14 October 2012

ANPC NATIONAL CONFERENCE: full program available and deadline for registrations extended until this Friday 19th Oct


There's only two weeks until ANPC's National conference in Canberra 29 - 2nd Nov.

The full program is now available and includes a range of interesting presentations, workshops and posters on the theme of Plant Conservation in Australia: Achievements and Future Directions.

For more information including registration details visit the conference webpage.

ANPC WORKSHOP: Seed collection, storage and use for native vegetation restoration, Sydney 5th Nov 2012


The Australian Network for Plant Conservation is hosting a workshop on Seed collection, storage and use for native vegetation restoration 5 November 2012 at the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan NSW.


This workshop will provide participants with the knowledge needed to effectively collect, store and use seed in native vegetation restoration.

Topics covered include:
  • developing a collection strategy
  • seed collection methods
  • pest and disease management
  • seed banking
  • seed germination and dormancy
Experts in the use of native seed will present a selection of case studies.

For more information, including a full program, flyer and registration form please visit the workshop webpage.

This workshop will also be held in SE Queensland 3rd April 2013. Registrations to open December 2012. 

ANPC WORKSHOP: Translocation of threatened plants 6 - 7 November Sydney NSW


The ANPC will be hosting its next Translocation of Threatened Plants workshop 6 - 7 November 2012 at The Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan NSW.

This two day workshop will provide participants with the knowledge required to effectively plan, implement and evaluate translocation projects for threatened flora.

Questions addressed include:
  • When is it appropriate to use translocation as a tool to conserve threatened species?
  • What needs to be done when planning a translocation program?
  • How should a translocation program be implemented?
  • What ongoing management and evaluation is required?
The workshop will include case studies of translocation programs, highlighting lessons to be learnt and an optional full-day field trip to translocation recipient sites for a range of threatened plants.

Pine Island ACT - site of a translocation project for the endangered shrub Muehlenbeckia tuggeranong — Tuggeranong Lignum
Workshop participants viewing a translocation recipient site for the the endangered shrub Muehlenbeckia tuggeranong during a previous ANPC Translocation workshop. 

For more information, including a full program, flyer and registration form please visit the workshop webpage. You can also read a report on a recent translocation workshop and view images here.

This workshop will also be held in SE Queensland 4-5 April 2013. Registrations to open December 2012. 

ANPC WORKSHOP: Jewels in the landscape: managing significant native vegetation remnants 21 - 2012 Moree NSW


The ANPC is hosting it's final workshop in the Jewels in the Landscape series 20 - 21 November 2012, Moree NSW.

This two day workshop will provide participants with the skills required to plan, implement and monitor a project to manage and restore significant native vegetation remnants.



Learning will be through a combination of theory presentations and field-based activities.

The workshop has a particular emphasis on managing grassy woodland remnants but is relevant to the management of other vegetation types.

Topics covered include:
  • ecology of grassy woodlands;
  • weeds and weed management in grassy woodlands;
  • grassy woodland restoration;
  • grazing for biodiversity;
  • planning a management and restoration project
  • flora identification skills;
  • identifying the natural values of a site and its threats;
  • identifying vegetation community type;
  • vegetation monitoring techniques; and
  • where to get help including an overview of funding opportunities.
Images of past Jewels in the Landscape workshops can be found at ANPC's workshop flickr pages

ANPC is now regularly sharing plant conservation news on Facebook, Twitter, and Google +


The Australian Network for Plant Conservation has embraced social media in our efforts to promote and develop plant conservation. You’ll now find us sharing plant conservation news on Facebook, Twitter, and Google +.

We’re also sharing images from current and past ANPC activities on Flickr.

We’ll continue to send out a summary of major news every 3-4 weeks via the ANPC News email newsletter.

If you have plant conservation news you would like us to share please email your news to anpc@anpc.asn.au. Please include "For ANPC News" in the subject.

We've been sharing information on loads of events across Australia and plant conservation news. Here's a sample of some of what we have shared recently:

NEWS: The first recipient of the David Given Award for Excellence in Plant Conservation announced


The first recipient of the David Given Award for Excellence in Plant Conservation has been announced: Stewart McPherson.

The David Given Award for Excellence in Plant Conservation aims to enhance the profile of plant conservation and encourage outstanding efforts of young plant conservation professionals. This award is named after the late Dr. David Given to honour his outstanding contributions to SSC and more broadly to plant conservation.

NEWS: ‘Red List’ for whole ecosystems adopted


Leading Australian environmental scientists have helped to establish the first global list of threatened ecosystems at an international conservation summit. This momentous advance in global conservation – creation of a ‘Red List’ for whole ecosystems rather than just threatened species – was adopted by the 2012 IUCN World Conservation Congress held in South Korea September 6-15.

Read more.

NEWS: Significant reform to agricultural and NRM services in NSW


The Government recently announced major changes to the governance and structural framework of agricultural and natural resource management services and functions in NSW.

From January 2014, Local Land Services will deliver functions currently provided by 13 Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) and 14 Livestock Health & Pest Authorities (LHPAs) and agriculture advisory services of Agriculture NSW (part of the Department of Primary Industries).

According to the Government, Local Land Services is intended to be a new customer-focused way of delivering Government-funded agriculture and natural resource management services, advice and information in NSW.

The new Local Land Services will deliver:
· agricultural advice
· plant and animal pest control and biosecurity
· natural resource management
· emergency and disaster assessment and response.

The new Local Land Services will become operational in January 2014, when they take over the functions of CMAs, LHPAs and DPI as outlined above. In the interim, landowners will still be able to access existing services from these organisations.

During this time a range of transitional arrangements are in place, including CMAs will be reduced from 13 to 11.

For more information: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/locallandservices

NEWS: Australian Seedbank Partnership announces 1000 Species Project


Bringing together expertise from across Australia, The Australian Seedbank Partnership recently announced the 1000 Species Project. The project will be collecting and storing seed from native plant species valued for their endemic, endangered or economic significance. 1000 species not currently secured in Australia’s conservation seed banks will be targeted.

Read more.

NEW RESOURCE: Seeds of South Australia online


The South Australian Seed Conservation Centre has developed an online resource about seeds of South Australia.

This online resource provides a source of seed images for South Australian native plants, a seed identification key and species fact sheets containing seed biology information as it becomes available. For more information and to use this online resources visit: http://saseedbank.com.au/

Source.

NEW RESOURCE: Census of the Vascular Plants, Hornworts, Liverworts and Slime Moulds of the ACT


The Census of the Vascular Plants, Hornworts, Liverworts and Slime Moulds of the Australian Capital Territory lists the scientific names of the native and naturalised vascular plants, hornworts, liverworts and slime moulds known to occur in the Australian Capital Territory.

All records are based on herbarium specimens housed in the Australian National Herbarium.

NEW RESOURCE: National Atlas of Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems


In many parts of Australia, there is increasing pressure on groundwater resources from activities including agriculture, mining, urban and commercial developments. While groundwater dependent ecosystems are vulnerable to such pressures, there is a knowledge gap in understanding how they should be managed.

The Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems Atlas aims to address the knowledge gap by creating the most complete inventory of the location and characteristics of groundwater dependent ecosystems in Australia.

