CONGRESS: Biennial BGANZ Congress, Plan(e)t Priorities: Regional Realties, Mackay, 8 - 11 October 2009

The BGANZ (Botanic Gardens Australia and New Zealand) Congress hosted by Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens aims to recognize the role and responsibilities of Botanic Gardens as a resource for the future preservation of species, and to support the global effort to retain significant and regionally important plant materials. A series of guest speakers, workshops, keynote presentations and discussion groups will explore these issues.The Congress is expected to attract 200 people from across Australia, New Zealand and further afield. Registrations close 30 September.

CALL FOR ARTICLES: Australasian Plant Conservation

Australasian Plant Conservation is a forum for information exchange for all those involved in plant conservation. Each edition contains a range of articles on plant conservation issues which reflect the interests of the range of ANPC's membership. Regular features include lists of the latest relevant publications, websites, conferences, field work and workshops. It is currently received by more than 700 individuals and organisations within Australia and worldwide.


The ANPC is currently seeking articles for the next edition of the bulletin Australasian Plant Conservation with the theme of Local Government and Plant Conservation. If you know of or are involved with any Local Government projects where the main objective is native plant conservation (eg. threatened species/ecosystems, revegetation/rehabilitation,remnant vegetation management) - please consider promoting these projects through the ANPC. The deadline for articles is 27 November and author guidelines can be found at: http://www.anbg.gov.au/anpc/pdffiles/APCGuideContrib.pdf

To view previous issues:
http://www.anbg.gov.au/anpc/australasian_plant_conservation.html#previous%20issues

Contact the ANPC Project Manager for more information (02) 6250 9523 or anpc@anpc.asn.au

NEW PUBLICATION: 'Plant Germplasm Conservation in Australia, strategies and guidelines for developing, managing and utilising ex situ collections'

Edited by C.A. Offord and P.F. Meagher

Published by Australian Network for Plant Conservation Inc. (ANPC) in partnership with Australian Seed Conservation and Research (AuSCaR)

Launch, Friday 4 September, 2009 at the Native Seed Forum, Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne.

In 1997 the ANPC produced the 'Germplasm conservation guidelines for Australia - an introduction to the principles and practices for seed and germplasm banking of Australian species'. Given the advances in germplasm conservation over the past decade and a call to document these, the ANPC recognised the need to update the guidelines. In partnership with AuSCaR, the ANPC has produced 'Plant Germplasm Conservation in Australia, strategies and guidelines for developing, managing and utilising ex situ collections' (2009). The new publication provides up-dated guidelines and standards for the capture, storage and use of wild plant germplasm for long-term conservation in Australia, including the recovery of threatened plant species and the conservation of genetic diversity in the face of climate change. The guidelines will also be useful for shorter-term projects in the restoration and revegetation industry and community sectors.

For more information on 'Plant Germplasm Conservation in Australia' please contact the ANPC office 02 6250 9523 or anpc@anpc.asn.au

CONFERENCE DATE CLAIMER: Australian Network for Plant Conservation Inc., 8th National Conference 2010

From planning conservation to achieving restoration

28 September to 1 October 2010, Perth, Western Australia


(photo: David Coates)

NATIVE PLANT ID WORKSHOPS (ACT): Australian Network for Plant Conservation Inc. (ANPC)

In late October or November (to be confirmed) 2009 the ANPC will hold two, one-day plant identification workshops in the ACT:

Plant ID - native grasses (beginner - intermediate)
Plant ID - grassy woodlands (beginner - intermediate)


For more information contact the ANPC office 02 6250 9509 or anpc@anpc.asn.au

REVEGETATION PUBLICATION: 'Recreating the Country'

Recreating the Country
A blueprint for the design of sustainable landscapes
By Stephen Murphy

Published by Ballarat Region Treegrowers, Recreating the Country challenges landholders and land managers to consider new ways of thinking about how we might reverse the inexorable decline and disappearance of Australian plants and animals from rural landscapes. While integrating conservation and production has become the catchcry from foresters to dairy farmers, what can be done practically?

