 Strategic Plan that looks ahead to the future of sustainability in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Approved by the Board in March 2026, the plan reflects input from community members, volunteers, and supporters, and responds to growing local needs—from rising energy costs to increased interest in practical, everyday sustainability solutions.
Over the next five years, SEEDS will focus on strengthening the organization behind the scenes, expanding outreach to new communities and younger voices, and offering programs that connect sustainability with real‑life economic and environmental challenges. This plan helps ensure SEEDS remains a trusted, accessible resource for our region—today and into the future. To read the entire plan click here
Get involved: Attend an event, volunteer your time, share your ideas, or support SEEDS as we work together to build a more resilient and sustainable community.
Awards & Achievements
For over a decade and a half SEEDS has been working hard to create a better world by providing Northeast PA with resources, education and more about clean energy, eco-friendly solutions and charitable donations. We have been honored throughout the years by numerous local and regional awards.
Governance
Governance
Nominations/Minutes
SEEDS hosts an Annual Meeting each fall to review the year and the annual elections are held at this time. Attendees to this meeting can participate in the voting process and make your voice heard in our organization.
Duties of Board Members, as defined in our bylaws, are the following:
a. The Chairperson shall preside over meetings of the organization and call any special meetings that may be necessary.
b. The Assistant Chairperson shall fulfill the duties of the Chairperson in the Chairperson’s absence.
c. The Secretary shall keep the minutes and records of the organization, file any certificates required by any statute, and be the official custodian of the records, send out formal meeting notices to members, and send any official correspondence as deemed appropriate by the Board.
d. The Board Members-at-Large shall lend their knowledge, energies, and wisdom to the effective management of the organization.
For additional information or questions, please contact our Development Director Michele Long at director@SeedsGroup.net or call (570) 245–1256.
Sensitive Topics
The need for a policy on our handling of sensitive topics was identified during the strategic planning process in 2019. The policy was updated in June 2026 to correspond with our bylaws and include a definition of a sensitive topic. A critical component of the policy is the statement of SEEDS’ values related to sensitive topics:
• Sensitive topics will be addressed in a manner that is respectful of all opinions and positions
• SEEDS commits to looking at all sides of sensitive issues
• SEEDS believes in a “fact-based” approach to issues and will promote education on sensitive issues
Sensitive Topics Policy – SEEDS
New Bylaws
At its meeting on August 11, 2025 the SEEDS board approved a proposed change to the bylaws that governs how SEEDS operates. These changes were approved at the October 2025 Annual Meeting.
Please feel free to submit any questions or concerns to the SEEDS Board by emailing us at: info@seedsgroup.net
Click here to read our new bylaws.
Planned Giving
Your gift now can make a big impact to the sustainability of SEEDS. When you include SEEDS in your estate plan, your generosity touches lives of our community. Your support ensures SEEDS remains strong into the future. SEEDS has developed some simple guidelines to assist in your decision-making process. Please contact the SEEDS Development Director at director@seedsgroup.net to take the next step.
Become a Volunteer
Consider lending your time to SEEDS!
We welcome new members, volunteers, and ideas. Join us if you would like to help SEEDS continue to grow. You don’t have to be an expert in sustainable energy to be of service.
We are seeking individuals who wish to help our mission by donating a couple of hours virtually or in the office each week, by helping us coordinate forums, workshops, and fundraiser parties, or by being our member/volunteer coordinator.
Contact info@seedsgroup.net or call (570) 245–1256 to learn more.
Book Share Volunteers
The 15th annual Free Book Share is on September 19th – 20th, 2026!
Each fall SEEDS coordinates the Annual Book Share. To volunteer for any of the following tasks, please contact Jess at info@seedsgroup.net.
Borrow or Donate!
We need lumber/boards between 4′-8′ lengths for shelving!
We need milk crates!
Donate reusable bags!
Funding
Our organization is mostly funded by members/donors and local businesses. We are fortunate to have also received funding from The John and Helen Villaume Foundation, Clif Bar Family Foundation, Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, The Wayne County Community Foundation, PPL, The Arcadia Foundation, PA’s Department of Environmental Protection, Wayne/Susquehanna R.E.S.C.U.E., The Overlook Estate Foundation and the Greater Pike Community Foundation.
Collaborations
SEEDS continues to work closely with more than 15 local organizations in northeastern Pennsylvania including:
| Habitat for Humanity of Wayne County | Highlights Foundation | Delaware Highlands Conservancy |
| Northampton Community College | Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance | Non-Profit and Community Assistance Center |
| PASA Pennsylvania Assoc. for Sustainable Agriculture | Pike County Conservation District | Lacawac Sanctuary |
| PPL Electric Utilities | Pocono Northeast Resource Conservation & Development Council of USDA | Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center |
| Wayne County Conservation District | Wayne County Library System | Workforce Alliance |
| Pike and Wayne County Cooperative Extension offices | Wayne County Community Foundation | Wayne Tomorrow |
SEEDS also works with PPL’s E-Power Solutions (a rebate program) team and often co-sponsors events that share energy efficiency information as well as the PPL rebates and incentives available to commercial and residential customers.
SEEDS is also a member of Pike Wayne Conservation Partnership, an alliance of government, non-government, nonprofit, and grassroots organizations with shared goals for natural-resource conservation, sustainable communities and citizen involvement in community planning.