It is developed to:

  • collate existing information on groundwater dependent ecosystems
  • identify the location and characteristics of groundwater dependent ecosystems that have
  • not previously been identified
  • provide a central, web-based portal to present the information.

RESEARCH ROUNDUP

Here's a selection of recent research articles related to plant conservation.

Developing biodiverse plantings suitable for changing climatic conditions 1: Underpinning scientific methods, by Booth and Williams, Ecological Management and Restoration.

Developing biodiverse plantings suitable for changing climatic conditions 2: Using the Atlas of Living Australia, by Booth, Williams and Belbin, Ecological Management and Restoration.

Does managed coastal realignment create saltmarshes with ‘equivalent biological characteristics’ to natural reference sites? by Mossman, Davy and Grant, Journal of Applied Ecology.

Long-term stock grazing management in Travelling Stock Reserves and influence on conservation values. by Spooner and Morris, Ecological Management and Restoration.

Overestimating Population Sizes of Rare Clonal Plants. by Tepedino, Conservation Biology

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NSW: Linking Landscapes through Local Action


The 'Linking Landscapes through Local Action’ project was established in 2012 as part of the NSW Governments Green Corridors program.

Grants are available for establishing and funding biobank sites on public land.

Expressions of interest (EOIs) are being sought from public land managers in the Sydney Basin.

LISTEN to Steve Hopper: From Botany Bay to Breathing Planet: Reflections on Plant Diversity and Global Sustainability


Plant diversity has never been more important than now. It offers solutions towards food security and sustainable livelihoods, and yet we continue to destroy species at an accelerating pace. What are strategies to preserve plant biodiversity?

Listen to Stephen Hopper's 2012 Menzies Memorial Lecture – From Botany Bay to Breathing planet: reflections on plant diversity and global sustainability.

EVENT: NCC NSW Annual Conference 27 - 28 October, Sydney NSW


The 2012 Nature Conservation Council of NSW Annual Conference will be held at the University of Sydney Law Foyer on 27-28 October 2012, including the presentation ceremony for the NSW Environment Awards.

The NCC Annual Conference is an opportunity for member groups to gather from across the state and formulate council policy. Further details here. Please note registration closes today.

EVENT: Linear Reserve Environmental Management Forum, 30th Oct 2012, Sydney NSW


The NSW Roadside Environment Committee (REC) is hosting a state-wide forum on linear reserve environmental management to showcase examples of best practice and to facilitate discussion that helps land managers in both linear reserve planning and operations. Cost is free (but places are limited).

EVENT: Greening Australia Moolapio Grassland Discovery Day at Point Henry, Geelong Vic 6 or 7 Nov


The Greening Australia Moolapio Grassland Discovery Day will showcase the Moolapio Grassland and Seed Production Area.

You can choose to attend Vic 6 or 7 Nov. The day will provide an insightful walk and commentary on the creation, progression and consolidation of the Moolapio grasslands. Learn about an ecosystem under threat and other Greening Australia grassland projects. Guest Speaker: Dr Paul Gibson-Roy, Senior Restoration Ecologist, Greening Australia, NSW

For more information and to register (COB Friday November 2nd) email Lyn Willcock at lwillcock(at)gavic(dot)org(dot)au.

EVENT: Society for Ecological Restoration Australasia, Perth, 27-30 November 2012


The inaugural Society for Ecological Restoration Australasia Conference, 28-30 November 2012 in Perth, Western Australia is shaping up to being an exciting and inspiring meeting with seven keynote speakers now announced.

The symposium sessions have been announced and include an ANPC symposium on the role of plant translocations in restoring and maintaining biodiversity: policy, planning and practice. The symposium will include presentations by practitioners from across Australasia exploring the current and future role of threatened flora translocation in restoring and maintaining biodiversity. Issues to be discussed include: the role of translocation as a climate change adaptation tool, the importance of information sharing and guidelines, and lessons learnt from past translocation projects.

For more information and to register visit the conference web page.

06 September 2012

21 of Australia's most threatened plants



The Australian Network for Plant Conservation (ANPC) is celebrating 21 years of promoting and developing plant conservation. To mark the occasion we've released a list of 21 of Australia’s most threatened plants.

The list is being launched today on National Threatened Species Day. National Threatened Species Day is held on 7 September each year - commemorating the death of the last Tasmanian tiger at Hobart Zoo in 1936.

National Threatened Species Day aims to raise awareness of the plight of threatened species and to encourage community involvement in their conservation.

The general public is typically aware that many of Australia’s animals, like the Tasmanian Devil and the Hairy-nosed Wombat, are threatened with extinction. But they are often not aware that hundreds of Australian plant species face extinction.

More than 40 Australian Plant Species have become extinct since European settlement and over 1000 species are currently considered likely to become extinct within our lifetime unless something is done to reverse their decline.

Help raise awareness of Australia’s unique and threatened flora by sharing this list among your friends and networks.

VIEW THE SLIDE SHOW LIST BELOW or if you can’t see the slide show in your email visit http://www.anpc.asn.au/21threatenedplants.html

Make sure you click-on 'show info' in the top right corner to see the text. The slide show is best viewed at full screen (select the box with four arrows in the bottom right).



What species do you think should have made the list? We've turned on comments at ANPC NEWS so you can leave a comment under this post or leave a comment on our facebook page.

The ANPC is hosting its 9th National Conference in Canberra 29 Oct - 2 Nov 2012 on the theme Plant Conservation in Australia: Achievements & Future Directions. 

We also have five upcoming workshops on topics covering the identification, management and restoration of native vegetation. 

02 September 2012

ANPC NATIONAL CONFERENCE: call for abstracts and workshop proposals extended until 14 September 2012


The call for abstracts and workshop proposals for ANPC’s 9th national Conference has been extended until 14 September 2012.


The conference webpage was recently updated to include details for the field trips.

Three field trips options are available:

Grassland and Woodlands. Fri 2nd Nov. This tour will visit numerous sites across ACT and NSW where threatened flora are actively being managed, including Old Cooma Common, Kuma Nature Reserve, Scottsdale, and Royalla Swainsona Reserve.

Brindabella Ranges. Fri 2nd Nov. Includes a tour of the Ginini Ramsar wetlands, post-fire vegetation recovery and the Yass River Renewal program.

Kosciuszko National Park. 2 – 3rd Nov. This tour of spectacular Kosciuszko National Park will visit a range of habitat restoration sites including for Spagnum bog and Tall Wallaby Grass.

Registration closes 12 October 2012.

ANPC is now on Facebook, Twitter, and Google +


The Australian Network for Plant Conservation is embracing social media in our efforts to promote and develop plant conservation. You’ll now find us sharing plant conservation news on Facebook, Twitter, and Google +.

We’re also sharing images from current and past ANPC activities on Flickr.

We’ll continue to send out a summary of major news every 3-4 weeks via the ANPC News email newsletter.

If you have plant conservation news you would like us to share please email your news to anpc@anpc.asn.au. Please include "For ANPC News" in the subject.