This book provides the ‘stretch goals’ and the blueprint for ways of adding habitat and designing more wildlife-friendly properties. It’s set to become the bible for a new form of revegetation – the biorich plantation. Integrated with other forms of vegetation, these plantings would aim to enrich habitat potential across rural landscapes, not just for a lifetime, but in perpetuity.

The book can be purchased for $20 and $5 postage, visit the Australian Forest Growers website.

SYMPOSIUM, WEEDS: Celebrating 20 years, Managing Weeds in a Climate of Change, 10th Queensland Weed Symposium, Yeppoon, Qld, 26 - 29 July 2009

The Weed Society of Queensland's 10th Qld Weed Symposium is an opportunity to network with peers and contemplate the future of weed management.

In 2009 the Weed Symposium returns to Central Queensland where delegates will have the opportunity to consider managing weeds in a climate of change and celebrate 20 years of practical, safe and efficient weed control.

EPBC ACT: Interim Report of the EPBC Act Review and call for public comment

The Australian Government is currently running an Independent review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. The response to the discussion paper has been extensive and in order to identify the broad range of significant issues raised in public submission, an interim report has been prepared. The Interim report of the EPBC Act review outlines the major themes raised in public submissions, the consultation process and the Senate committee inquiry.

As part of the review process they are now seeking public comments on the interim report in general and in particular, on a number of specific areas identified in the report. The report is open for public comment until Monday 3 August 2009.

NATIONAL TREE DAY: Sunday 2 August & Schools Tree Day Friday 31 July

National Tree Day is Australia's largest community tree-planting event. In its 14-year history more than 2 million volunteers have planted over 13 million native trees and shrubs! Tree Day aims to inspire, educate and recruit Australians to actively care for our unique land and create future generations of committed environmental custodians.

Planet Ark is currently seeking individuals to register and run local tree planting and bush regeneration sites. For more information or to register see the Planet Ark website: www.planetark.org

THREATENED SPECIES: Northern Territory - Threatened Species Art & Photography Competition 2009

The Threatened Species Network is seeking artists and photographers to enter this year’s NT Threatened Species Art & Photography Competition.

The theme is ‘threatened species, their habitats and their threats in the NT.’ It is open to all ages and for all mediums with great prizes on offer. Individuals as well as community groups and schools are invited to submit works. Entries close 24 August 2009.

Works will be on display at the Darwin Entertainment Centre Gallery from 7 - 10th September with an official opening and winners announced by Ms Alison Anderson MLA. A selection of winning entries will then be on display at the Alice Springs Desert Park.

Please contact TSN for more details on (08) 8941 7554 or savannas@wwf.org.au

FORUM, Native Seed 3 & 4 September 2009

A 'Native Seed Forum' is to be held at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne as part of the celebrations for the conclusion of the first phase of the Millennium Seed Bank Project in Australia. The dates for the forum are 3rd and 4th September 2009.

The aim of the forum is to deliver to a wider audience the results of nearly ten years of seed conservation work in Australia with help from the Millennium Seed Bank Project, Kew. The forum will also be used to launch 'Plant Germplasm Conservation in Australia' a new text for practitioners and researchers working in the field of ex situ plant conservation. The book is published in partnership with the Australian Plant Conservation Network and launched in time for Threatened Species day on Monday 7th September.

Registration closes 24 July or until sold out. For more information contact Tom North 08 9480 3969 Thomas.north@bgpa.wa.gov.au or Meg Hirst (Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne) 03 9252 2379 Megan.Hirst@rbg.vic.gov.au

LANDCARE: National Network of Landcare Coordinators to Continue

In June the Australian Government announced that the national network of local Landcare coordinators will continue. A total of $33.6 million funding is committed over four years to this project under the Caring for our Country Program.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Mr Tony Burke said, 'the decision followed extensive discussions with local Landcare groups and strong representations from a number of MPs'. From next year as a result of this up to 56 Landcare coordinator positions will be funded across Australia.