Nov 3, 2023 | News
The extended Myrtle Rust Project funded by NSW Department of Planning and Environment is progressing well. Coordinated by ANPC Project Manager Chantelle Doyle since June 2023, the project has so far achieved the following:
- Dispersal of 10 additional Native Guava (Rhodomyrtus psidioides) plants and lineages to 3 partner gardens to supplement the existing ex situ
- Dispersal of 13 Scrub Turpentine (Rhodamnia rubescens) plants and lineages to 3 partner gardens.
- New partner Booderee Botanic Gardens has joined the project group.
- Five collaborative partner meetings have been held, with much discussion on managing the collections, along with informative presentations from key researchers at Botanic Gardens of Sydney: Dr Manueal Cascini outlining the status of genetic analysis Rhodamnia maideniana and Dr Jason Bragg on Myrtle Rust resistance in Rhodamnia rubescens.
- Continued collation of dispersal data.
- Epicollect monitoring of the ex situ collections is ongoing and has been streamlined for ease of use. All gardens can now access the raw data and export for their personal records (training undertaken by DPE’s Craig Stehn)
- Additional collection of germplasm and genetic material from healthy psidioides appearing in response to drying climate.
- Additional collection of genetic material from healthy maideniana and R. whiteana plants observed in the field being sent to Dr Manuela Cascini for additional genetic analysis.
- Collection of Rhodamnia and Rhodomyrtus fruit being sent to Dr Karen Sommerville for storage and viability testing.
- Planning future co-facilitated ANPC/BCARM practitioner meetings for managing Myrtle Rust impacted collections.
- An outreach flyer has been developed outlining the project background and aims, for the general public when visiting the ex situ collections and which can be used for guided walks.
- Botanic Gardens of Sydney blog on how ‘genetics is helping to save plant species decimated by myrtle rust’ dated 28 July 2023.
See more here:
https://www.anpc.asn.au/news/myrtle-rust-project-extension/
Oct 13, 2023 | News
This rose-pink spider orchid is critically endangered and restricted to only a few sites in the north-east suburbs of Melbourne. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (RBGV) scientists have been busy surveying remnant and translocated populations and collecting genetic samples as part of the ‘Preventing the extinction of Victoria’s threatened flora program’. The genetic analysis will help guide strategic cross-pollination to produce more genetically diverse seed both for long term storage and to supply new plants for further reintroductions into the wild.
Supplied: Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
Pollination surveys are also underway, with scientists using nursery grown plants to attract the pollinator, a native bee in the genus Leioproctus. Identifying the presence of the key pollinator in potential translocation sites is a crucial step in site selection suitability, as Caladenia rosella plants will not set seed and regenerate at a site if it is absent.
Supplied: Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
The ‘Preventing the extinction of Victoria’s threatened flora’ project is led by Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria in partnership with La Trobe University, Australian Network for Plant Conservation, DEECA, Trust for Nature, ENVITE, Bairnsdale & District Field Naturalists Club, Friends of the Grampians Gariwerd, Wimmera CMA, Nillumbik Shire, Halls Gap Botanic Gardens and the Australasian Native Orchid Society Victorian Branch.
This project is funded by the Victorian Government Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action Nature Fund.
Sep 15, 2023 | News
Conservation seedbanks maintain collections of many seed-bearing plant species, providing propagation material and data to support management of wild populations. But some plant species produce seeds that are difficult to collect, dry, store and utilise; collectively recognised as ‘exceptional’ species.
In this paper recently published by ANPC, Australian Seed Bank Partnership, and their collaborators in the journal Plants, People, Planet, we test a framework for identifying exceptional species within the Australian flora.
Our expert working group document examples and case studies for each ‘Exceptionality Factor’. We also want to make it easier for conservation practitioners to recognise exceptional species and work around the challenges they present, so the paper includes a workflow that may be used to identify additional exceptional species, and direct efforts to establish appropriate collection types.
Read the paper here: Ex situ germplasm collections of exceptional species are a vital part of the conservation of Australia’s national plant treasures
This work was co-authored by researchers from The Botanic Gardens of Sydney, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Kings Park and Botanic Garden, the Western Australia Seed Centre, WA Parks and Wildlife Service, CSIRO, The University of WA, Alcoa Australia, and the Australian Academy of Science.
Sep 7, 2023 | News
Recordings are now available for the ‘FLORA AFTER FIRE – winners, losers and lessons‘ online symposium held on Wednesday 16 August in collaboration with the Centre for Ecosystem Science, UNSW. Watch the presentations on Youtube HERE
The presentations cover the following three themes, with a special emphasis on Black Summer impacts and recovery
– plant and fire relationships
– impacts and observations (case studies)
– lessons and actions moving forward
Oct 20, 2023 | News
Are you interested in a volunteer role that would help you build connections and networks in plant conservation? A role which would enhance your science communication skills and help build your exposure and expertise in the field?
The ANPC is looking for a new editor for Australasian Plant Conservation. This quarterly conservation bulletin acts as an information exchange between researchers, managers, and practitioners in the field. While it is edited to a high standard, it is not a ‘peer-reviewed’ journal, and thus is a comparatively simple platform for information to be shared. It is distributed to a readership of botanic gardens, NGOs, government, NRM organisations and industry peak bodies, along with as diverse and passionate individual readership.
To learn more about APC – click here.
About the role:
This ideally 2-3 year (but flexible) role largely involves planning issue themes and topics, liaising with authors, as well as outreach to source articles. No design skills are required, but some editing experience would be helpful. The editor would be assisted by several assistant editors and ANPC office support staff, who would help with sourcing and proofreading articles.
If you think this role may be right for you or someone you know, please feel to share or contact us via email at anpc@anpc.asn.au or call +61 (0)2 6250 9509.
Oct 12, 2023 | News
Are you involved in plant conservation?
Interested in a role where you can help guide the ANPC’s strategic and project directions?
Nominations are now open for the following positions on the ANPC Inc. Committee of Management:
- President
- Vice-President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Ordinary members (6 positions)
Nominees for the above positions must complete the Committee Nomination Form. Nominations must specify the position being sought. More information on the roles and responsibilities of each position can be downloaded here. For clarification of the duties of the positions, or of the membership status of nominees or nominators, please contact the Secretary Robert Hawes well before the deadline.
The Committee meets online every 2 months on a Wednesday, for 1.5 hours, with opportunities to volunteer for sub-committees, and organising committees for conferences, workshops and projects.
Executive and Committee members hold their positions for two years from election, with limited repeat terms in a single position as specified in Rule 15 (3) – as per the Constitution.
Nominations must be received by the Secretary, Robert Hawes, at least seven days before the AGM, i.e. by close of business on Wednesday 8 November 2023. Nominations may be emailed to The Secretary or mailed to The Secretary, ANPC Inc., GPO Box 1777 Canberra ACT 2601. Nominees need to be nominated and seconded by two (2) members of the Network and these can be submitted separately if required.