ANPC WORKSHOP: Jewels in the landscape: managing significant native vegetation remnants


The ANPC is hosting two workshops on the management of significant native vegetation remnants

17 and 18 September 2012, Scone NSW
20 and 21 November 2012, Moree NSW

This two day workshop will provide participants with the skills required to plan, implement and monitor a project to manage and restore grassy woodland remnants.



Learning will be through a combination of theory presentations and field-based activities.

The workshop has a particular emphasis on managing grassy woodland remnants but is relevant to the management of other vegetation types.

Topics covered include:

  • ecology of grassy woodlands;
  • weeds and weed management in grassy woodlands;
  • grassy woodland restoration;
  • grazing for biodiversity;
  • planning a management and restoration project
  • flora identification skills;
  • identifying the natural values of a site and its threats;
  • identifying vegetation community type;
  • vegetation monitoring techniques; and
  • where to get help including an overview of funding opportunities.

ANPC WORKSHOP: Plant identification for grassy ecosystems 24-24 September 2012 Deniliquin NSW


The Australian Network for Plant Conservation is hosting a workshop on Plant identification for grassy ecosystems (Riverina and South – West Slopes) 24th - 25th September 2012 in Deniliquin NSW.

This two day workshop will introduce participants to grassy ecosystems, their diversity, ecology and provide the skills and information required to positively identify a range of common grassland plants.



We will use some of the most commonly encountered plant groups, including grasses, eucalypts and daisies, to introduce you to the best identification resources (printed, on-line, and interactive). You will also learn how to access the experts through the identification services of the major herbaria. Along the way we will de-mystify identification ‘keys’, and introduce you to useful field characters to look for.

The workshop is targeted at the beginner level, but will also provide a good opportunity for those more experienced in plant identification to refresh their skills.

For more information, including a full program, flyer and registration form please visit workshop webpage.

ANPC WORKSHOP: Seed collection, storage and use for native vegetation restoration


The Australian Network for Plant Conservation is hosting a workshop on Seed collection, storage and use for native vegetation restoration 5 November 2012 at the The Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan NSW.


This workshop will provide participants with the knowledge needed to effectively collect, store and use seed in native vegetation restoration.

Topics covered include:
  • developing a collection strategy
  • seed collection methods
  • pest and disease management
  • seed banking
  • seed germination and dormancy
Experts in the use of native seed will present a selection of case studies.

For more information, including a full program, flyer and registration form please visit the workshop webpage.

ANPC WORKSHOP: Translocation of threatened plants 6 - 7 November Sydney NSW


The ANPC will be hosting its next Translocation of Threatened Plants workshop 6 - 7 November 2012 at The Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan NSW.

This two day workshop will provide participants with the knowledge required to effectively plan, implement and evaluate translocation projects for threatened flora.

Questions addressed include:
  • When is it appropriate to use translocation as a tool to conserve threatened species?
  • What needs to be done when planning a translocation program?
  • How should a translocation program be implemented?
  • What ongoing management and evaluation is required?
The workshop will include case studies of translocation programs, highlighting lessons to be learnt and an optional full-day field trip to translocation recipient sites for a range of threatened plants.

Pine Island ACT - site of a translocation project for the endangered shrub Muehlenbeckia tuggeranong — Tuggeranong Lignum
Workshop participants viewing a translocation recipient site for the the endangered shrub Muehlenbeckia tuggeranong during a previous ANPC Translocation workshop. 

For more information, including a full program, flyer and registration form please visit the workshop webpage. You can also read a report on a recent translocation workshop and view images here.

BUSHLAND RESTORATION explored in the latest edition of Australasian Plant Conservation


ANPC members recently received issue 21 (1) of Australasian Plant Conservation.

The theme of the latest issue is bushland restoration.

The issue examines current small scale efforts and local approaches being made in the restoration of bushland areas.

Articles include:

  • The south-east Queensland ecological restoration framework – the ‘how to guide’ for a biodiversity hotspot by David Francis, Rhonda James and Darren McPherson.
  • The use of mitigation planting to achieve strategic planning outcomes in local riparian restoration by Lisa Carter and Murray Swales
  • Tweed-Byron Bush Futures Project: improving urban and peri-urban bushland sustainability in Tweed and Byron Shires by Angus Underwood and John Turnbull
  • High impact bush regeneration: is there a role for heavy machinery? by Lee Andresen
  • A forty year history of bushcare at Bonnet Bay, NSW by Michael Harrington
  • Hawthorn eradication - an Aranda Bushland story by Jean Geue
  • Burn piles and planting at Latrobeana Terrace – Restoration of a grassy forest community in Eltham South, Victoria by Karl Just
  • Ex-situ conservation of the rare Tall Yellow-top Daisy (Senecio pilosicristus) by Michael Thorpe, Dan Duval and Phillip Ainsley
  • Revegetation of Banksia Eucalypt Woodland in Beeliar Regional Park, Western Australia by Linda Metz
  • Restoring the canopy health of native urban bushland and parkland trees by Paul Anthony Barber and Giles Edward StJohn Hardy
  • The Redhand MethodTM - a new method of herbicide application by Tait Bedlington
Regular features include: updates from the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network, book reviews, information resources and useful websites, and research roundup.

The next issue will expand on this to examine restoration at a larger, landscape scale. 

Not a member and interested in becoming one? Visit our membership page.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: NRM Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Research Grants Program


Applications are now open for the NRM Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Research Grants Program (Impacts and Adaptation Grants Program).

The closing date for applications is 2pm AEST, 27 September 2012.

The Impacts and Adaptation Grants Program is part of Stream 2 of the Regional NRM Planning for Climate Change Fund, which has been developed as part of the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Future plan.
This merit-based grants program will provide $8 million in funding over four financial years to research institutions to work with regional NRM organisations to deliver information on climate change, its impacts and adaptation responses, and provide guidance on how to use that information.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NSW: Linking Landscapes through Local Action


The 'Linking Landscapes through Local Action’ project was established in 2012 as part of the NSW Governments Green Corridors program.

Funding of $9 million is being allocated to a grant program targeted to public land managers in the Sydney basin that are willing to manage bushland for conservation purposes.

Expressions of interest (EOIs) are being sought from public land managers in the Sydney Basin. For more information visit: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/conservationprograms/linkinglandscapes.htm.

NEW RESOURCE: Plants of the Newnes Plateau website


Doug Benson and Lotte von Richter from the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust have prepared a web site dedicated to the Plants of the Newnes Plateau.

About 590 native plant species have been recorded on the Newnes Plateau in the upper Blue Mountains and its special vegetation includes the nationally listed Newnes Plateau Shrub Swamps Endangered Ecological Community and other rare or threatened plants and animals.

The pages provide information on many of the interesting plants and vegetation communities of the plateau as well as information on ecology and history.

NEW RESOURCE: Wildlife & Climate Change: Towards robust conservation strategies for Australian fauna


The proceedings of recent forum held by the Royal Zoological Society of NSW, Wildlife & Climate Change: Towards robust conservation strategies for Australian fauna, are now available online.

Several of the chapters are relevant for terrestrial and aquatic flora/vegetation as well as for fauna. For example Lesley Hughes asks 'Can Australian biodiversity adapt to climate change? and Tony Popic and Glenda Wardle explore 'Extremes: understanding flower-visitor interactions in a changing climate'.

