Oct 21, 2026 | Events Category
Plant Conservation Australia held a WA Priority Flora Workshop on 12 October 2026 at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attraction’s (DBCA) Keiran McNamara Conservation Science Centre in Perth. The aim of the workshop was to identify and begin scoping pilot project opportunities related to the conservation status assessment of Priority Flora in Western Australia, to facilitate threatened species listings or removals from the Priority Flora list.
Presenters included PCA committee member David Coates providing background, workshop objectives and future directions, various DBCA staff working in this area, Stephen van Leeuwen from Curtin University on Indigenous perspectives and Alicia Michael from Rio Tino providing an industry perspective. Thank you to DBCA, the Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute and Rio Tinto for supporting the workshop, and to everyone for their enthusiastic participation!
Background
The definition of Priority Flora in WA refers to native plant taxa that are potentially rare or threatened, but do not yet have formal legal status as Threatened Flora under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 . They are maintained on a special list by the DBCA to guide research, survey efforts, and environmental impact assessments.
The DBCA classifies Priority Flora into four main categories based on how well-known they are and their level of threat:
- Priority 1: Poorly-known species (few locations, no conservation lands)
- Known from very few locations (generally 5 or fewer).
- None of the populations are on lands managed for conservation (e.g., found on pastoral/agricultural land, road reserves, or active leases).
- Often under immediate threat of habitat loss or degradation.
- Priority 2: Poorly-known species (few locations, some on conservation lands)
- Known from very few locations (generally 5 or fewer).
- At least some populations are located on lands managed for conservation, though they still face potential risks.
- Priority 3: Poorly-known species (several locations)
- Known from several locations, some of which may be on conservation lands.
- The plant populations are spread out or not yet thoroughly surveyed, meaning more data is needed before they can be evaluated for a threatened listing.
- Priority 4: Rare, Near Threatened and monitored species
- Considered adequately surveyed and known.
- Do not currently meet the criteria to be listed as threatened, or have been recently removed from the threatened list.
- Require regular monitoring to ensure their status does not decline.
Oct 22, 2026 | Events Category
Over August and September 2026, Plant Conservation Australia brought together people working in threatened plant conservation for two workshops in Orbost and Horsham, as part of the Preventing Extinction of Victoria’s Threatened Flora project. This project is led by the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and is reaching its final stages after three years.You can learn more about the project to protect 24 different plant species across eastern and western Victoria here.
The workshops were an opportunity to hear directly from researchers and conservation practitioners about learnings from this research and how they are being translated into action. We heard from researchers at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and La Trobe University about genetics, pollination, seed science, horticulture, propagation, translocation and the role of mycorrhizae and rhizobia in threatened plant conservation. We also heard from Parks Victoria and the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action about the practical realities of conservation on the ground.
In Orbost, the day finished with a visit to Moogji Nursery and learning about Moogji Aboriginal Council’s threatened plant work and we had the chance to see the nursery in action. In Horsham we heard from Elizabeth Mace from Dalki Garinga Native Nursery which is overseen by Barengi Gadjin Land Council about their work in conservation across the region.
Across both workshops, conversations turned to the future: what are the gaps in our knowledge and capacity? Where are the opportunities for collaboration? What action is needed, and how can we better coordinate and resource it?
The discussions highlighted the value of bringing researchers, land managers, Traditional Owners, community conservation groups and others together — because preventing extinction takes more than good science. It takes connection, collaboration and collective action.
Oct 22, 2026 | Events Category
Plant Conservation Australia delivered a one-day Threatened Plant Translocation Workshop at Charles Sturt University in Albury on 18 June 2026, facilitated by PCA Project Manager Caitlin Griffith. It formed part of the two-day Mallee to the Mountains – Securing Threatened Species and Ecosystems in South West NSW Forum, led by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
The workshop brought together around 30 conservation practitioners, researchers and government staff to explore what it takes to plan and deliver successful threatened plant translocations. Participants heard from leading experts in genetics, ecology, policy and on-ground conservation, with engaging case studies showcasing lessons learned from translocation projects across Australia. Download the Workshop Program here.
The day concluded with a hands-on planning exercise, giving participants the opportunity to apply their learning and exchange ideas with colleagues from across the conservation sector.
The workshop was built around the Guidelines for the Translocation of Threatened Plants in Australia, available on the Plant Conservation Australia website. If your organisation is interested in building knowledge and skills in threatened plant translocation, Plant Conservation Australia can also deliver this workshop in person or online for your team. Get in touch with us to learn more.
Aug 20, 2026 | News
Introducing our newest staff member – Dr Jules Freeman! Jules is the new Recovery Action Coordinator for Plant Conservation Australia’s Myrtle Rust program and is leading the development of a draft resistance breeding strategy for Myrtle Rust-impacted species.
Jules is a research scientist specialising in plant genetics, with expertise spanning genomics, quantitative genetics and the genetic basis of trait variation in native and production forests. Over more than two decades, he has undertaken research across Australia and New Zealand, ranging from fundamental genetics to breeding approaches for forest and native tree species.
Since 2012, Jules has contributed to research on Myrtle Rust (Austropuccinia psidii), investigating the genetic basis of host resistance and assessing resistance breeding options for threatened and ecologically important Myrtaceae. He has collaborated with government agencies, research organisations and other partners on initiatives spanning conservation, biosecurity and forest health.
At Plant Conservation Australia, Jules will work with government agencies, researchers, botanic gardens and conservation partners to support coordinated recovery efforts for Myrtle Rust-affected species. For those attending APCC15, Jules will be presenting on Tuesday afternoon with a talk titled: “From genetic variation to resistance breeding: lessons from myrtle rust in Australia and New Zealand”.
Aug 7, 2026 | Events Category
There’s only a few weeks to go before APCC15 in Port Douglas, and this coming week is the final week for registrations to attend in person – registrations for virtual attendance will stay open up until the start of the conference.
This is your final chance to get the full APCC15 experience in Queensland’s spectacular Wet Tropics. The deadline will not be extended.
We’ve got a packed lineup of presentations as you can see in our preliminary program – now available online.
Get in quick before the registration deadline of 14 August.
Hope to see you there!
