Check it out: Seed libraries are sprouting up all over Southern California.

The intent is to promote gardening and to “plant-it-forward” by preserving seeds either native to Southern California or ones adapted to its environment.

One of the newest is the San Bernardino County Regional Seed Library at the Chino Basin Water Conservation District in Montclair. Here, visitors learn how to obtain seeds for flowers, fruits, vegetables and more. A key component is returning seeds, so the process continues to expand and grow.

“We’re interested in germination quality, yield and any other information that helps with categorizing the seeds,” said Dona Jenkins, with the UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of San Bernardino County. “Any and all seeds are welcome, but we are focusing on edible ones and those from pollinator plants.

“This is exciting, but not new. It’s what people used to do and is important today because we have lost 94 percent of our diversity with seeds.”

Climate and environmental changes throughout the years affects gardens and seed production, she added. “There are such climate extremes these days, that it’s important to save and use seeds that have adjusted and adapted to their local surroundings. And for us, it’s also beneficial to have seeds from the location area of a seed library.”

San Bernardino County is the largest county in the nation with vast differences in climate, soil and planting conditions. The goal is to have other seed libraries established one day in different parts of the county that cater to each environment: valleys, mountains and deserts.

Keeping local gardens and their owners happy and healthy is an integral part of work down at the Chino Basin Water Conservation District.

“Residents already know our water conservation center as a regional hub for education and inspiration about sustainable, low-water landscapes and gardens,” said Scott Kleinrock, manager of the conservation programs. “We focus on home gardening adapted to our region. We want people to have whatever they want and to do it efficiently with plenty of choices. It’s great to work with the master gardeners who have the huge overlap with that mission.”

So having the seed library on site is a natural fit. The San Bernardino County Regional Seed Library, located within the Landscape Design Room at the CBWCD’s center, is a collaborative effort between the UC Davis’ San Bernardino Master Gardener Program and the CBWCD.

It joins a growing list of similar depositories throughout Southern California. The granddaddy of them all — the Seed Library of Los Angeles ­— has been operating since 2010.

David King, founding chairman of the Seed Library of Los Angeles, said the process is simple but requires two characteristics that aren’t always in large supply: a keen sense of observation and patience.

“Each library will save more seeds than us,” he said. “If everyone saves a few, that’s an ideal to having this whole thing work. We’ve helped other libraries get started and the more there are the better.”

But, he added, there is a distinction.

“Some people think SLOLA and seed libraries are places to get free seeds, but what we really want is for people to bring their seeds back. If the process is done correctly, there will be ample seed selections every year and the best fruits and vegetables from each plant that have adapted to our climate.”

SLOLA deals exclusively with nonhybrid food plants. The library also is meant to be a resource center to promote local reproducible food plants. Lifetime membership is $10.

The scope and scale of each seed library may differ, but the goals are the same. The process encourages biodiversity, promotes regionally appropriate seeds, and helps residents save money on seeds.

After each growing season ends, seed library patrons are asked to harvest extra seeds and return them. It’s pretty simple but very important.

What kinds of seeds are these libraries looking for? Edible plant seeds, seeds from pollinator plants, “native” ones as opposed to “wild” ones secured from someone’s yard and any that capture one’s eye (no marijuana ones, though).

Put dry seeds in a sealed envelope and return.

Seed libraries

San Bernardino County Regional Seed Library

When: Checkout hours 1-3 p.m. Saturday; check-in hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays.

Classes: DIY seed bombs and seed paper, noon to 2 p.m. today ; saving your best tomato seeds, noon to 1 p.m. June 24

Where: Chino Basin Water Conservation District, 4594 San Bernardino St., Montclair

Cost: Free

Information: 909-626-2711, www.cbwcd.org.

Seed Library of Los Angeles

What: Monthly classes, discussions and how-to videos while promoting home and community sharing

When: 2-4:30 p.m., May 20

Where: The Learning Garden, Venice High School campus, 13000 Venice Blvd., Venice

Admission: $10 lifetime membership

Information: slola.org

OTHER Resources

Heirloom Seed Library, Long Beach: seedlibrary.lbgrows.org/Heirloom_Seed_Library/Welcome.html

Huntington Beach Public Library seed library: www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/government/departments/library/hours_location/central_library.cfm

The Seed Library of Orange: orangehomegrown.org/community/seed-lending-library

Yorba Linda Public Library: www.ylpl.net/specialcollections/seed-library