The full publication can be downloaded for free here.

NEW RESOURCE: Grey Box Grassy Woodlands & Derived Native Grasslands of South-Eastern Australia EPBC Act Policy Statement


This illustrated booklet is designed to assist land managers, owners and occupiers as well as environmental assessment officers, consultants and the general public to identify, assess and manage the Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa) Grassy Woodlands and Derived Native Grasslands of South-Eastern Australia. This nationally threatened ecological community is listed under Australia's national environment law, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

NEW RESOURCE: Progress toward environmental weed eradication in New Zealand


This paper summarizes a decade of plant eradication attempts by the New Zealand Department of Conservation. Data on 111 environmental weed eradication programs have been collected and summarized.

Read more here.

EVENT: BGANZ Conference 6-7 September, Sunshine Coast Qld


Botanic Gardens Australia and New Zealand Inc (BGANZ), the chief body representing the interests of botanic gardens in Australia and New Zealand, is holding its annual conference on the Sunshine Coast Qld 6 -7 Sepetmber 2012. Details here.

EVENT: Bushcare's Major Day Out, September 9th


On Sunday September 9th in Landcare Week, at over 100 city and country locations across Australia, everyone is invited to gather and do their bit for our remaining bushland.

Bushcare’s Major Day Out is a day specifically designed to give of us the opportunity to find out what is being done and what can be done in our own neighbourhood. It’s a fun day where anyone, young and old can work alongside and learn from experts and experienced volunteers. There are a range of activities depending on the location; walks, planting, weed removal, photography workshops as well as native plant identification and well celebrated morning teas.

Councils, Landcare, Bushcare groups and others are invited to post the details of their event on the website. Please send your details (location, organiser, time, details etc) to: info (at) bushcaresmajordayout (dot) org.

EVENT: 11th annual Awabakal wildflower walk, 9 September, Awabakal Nature Reserve, NSW


Join the National Parks Association (Hunter Branch) for a slow walk though the late spring wildflowers of the coastal heath of Awabakal Nature Reserve. For more information phone Maree 0410405815 or John 0400882897.

EVENT: Serrated Tussock Field Day 10 September 2012, Peel NSW


A Serrated Tussock field day will be held at "Brucedale" Peel NSW 10th September 2012 to explore new technologies for an old weed.

The informative and practical day is aimed at land managers, Weeds Officers and other weed professionals. 

Further details can be found here.

EVENT: Practical WET workshop on ‘Managing Constructed Wetlands and Water Plants’ 20 – 21 September Sydney NSW


On 20-21 September 2012 the Sydney Olympic Park Authority will be running a practical workshop on ‘Managing Constructed Wetlands and Water Plants’.

This workshop is suitable for anyone contemplating on construction and management of urban wetlands, especially those who are planning to manage development works around wetlands.

Participants will gain a hands-on learning experience and acquire pragmatic approaches in managing constructed wetlands and water plants, including weeds. Emphasis is placed on successful examples elsewhere and in Sydney Olympic Park.

For more information and to register call 02 9714 8888 or email bookingsvc@sopa.nsw.gov.au

EVENT: Society for Conservation Biology regional conference 21 - 23 September 2012


Society for Conservation Biology’s Oceania section are holding a regional conference on Conservation Biology in Oceania 21st – 23rd September 2012 in Darwin. The theme is 'People and Conservation in Land and Sea Country'.

Land and sea country are terms used by Indigenous people in northern Australia to refer to the environments they have managed for millennia. The philosophy underlying land and sea country management of passing on the knowledge and values inherited from ancestors to descendants is widely shared by conservation biologists across the globe. The meeting will showcase Indigenous conservation management while highlighting the tools and knowledge now available to all conservation practitioners in caring for land and sea country.

More information available from the conference website.

EVENT: Australasian Systematic Botany Society Conference, Perth, 23-28 September 2012


The Australasian Systematic Botany Society will hold their 2012 conference in Perth 23-28th September 2012. The conference theme, Local knowledge, global delivery, follows from last year's landmark International Botanical Congress in Melbourne, where sweeping new changes surrounding the publication of new taxa were proposed.

More information available on the conference website.

EVENT: NCC NSW Annual Conference 27 - 28 October, Sydney NSW


The 2012 Nature Conservation Council of NSW Annual Conference will be held at the University of Sydney Law Foyer on 27-28 October 2012, including the presentation ceremony for the NSW Environment Awards.

The NCC Annual Conference is an opportunity for member groups to gather from across the state and formulate council policy. Further details here.

EVENT: Society for Ecological Restoration Australasia, Perth, 27-30 November 2012


The inaugural Society for Ecological Restoration Australasia Conference, 28-30 November 2012 in Perth, Western Australia is shaping up to being an exciting and inspiring meeting, with seven keynote speakers now announced.

The symposium sessions have been announced and include an ANPC symposium on the role of plant translocations in restoring and maintaining biodiversity: policy, planning and practice. The symposium will include presentations by practitioners from across Australasia exploring the current and future role of threatened flora translocation in restoring and maintaining biodiversity. Issues to be discussed include: the role of translocation as a climate change adaptation tool, the importance of information sharing and guidelines, and lessons learnt from past translocation projects.

For more information and to register visit the conference web page.

CONTRIBUTE your news


Do you have any plant conservation news that could be of interest to the readers of ANPC News?

Email your news to anpc@anpc.asn.au making sure to put "For ANPC News" in the title.

Please keep your news item concise, preferably one paragraph, and provide a link that readers can click for further information. Images welcome.

01 August 2012

ANPC WORKSHOP on managing significant native vegetation remnants, Scone & Moree NSW


The ANPC is hosting a workshop on managing native vegetation remnants at two locations in NSW during 2012:

Scone 17 - 18 September
Moree 20 - 21st November

The workshop will provide participants with the skills required to plan, implement and monitor a project to manage and restore grassy woodland remnants.

Learning will be through a combination of theory presentations and field-based activities.

The workshop has a particular emphasis on managing grassy woodland remnants but is relevant to the management of other vegetation types.

Topics covered include:
  • ecology of grassy woodlands;
  • weeds and weed management in grassy woodlands;
  • grassy woodland restoration;
  • grazing for biodiversity;
  • planning a management and restoration project;
  • flora identification skills;
  • identifying the natural values of a site and its threats;
  • identifying vegetation community type;
  • vegetation monitoring techniques; and
  • where to get help including an overview of funding opportunities.
Further information, including a full program and registration details can be found on the workshop webpages: Scone & Moree.

Places are limited.

ANPC WORKSHOP on plant identification for grassy ecosystems, Riverina and South-west Slopes NSW


The ANPC is hosting a two day workshop on plant identification for grassy ecosystems in Deniliquin NSW 24th – 25th September 2012.

The workshop will introduce participants to grassy ecosystems, their diversity, ecology and provide the skills and information required to positively identify a range of common grassland plants.

We will use some of the most commonly encountered plant groups, including grasses, eucalypts and daisies, to introduce you to the best identification resources (printed, on-line, and interactive). You will also learn how to access the experts through the identification services of the major herbaria. Along the way we will de-mystify identification ‘keys’, and introduce you to useful field characters to look for.

