Australian Network For Plant Conservation Inc
Successfully completed a project to provide Safe Custody for Native Guava (Rhodomyrtus psidioides) which is at risk of extinction due to Myrtle Rust, with partners across multiple states. Successfully applied to extend the Native Guava project a further six months and initiate a safe custody project for Scrub Turpentine (Rhodamnia rubescens). Collaborated on the inaugural Australasian Myrtle Rust Conference in Sydney. Held a ‘Collective action provides hope for future recovery from Myrtle Rust’ webinar in collaboration with BGANZ. Produced three videos on Myrtle Rust and the Native Guava project. Completed the Plants Going Places project which produced videos and podcasts to share stories of threatened plant translocations in Victoria. Held a free twoday online Plants Going Places Victorian Threatened Plant Translocation Symposium. Started planning the 14th Australasian Plant Conservation Conference to be held in QLD in late 2024. Produced a paper on ex situ germplasm collections of exceptional species (published Sept 2023) Signed an agreement with the QLD Department of Environment and Science on a twoyear pilot project to support threatened plant recovery through the establishment of a Queensland Threatened Plant Network. Commenced a collaboration with Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and other partners to prevent extinction of Victoria’s threatened flora. Continued our field surveys and assessments of species of national significance potentially adversely impacted by the 2019/2020 fires, to prevent rare plant extinction and reduce impacts of future fires in eastern Australia, including surveys of four epiphytic orchids in northern NSW. Promoted the updated Germplasm Guidelines which provide strategies and guidelines for developing, managing and utilising ex situ collections. Promoted the updated national Florabank Guidelines best practice guidelines for native seed collection and use. Promoted the Healthy Seeds Roadmap a strategic plan to improve native seed supply for ecological restoration in NSW. Published four editions of the ANPC bulletin ‘Australasian Plant Conservation’. Shared news and events in plant conservation via Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and the monthly ANPC enews newsletter.