By MARG APPLEBEEL
CENTRAL WEST LACHLAN LANDCARE
We are fortunate to welcome Nathan Emery and Laura Watts from the Botanic Gardens of Sydney to provide workshops in Parkes and Forbes last month.
Nathan, a Research Scientist, is the Manager of the Seedbank and Conservation Collections for the Botanic Gardens of Sydney.
His colleague, Laura Watts, works as the Collections Development Coordinator.
Latest Stories
They are both based at Mount Annan.
Nathan and Laura discussed seed collecting strategies such as preserving genetic diversity, how to collect seeds, process collections, and seed germination strategies.
There was also an opportunity to check out some of the tools of the trade that are used in the field for seed collecting.
The Botanic Gardens of Sydney conducts seedbanking as a core activity, with the state-wide conservation seed program having operated for over 20 years.
With around 13,000 collections and 5,200 species the seed collection is the largest of its type in Australia and provides the essential seed collections which forms the ‘heart’ of conservation and restoration activities and outcomes.
Attendees had the opportunity to take home tubestock for plantings.
Parkes attendees undertook a field walk to look at the diversity of native plantings that we have surrounding the town.
In Forbes, the workshop was held at the Forbes Riverside Garden and this was an opportunity to also walk through the tree plantings that are adjacent to the Garden that are native, but not necessarily local species.
There was overwhelming support for a return visit to the Central West from the Botanic Gardens team, hopefully with an opportunity to undertake some collection.
These events are possible thanks to the shared work of the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust and Landcare NSW under the Private Land Conservation Matters project.
Protecting biodiversity on private lands also plays a vital role in maintaining ecological balance, improving land productivity, and enhancing water quality, all of which directly benefit both the landowners and the broader community.
Private Land Conservation Matters (PLCM) is Stage 2 of Landcare NSW’s partnership program with the BCT, building on the success and lessons learned from the 2020-22 Project, including increased awareness of the BCT’s roles and responsibilities amongst the Landcare community.
If you are interested in being part of future events and projects, please make sure that you register to receive our newsletter that will provide information on upcoming events.
For further information on this article, please go to www.centralwestlachlanlandcare.org, twitter, facebook or Instagram @cwllandcare or contact Marg Applebee on 0418 611 053.