The workshop is targeted at the beginner level, but will also provide a good opportunity for those more experienced in plant identification to refresh their skills.

Further information, including a full program and registration details can be found here.

Places are limited.

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: ANPC's 9th National Conference, Canberra, 29 Oct - 2 Nov 2012


Abstracts are invited for ANPC’s 9th National Conference to be held 29 October – 2 November 2012 in Canberra.  

The overall conference theme is plant conservation in Australia, achievement and future directions.

Abstracts are invited for conference presentations, posters and workshops.

Abstracts should address a theme of the conference which include:
  • Threats
  • Conservation policy
  • Plant conservation strategies
  • Vegetation, soil and water context
  • Ecological restoration
  • Role of the NGO sector
Closing date for abstract submission is 17 August 2012.

ANPC Seeking articles for the next issue of APC


We are seeking articles for the September – November 2012 issue of Australasian Plant Conservation (APC), the bulletin of the Australian Network for Plant Conservation.

The issue will be on the theme ‘Landscape Restoration’ and will highlight current landscape scale restoration efforts.

General articles not on the theme are also welcome. 

Articles generally should not exceed 1200 words and authors are encouraged to submit two or three high resolution images to illustrate their article. Further guidelines for authors about the APC style and scope can be downloaded here.

We also welcome: book reviews; notes regarding interesting recent publications or resources; and workshop, course and fieldwork announcements.

Deadline for submissions for the September – November 2012 issue is Friday 10 August 2012.

If you are intending to submit an article or wish to discuss possibilities, please contact the Editor, Selga Harrington. Your final article must be submitted to Selga by email at selga.harrington@gmail.com.

OPPORTUNITY TO CONTRIBUTE: Implementing the Nagoya Protocol in Australia


Australia is now pursuing the implementation and ratification of the Nagoya Protocol.

The ‘Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization’ is a global agreement that implements the access and benefit-sharing obligations of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Australia signed the Nagoya Protocol in January 2012, and is now developing its approach to implementation and ratification.

The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population, and Communities invites you to provide your views on the best way to implement the Protocol in Australia.

You can find more information on making a submission here. Initial submissions due by 17 August 2012.

NSW FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Green Corridors Program


The 'Linking Landscapes through Local Action’ project was established in 2012 as part of the NSW Governments Green Corridors program.

Funding of $9 million is being allocated to a grant program targeted to public land managers in the Sydney basin that are willing to manage bushland for conservation purposes.

Expressions of interest (EOIs) will be sought from public land managers in the Sydney Basin from August 2012 onwards. For more information visit: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/conservationprograms/linkinglandscapes.htm.

NSW FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: NSW Environmental Restoration and Rehabilitation Program


The NSW Environmental Trust invites applications to its Environmental Restoration and Rehabilitation Program.

The objectives of the program include ‘to restore degraded environmental resources, including rare and endangered ecosystems’ and to ‘to protect important ecosystems and habitats of rare and endangered flora and fauna’.

Applications close on 31 August 2012.

NEW PUBLICATION: Biological Control of Weeds in Australia


The recently released Biological Control of Weeds in Australia by Mic Julien, Rachel McFadyen and Jim Cullen, reviews the history of biological control in Australia. The book covers over 90 weed species and a multitude of biological control agents and potential agents.

Each chapter has been written by practising biological control of weeds researchers and provides details of the weed, the history of its biological control, exploration for agents, potential agents studied and agents released and the outcomes of those releases.

Further information on the book can be found here and in this article on Why the invaders are winning.

NEW PUBLICATION: Weeds of Northern Australia: A field guide by Nicholas Smith


Weeds of Northern Australia, published by the Environment Centre NT, describes 150 weeds of Northern Australia and provides information to help land managers identify and eradicate weeds. The guide includes photos and descriptions, distribution maps, detailed botanical drawings and ecological information and recommended control methods.

More information here and can be purchased from The Environment Centre NT.

EVENT: Practical WET workshop on ‘Managing Constructed Wetlands and Water Plants’ 20 – 21 September Sydney NSW


On 20-21 September 2012 the Sydney Olympic Park Authority will be running a practical workshop on ‘Managing Constructed Wetlands and Water Plants’.

This workshop is suitable for anyone contemplating on construction and management of urban wetlands, especially those who are planning to manage development works around wetlands.

Participants will gain a hands-on learning experience and acquire pragmatic approaches in managing constructed wetlands and water plants, including weeds. Emphasis is placed on successful examples elsewhere and in Sydney Olympic Park.

For more information and to register call 02 9714 8888 or email bookingsvc@sopa.nsw.gov.au

EVENT: National Landcare Conference, Sydney 3-5 September 2012


The conference program has been released for the National Landcare Conference to be held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre from 3 - 5 September 2012.

This year’s conference will take place in Landcare Week and will be an exciting opportunity to bring together people that are interested in creating sustainable landscapes for the 21st century.

EVENT: Bushcare's Major Day Out, September 9th


On Sunday September 9th in Landcare Week, at over 100 city and country locations across Australia, everyone is invited to gather and do their bit for our remaining bushland.

Bushcare’s Major Day Out is a day specifically designed to give of us the opportunity to find out what is being done and what can be done in our own neighbourhood. It’s a fun day where anyone, young and old can work alongside and learn from experts and experienced volunteers. There are a range of activities depending on the location; walks, planting, weed removal, photography workshops as well as native plant identification and well celebrated morning teas.

Councils, Landcare, Bushcare groups and others are invited to post the details of their event on the website. Please send your details (location, organiser, time, details etc) to: info (at) bushcaresmajordayout (dot) org.

EVENT: Society for Conservation Biology regional conference 21 - 23 September 2012


Society for Conservation Biology’s Oceania section are holding a regional conference on Conservation Biology in Oceania 21st – 23rd September 2012 in Darwin. The theme is 'People and Conservation in Land and Sea Country'.

Land and sea country are terms used by Indigenous people in northern Australia to refer to the environments they have managed for millennia. The philosophy underlying land and sea country management of passing on the knowledge and values inherited from ancestors to descendants is widely shared by conservation biologists across the globe. The meeting will showcase Indigenous conservation management while highlighting the tools and knowledge now available to all conservation practitioners in caring for land and sea country.

More information available from the conference website.

EVENT: Australasian Systematic Botany Society Conference, Perth, 23-28 September 2012


The Australasian Systematic Botany Society will hold their 2012 conference in Perth 23-28th September 2012. The conference theme, Local knowledge, global delivery, follows from last year's landmark International Botanical Congress in Melbourne, where sweeping new changes surrounding the publication of new taxa were proposed.

More information available on the conference website.

EVENT: Society for Ecological Restoration Australasia, Perth, 27-30 November 2012


The SER-Australasia Inaugural Conference will be held in Perth, Western Australia, 28-30 November 2012.

For land managers, scientists and practitioners who work in biodiversity restoration, this SERA meeting will provide a critical international forum at a time of significance for the region's species, ecosystems and landscape.

The ANPC will be presenting a symposium on the role of plant translocations in restoring and maintaining biodiversity: policy, planning and practice.

