Sep 20, 2021 | News
The second edition of the Florabank Guidelines – best practice guidelines for native seed collection and use are now online and are available to download for free from the Florabank website. The Florabank Guidelines are essential reading for anyone that works with native seed in any capacity from research to restoration, planting to policy and everything in between. This includes bush regeneration, tree planting, mine rehabilitation and landcare.
The Guidelines contain 15 modules which follow the native seed supply chain from collection, through processing to propagation and planting. To better support the whole of the seed supply chain, this update includes additional information on working with Indigenous Australians, approvals, record keeping, and tips for seed purchasers. ANPC Project Manager, Dr Lucy Commander, would like to thank the team of over 40 national and international collaborators who generously provided their time and expertise to update the Guidelines, and also those who reviewed the content.
This revision was part of the Healthy Seeds Project funded by the NSW Environmental Trust and managed by the Australian Network for Plant Conservation (ANPC) Inc. The Florabank Consortium includes ANPC, Australian National Botanic Gardens, CSIRO and Greening Australia.
Aug 25, 2021 | News
The ANPC has been working with the Australian Seed Bank Partnership (ASBP) on its project ‘Banking on seeds for bushfire recovery.’ The project aims to limit the decline of 25 Australian plant species from areas affected by the 2019-2020 bushfires. This project included extensive activities in seed collection, reintroductions and germination trials. The ANPC prepared various communication materials to share the findings of this project. You can download the plant slideshow and the six fact sheets on species that were part of the project here.
Aug 25, 2021 | News, Uncategorized
The ANPC are very excited to announce the upcoming launch of the third edition of ‘Plant Germplasm Conservation in Australia – strategies and guidelines for developing, managing and utilising ex situ collections’ (also known as the Germplasm Guidelines) edited by ANPC Project Manager Dr Amelia Martyn Yenson. The launch will be held on Tuesday 7 September during the online Australasian Seed Science Conference. Join the launch to discover why this best-practice handbook is so important for plant conservation in Australia, what new content has been added, and how you can use the Guidelines in your work.
We also warmly invite everyone to the Australian Academy of Science Fenner Conference on the Environment: Exceptional times, exceptional plants. The conference will include presentations and a panel session on identifying and conserving non-orthodox species. It will also provide an opportunity to strengthen partnerships and interact with experts online. This event will be held on Thursday 9 September 2021 and is free to join, even if you are not attending the Australasian Seed Science Conference. Register now here.
Aug 25, 2021 | News
The ANPC has helped Greening Australia reach a huge milestone in Project Phoenix. This project aims to have the seed sector come together and develop the 10-year Native Seed and Landscape Restoration Strategy for Australia. ANPC Project Manager, Dr Martin Driver, has been participating at Project Phoenix steering committee meetings, and reviewing reports and the strategy. Project Manager, Dr Lucy Commander has written three reports which inform the strategy. All 24 reports which inform the strategy are available to the public at this link. On this page you will also find a link to comment on the draft Strategy. Everyone with an interest in the future of native seed management in Australia is invited to have their say. Be quick, submissions close Monday 2 August 2021.
Aug 27, 2021 | News
An opportunity has arisen to work with the ANPC. We are looking for a Communications Manager who will undertake the communications and conference management functions in the national office of the ANPC and liaise with ANPC members, partner organisations, funding organisations and sponsors.
The position is based at the ANPC office in Canberra, within the beautiful Australian National Botanic Gardens, Acton, ACT – although remote location may be considered for the exceptional candidate. (Working from home may also be required due to COVID-19 restrictions until the office re-opens.)
The is a casual position of approximately 21 hrs per week with flexible days and hours, for a period of 18 months with the possibility of extension. Remuneration is $41.00 per hour.
Please download the position description and email your application to the ANPC’s Business Manager Jo Lynch. Applications close Friday 10 September 2021.
Jul 7, 2021 | News
On Thursday 17 June, ANPC Project Manager Dr Lucy Commander was asked by Perth NRM to give a seminar on seed collection. Lucy provided an overview of the new edition of the Florabank Guidelines, which outlines best practice native seed collection and use, as well as the Guidelines for the Translocation of Threatened Plants in Australia and a case study from her previous work restoring a Threatened Ecological Community. The seminar was fully booked, and well received, with attendees indicating that the seminar increased their knowledge about seeds and that they would share their new knowledge with colleagues and the community.