For more information and to register visit the conference web page.

CONTRIBUTE YOUR NEWS


Do you have any plant conservation news that could be of interest to the readers of ANPC News?

Email your news to anpc@anpc.asn.au making sure to put "For ANPC News" in the title.

Please keep your news item concise, preferably one paragraph, and provide a link that readers can click for further information. Images welcome.

NEWS: More on IPBES


We introduced the establishment of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) in a recent ANPC News.

Keen to know more? An article on the platform was published in a recent issue of Decision Point. The article (on page 12) by Emily Nicholson discusses the functions of IPBES and its potential impact on biodiversity conservation.

10 July 2012

ANPC CALL FOR LANDSCAPE RESTORATION ARTICLES for Australasian Plant Conservation (APC)


We are seeking articles for the September – November 2012 issue of Australasian Plant Conservation (APC), the bulletin of the Australian Network for Plant Conservation.

The issue will be on the theme ‘Landscape Restoration’ and will highlight current landscape scale restoration efforts.

Loss and degradation of habitat is a major cause of decline and extinction of species in Australia. The scale of degradation poses many challenges to recovery efforts. Landscape restoration aims to conserve biodiversity, to regain ecological integrity and assist with recovery of degraded ecosystems by focusing on restoring ecological processes to achieve this.

In this issue we will focus on the restoration of larger areas. We want to look at the practical on-ground works being undertaken. What tools did you use to assess the state of the site and what approach did you take in restoring it? What challenges were encountered and what were the outcomes?

Articles generally should not exceed 1200 words and authors are encouraged to submit two or three high resolution images to illustrate their article. Further guidelines for authors about the APC style and scope can be downloaded here.

General articles not on the theme are also welcome. We also welcome: book reviews; notes regarding interesting recent publications or resources; and workshop, course and fieldwork announcements.

Deadline for submissions for the September – November 2012 issue is Friday 10 August 2012.

If you are intending to submit an article or wish to discuss possibilities, please contact the Editor, Selga Harrington, by 20 July Your final article must be submitted to Selga by email at selga.harrington@gmail.com.

ANPC NATIONAL CONFERENCE: Announcing plenary session presenters

Registration is open for ANPC’s 9th National Conference to be held 29 October – 2 November 2012 in Canberra. 

The overall conference theme is plant conservation in Australia, achievement and future directions.

The conference will be relevant for the full range of people and groups involved in plant conservation in Australia and will provide a significant networking opportunity for participants.

Plenary session presenters include:
  • Andreas Glanznig, CEO Invasive Animals CRC 
  • David Keith, Office of Environment and Heritage NSW 
  • Steve Harris, Dept Primary Industries Parks Water & Environment TAS 
  • Jamie Kirkpatrick, University of Tasmania 
  • Henry Nix, Australian National University 
  • Kingsley Dixon, Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority WA 
  • Linda Broadhurst, CSIRO Plant Industry 
  • David Freudenberger, Greening Australia (National) 
There’s still plenty of time to register in time for the early bird discount which ends 24 August 2012.

Abstracts are invited for conference presentations, posters and workshops. Abstracts should address a theme of the conference. Closing date for abstract submission is 17 August 2012.

NEWS: Wales becomes first country to DNA barcode all flowering plants


Wales has become the first country in the world to DNA barcode all its flowering plants, enabling scientists to explore new ground breaking health and conservation research.

The project, led by the National Botanic Garden’s head of conservation and research, Dr Natasha de Vere, has created a reference database of DNA barcodes based on the 1,143 native flowering plants and conifers of Wales.

It means that for the first time, plants can be identified from pollen grains, fragments of seed or roots, wood, dung, stomach contents or environmental samples collected from the air, soil or water.

“Wales is now in the unique position of being able to identify plant species from materials which in the past would have been incredibly difficult or impossible,” Dr de Vere said.

“Through the Barcode Wales project, we have created a powerful platform for a broad range of research from biodiversity conservation to human health.”

The Welsh flora DNA barcodes have already been made freely available on the Barcode of Life Database where researchers throughout the world can access the information for their own research purposes.

Source.

NEWS: ISC proposes new environmental biosecurity task-force for Australia


The Invasive Species Council has launched a proposal for a national biosecurity taskforce, with the working title ‘Environment Health Australia’.

The proposal forms the bulk of a new ISC report, ‘Keeping Nature Safe’. The concept builds on assessments in Australia’s 2011 State of the Environment report that Government responses to invasive species are “uncoordinated at the national level, reactive, focused on larger animals, biased towards potential impact on primary industry at the expense of the total ecosystem, and critically under-resourced”.

The ISC argues that the new taskforce is needed to
  • Improve environmental biosecurity preparedness;
  • Manage environmental invasions more effectively through ecological approaches;
  • Improve community awareness and vigilance; and
  • Improve coordination and collaboration between jurisdictions, agencies and sectors.
The Invasive Species Council is an environmental NGO that campaigns for stronger laws, policies and programs to protect Australian biodiversity from invasive species.

NEWS: WA rescue effort for critically endangered flora


Threatened flora species in danger of extinction were planted across Western Australia during May as part of an annual Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) project to collect rare seeds and plant them in the wild.

DEC research scientist Leonie Monks said 15 critically endangered plant species were being targeted as part of the translocation project.

“Translocations have been carried out by DEC for nearly 60 plant species over the past 17 years, but with 137 critically endangered species in Western Australia there is plenty of work still to do to prevent extinctions.” she said.

“New translocations combined with follow-up maintenance and monitoring of translocation sites is maximising the chances of survival of many species across the State.”

Ms Monks said translocating rare species could be extremely challenging.“Some of these species consist of just a handful of individuals in the wild, so in many cases it takes several years before there are enough seeds in storage for us to be able to attempt the translocation, and even then the seedlings may not survive,” she said.

“In other cases we are more successful, such as for Grevillea calliantha, which we are planting and monitoring near Cataby. We planted 177 seedlings in 2010, 74 of which have survived, and we are about to plant a further 102 seedlings.

“A population of critically endangered Banksia brownii translocated in Stirling Range National Park between 2006 and 2009 has recorded an 86 per cent survival rate from 219 specimens planted, and that kind of result is extremely encouraging.”

Source: Australian Seedbank Partnership.

Leonie Monks will be providing an overview of lessons learnt from Western Australian flora translocations at an ANPC workshop on the translocation of threatened flora in Sydney 6th November 2012.

NEWS: Translocation for the Aromatic Peppercress near Gundaroo, NSW

Gundaroo Nature Reserve volunteer planting (6) 
NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) Senior Threatened Species Officer Rainer Rehwinkel was delighted with the efforts of everyone who planted endangered Aromatic Peppercress at Mcleods Creek Nature Reserve in late April.

Mr Rehwinkel said seedlings were planted in weather perfect for the plants but not as comfortable for the volunteers and staff from OEH, CSIRO, and the Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG).

“Twenty of us worked in rain, hail, chill and occasional sunshine without complaint and we successfully planted 360 Lepidium hyssopifolium seedlings grown at a Bathurst nursery.

“On the advice of ecologists Sue McIntyre and the OEH’s John Briggs, we planted in both grasslands and the grassy woodlands at the reserve, and we will now monitor their success.

“This planting may be critical to the survival of Aromatic peppercress, which was once common in eastern Australia, but there are now only two known natural populations, both in NSW,” Mr Rehwinkel said.

Source.

NEWS: It’s bloom time for rare Mallee plants in Victoria


Research by the Department of Sustainability and Environment’s Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI) has shown the Mallee woodlands in North-west Victoria are blooming due to a combination of good rainfall and 20 years of pest control work.

ARI Principal Scientist (Flora Ecology) David Cheal said: “The study of native cypress-pine and casuarina woodlands from the Millewa in the far north-west to Wyperfeld near Rainbow and Hopetoun identified 22 species of plant listed as threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee (FFG) Act as well as two species not formally recorded in Victoria before.”

“Years of Parks Victoria work managing grazing animals means the good seasons have had a significant impact on a lot of Mallee plant species and some of those benefits will be long term,” Dr Cheal said.

“Thanks to that work, we have collected the first ever Victorian specimens of the Desert New Holland Daisy (Vittadinia eremaea), also collected by local botanist Ian Sluiter and a small annual grass (Spike Grass) and these are now in the National Herbarium of Victoria.”

“Some of the other threatened plants identified that haven’t been seen for years included Desert Lantern (Abutilon otocarpum), Sandhill Spurge (Phyllanthus lacunellus), Bush Hibiscus (Radyera farragei) and Spear-fruit Copperburr (Sclerolaena patenticuspis). Some of these plants have returned in large numbers and we are seeing perennial shrubs growing where we previously had annual grasses or bare ground.”

Source

OPPORTUNITY TO CONTRIBUTE: Public consultation opens for next phase of Caring for our Country


Public consultation has opened for the next phase of Caring for our Country.

Consultation will run until 15 August and will include stakeholder forums and meetings and the release of discussion papers through a dedicated online forum.

The consultation will focus on specific areas of program implementation that are still to be developed.

A discussion paper was recently released on ‘Protecting and conserving nationally significant species, ecosystems and biodiversity in the next phase of Caring for our Country.’

For information and to contribute visit www.caringforourcountryreview.com.au. 

OPPORTUNITY TO CONTRIBUTE: National weed management strategies released – comments invited


Draft Strategic Plans have been prepared for three of the 12 recently declared additional Weeds of National Significance (WoNS).

Draft plans and further information regarding contributing are available for:
Comments close 16 July 2012.

OPPORTUNITY TO CONTRIBUTE: draft conservation advice for the Lowland Grassy Woodland and Derived Grassland of the South East Corner Bioregion open for public consultation


The Federal environment department is assessing the Lowland Grassy Woodland and Derived Grassland of the South East Corner Bioregion for potential listing as a threatened ecological community under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

The draft conservation advice (including listing advice) is currently open for public consultation and can be downloaded from the department’s website at: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/communities/lowland-grassy-woodland.html

Comments close on Friday 17th August 2012.

OPPORTUNITY TO CONTRIBUTE: Discussion paper on managing native grasslands as part of the review of the Native Vegetation Regulation, NSW


A discussion paper on managing native grasslands been released as part of public consultation for the review of the Native Vegetation Regulation.

This is the final consultation document for this stage of the review.

Regional information sessions are currently happening across NSW.

Submissions to the review are due by midnight 24 August 2012.

All consultation documents released for review are available from the Office of Environment and Heritage website at http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/vegetation/consultreview.htm

NEW RESOURCE: Noxious weeds briefing paper


The Noxious Weeds Briefing Paper by Daniel Montoya provides an overview of noxious weeds in New South Wales and includes discussion of weed classifications; their impacts; NSW legislation and legislative reforms; and policy and administrative frameworks and their relationship to the Australian Weed Strategy and biosecurity.

EVENT: What the Australian Community thinks about Climate Change, Seminar by Professor Tim Flannery, 26 July, Sydney, NSW


After 16 months as chief Climate Change Commissioner Tim Flannery made 16 visits to regional Australia to engage with the community about climate change. What he learned was unexpected, and very different from what you read in the media.

Further details for this free seminar can be found here.

EVENT: Seminar: Landscape soils, compost & mulches – problems, solutions, new standards & specifications, 1st August 2012, Sydney NSW


Hosted by the Horticultural Media association of NSW, this seminar will provide a briefing on plans by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects to improve the specifications for soil supplies and on how the new Australian Standard (AS4454) for composts, soil conditioners and mulches has resulted in significant changes that will impact on the entire landscape supply change.

EVENT: Seminar: Why Aren't we Talking about Soil?, Thursday 27 July 2012, Sydney NSW


While climate change, ocean acidification and biodiversity loss dominate news headlines, why does the topic of soil security, the maintenance or improvement of the world's soil resource, rarely rate a mention?

A forum of University of Sydney academics working in agricultural research, along with international experts in soil science and security, discuss their latest research findings along with real world implications.

More information on this free seminar available here.

EVENT: National Landcare Conference, Sydney 3-5 September 2012


Early bird conference registrations are now open for the National Landcare Conference to be held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre from 3 - 5 September 2012.

This year’s conference will take place in Landcare Week and will be an exciting opportunity to bring together people that are interested in creating sustainable landscapes for the 21st century.

EVENT: Bushcare's Major Day Out, September 9th 2012


On Sunday September 9th in Landcare Week, at over 100 city and country locations across Australia, everyone is invited to gather and do their bit for our remaining bushland.

Bushcare’s Major Day Out is a day specifically designed to give of us the opportunity to find out what is being done and what can be done in our own neighbourhood. It’s a fun day where anyone, young and old can work alongside and learn from experts and experienced volunteers. There are a range of activities depending on the location; walks, planting, weed removal, photography workshops as well as native plant identification and well celebrated morning teas.

Councils, Landcare, Bushcare groups and others are invited to post the details of their event on the website. Please send your details (location, organiser, time, details etc) to: info (at) bushcaresmajordayout (dot) org.

CONTRIBUTE YOUR NEWS


Got some plant conservation news that could be of interest to the readers of ANPC News?

Email your news to anpc@anpc.asn.au making sure to put "For ANPC News" in the title.

Please keep your news item concise, preferably one paragraph, and provide a link that readers can click for further information. Images welcome.

08 June 2012

ANPC NATIONAL CONFERENCE: Registration open & inviting abstracts for presentations, posters & workshops

Registration has opened for ANPC’s 9th National Conference to be held 29 October – 2 November 2012 in Canberra. 

The overall conference theme is plant conservation in Australia, achievement and future directions.

The conference will be relevant for the full range of people and groups involved in plant conservation in Australia and will provide a significant networking opportunity for participants.

Abstracts are invited for conference presentations and posters

Abstracts are now invited for conference presentations and posters. Abstracts should address a theme of the conference. Closing date for abstract submission is 17 August 2012. Further on abstract submission can be found here.

Would you like to run a conference workshop?

Day three of the conference is dedicated to workshops. Topics covered by previous conference workshops include: Using interactive identification keys; Seeds: from collection to germination; Conservation on private land; and Fundraising skills for small conservation groups.

To request a workshop on a particular theme or apply to run a workshop, please complete section 3 of the Abstract and Workshop Submission form (which can be found here) and submit by 17 August 2012.

ANPC seeking a Volunteer Social Media Coordinator


Are you a regular social media user?

ANPC is seeking a Volunteer Social Media Coordinator to manage Facebook and Twitter accounts for the ANPC.

To apply please email an expression of interest, outlining your experience in social media, to anpc@anpc.asn.au by Monday 25th June 2012.

The successful applicant will receive a free annual membership to the ANPC.

ANPC: Monitoring and community involvement explored in the latest edition of APC


ANPC members will have received issue 20 (4) of Australasian Plant Conservation by now.

The theme of the latest issue is monitoring and community involvement.

Articles include:
  • The role of community groups in rare orchid monitoring in the West Australian wheatbelt
  • Monitoring a nutrient manipulation experiment to restore grassy box-gum woodlands
  • Monitoring for climate driven floristic shift in Australian subtropical rainforest
  • Could crowdsourcing be used to detect and monitor invasives?
  • Mitigating the effects of forest eucalypt dieback associated with psyllids and bell miners in World Heritage Areas
  • The Threatened Crimson Spider Orchid, Albury NSW
  • Monitoring the effects of fire on the Button Wrinklewort
  • Monitoring the Bago Leek Orchid
  • Vehicle access controls monitored through photopoints
  • Introduction of Pellitory into revegetated coastal dunes to attract the Yellow Admiral Butterfly
Regular features include: updates from the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network, book reviews, information resources and useful websites, and research roundup.

Not a member and interested in becoming one? Visit our membership page.

ANPC: Exploring images from the past 21 years


As part of our 21st anniversary celebrations, the ANPC is collating images from the past 21 years. Volunteer Mark Grahame has been uploading photographs to ANPC’s Flickr photo sharing page.

A common theme in the images is the ‘hands-on’ nature of our forums and workshops. Here are a few ‘hands-on’ images from past ANPC events.

Simone Louwhoff (left) leading the lichen identification workshop
 Lichen identification workshop, Forum: What lies beneath? The role of soil biota in the health and rehabilitation of native vegetation, Canberra, ACT, 17-19 April, 2007.

Dr Kingsley Dixon conducting a seed dormancy workshop
Dr Kingsley Dixon conducting a seed dormancy workshop, 5th National Conference, Recovery: A Decade Towards a Biodiverse Future, Geelong from 24 February to 1 March 2003.

Hands-on experience collecting monitoring data
Collecting vegetation monitoring data, Jewels in the Landscape. A two day workshop on managing significant native vegetation remnants, 3 and 4 November 2011, Guyra, NSW.

Do you have any images of past ANPC activities that you are willing to share? If so, please contact the ANPC National Office.

NEWS: Myrtle Rust reaches Wet Tropics


The introduced plant disease Myrtle Rust has now naturalised in a number of areas in North Queensland. In the world heritage-listed Wet Tropics, Myrtle Rust has been found in ‘wild’ situations in the Mossman Gorge section of Daintree National Park, Barron Gorge and Kuranda National Park, at Smithfield Conservation Park near Cairns, and in a residential garden in Mareeba. Further south, it has now also been found in Mackay. The previous northern limit for naturalised occurrence was Yeppoon.

North Queensland has a large number of potentially susceptible species within the moist climatic zone favoured by the Rust.

Myrtle rust was first detected in Australia in April 2010 on the NSW Central Coast. It has since spread to affect a wide range of species in the Myrtaceae family including Australian natives such as eucalypts (Eucalyptus, Corymbia and Angophora spp.), bottle brush and paperbark (Callistemon and Melaleuca spp.), tea tree (Leptospermum spp.) and lilly-pilly (Syzygium spp.).

For more detail: North Queensland Register 24 May 2012

For current Queensland host list, and reporting and management advice, see Queensland Dept of Agriculture Fisheries & Forestry website.

NEWS: Assessing the conservation value of ex situ collections


A new collaborative project between BGCI and the Botanical Garden of Ghent University, Belgium is aiming to develop a protocol for the genetic management of ex situ plant collections for conservation and restoration. The project will focus on selected species of three unrelated Angiosperm groups: Hydrangea, Magnolia and Cactaceae.

Read more here.

NEWS: Four leading botanical gardens to create first online world flora catalogue


The World Flora Online project was recently launched.

The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, The New York Botanical Garden and the Missouri Botanical Garden, have announced plans to develop the World Flora—the first modern, online catalogue of the world’s plants—to be made available by the year 2020.

This massive undertaking will include the compilation of information on up to 400,000 plant species worldwide.

Judy West, executive director of Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra, says Australia will be a "major contributor" to the project. "There's about 20,000 species in Australia which is a significant portion of the world's flora," she says.

Read more here and here.

NEWS: Fungi Festival 2012


Contributed by Tom May, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.

Fungi Festival 2012, recently held in Hobart, Tasmania, combined a two-day Symposium on the Conservation and Management of Fungi, a debate on eating wild fungi and a weekend of forays and workshops.

The first day of the Symposium included overviews of the roles of fungi in ecosystems, covering different nutritional groups such as mycorrhizal fungi, lichens, saprotrophs and pathogens. There were also presentations on weedy fungi, managing fire for fungi and vegetation as a surrogate for fungi.

Peter Buchanan, representing the newly formed International Society for Fungal Conservation, shared his experiences of promoting the three F’s (Flora, Fauna and Fungi). An overview of fungal conservation in Australia preceded discussion about a strategy for the conservation of Australian fungi.

The second day of the Symposium focused on the roles of fungi in soil health, compost and food production as well as practical applications of fungi in areas such as mine site restoration, carbon sequestration, biocontrol and germination of rare orchids. Walter Jehne highlighted how lack of fungi in agricultural systems can lead to a reduction in the nutritional value of food.

On Friday evening, the debate on ‘Eating wild fungi: fun or foolhardy’ provided an entertaining mix of opinions about the topic, with audience acclamation supporting the ‘fun’ side.

 A group of fungi enthusiasts looking at images during Sarah Lloyd’s workshop on slime moulds in the Tarkine Hotel, Corinna. Photo: Tom May.

Over the weekend there was a variety of forays and workshops. Topics covered included identification of different groups of fungi and techniques for documenting and surveying fungi. There was also a foray for children—with a search for smelly, slimy and tiny fungi!

Fungi Festival 2012 was organised by Fungimap and NRM South (the natural resource management agency for southern Tasmania). The success of Fungi Festival 2012, with several hundred participants, suggests that it could become a regular event. In addition to the demand for learning opportunities about fungi, there is certainly scope for further discussions about utilising fungi in restoration, and for connecting researchers and practitioners in this area.

This article is an abridged version of a report that will appear in the next edition of Australsian Plant Conservation.  

INVITATION TO COMMENT: horse riding in NSW national parks & reserves


The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage has released the Draft strategic directions for horse riding in NSW national parks and reserves, to guide the provision of improved horse riding opportunities.

Interested members of the public are invited to make submissions by 30 June 2012.