Have you ever wondered about the 'parents' of your Landcare nursery plants?

 

While many YAN Landcare members are placing their orders for autumn tubestock, we’re looking ahead to spring by sourcing the seed we need to produce next year’s genetically diverse climate-ready plants.

 

Careful seed sourcing is a core component of YAN’s Climate Ready Revegetation Program. To maximise genetic diversity, we purposely source seed from across a species’ natural distribution, informed by genetic mapping where it is available (keep reading for more on that).

 

We use Google Earth as a decision-making tool in the process of seed sourcing

 

This approach helps to mimic the natural gene flow that existed before widespread habitat fragmentation. Genetic diversity translates into a variation of plant traits, some of which will be better suited to surviving our changing climate and other environmental pressures. Those that are advantageous will survive and be passed on to the next generation. This is the essence of ‘adaptive capacity’. It means that a plant population can be self-sustaining over the long term.

 

Luckily, with the Restore & Renew (R&R) webtool, we now have information at hand to make sure we are maximising genetic diversity as well as minimising the risk of 'outbreeding depression'—where bringing together genetics that are too different can actually reduce a plant’s fitness. There are currently 100 species on the R&R webtool. While we only grow about 40 species in our nursersies, around a quarter of those—including most of our Eucalypts—are covered by the tool.

 

 

 The Restore & Renew webtool identifies suitable seed collection areas for 100 native plant species

 

Besides considering a species’ natural distribution and the recommended genetic collection area, there are several other practical hurdles. Since we purchase the vast majority of our seed through retailers, we rely on information they can provide. We regularly ask questions such as:

 

• Where was the seed collected? (We aim for around six different provenances per species).
• Is the seed from remnant populations, Seed Production Areas (SPAs), or revegetation sites? (We can’t be sure of the original genetic provenance from reveg areas, and information about the original provenances that go into SPAs is variable).
• Was the seed collected from a healthy stand of vegetation with numerous individuals? (Small, isolated populations have a greater chance of being in-bred).
• What year was the seed collected? (Depending on the species, fresh seed generally has a better germination rate).
• What is the price? (We have a limited budget).
• What quanity is available? (Sometimes there is not enough for our requirements). 

 

In practice, decisions about which seed collections to purchase are a balancing act of these variables, requiring close scrutiny of numerous maps and spreadsheets!

 

Once the seed arrives in the mail, a volunteer conducts germination testing on each new collection, and only those that have viable seed are included in our spring sowing. This coming spring, some of the seed will go to direct seeding, as well as tubestock production. Watch out for more information on that in future blogs.

 

By Sonya Duus, Climate Ready Revegetation Project Officer

 

The Climate Ready Revegetation Project has been assisted by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust. Landcare Australia Michael King grants enable us to purchase seed from diverse provenances.

 

There is a wealth of experience across our region when it comes to revegetation through direct seeding. To tap into this collective wisdom, YAN recently invited practitioners, contractors, seed collectors, landholders and restoration specialists to come together for a Direct Seeding Knowledge Exchange workshop. 

 

Gathered in Gundaroo Hall, the room was rich with stories; the good, the bad, and the little gems of insight that only come from years of practical experience. The aim was simple: learn from one another, distil practical knowledge, and strengthen our approach to building revegetation through direct seeding. 

 

    

 

What we explored 

Across the morning, small and large group discussions covered the full spectrum of direct seeding practice: 

Seed sourcing and species selection 

We discussed what species are best suited to our landscapes, how many to include in a mix, and whether to collect or purchase seed. Participants shared practical advice on choosing species for different soils and landscape positions, and how to balance diversity with cost. 

Getting the job done 

Conversations covered the practical side of direct seeding — working with contractors, preparing sites, spraying, fencing, and planning. Clear planning and good communication were highlighted as essential. 

Looking after the site 

We explored how to manage and monitor sites over time, including thinning, tracking growth, and keeping monitoring meaningful and motivating. Compared with tube stock plantings, direct seeding was noted for its lower ongoing intervention. 

 

   

 

   

 

Key Insights from the Day 

Several powerful insights emerged: 

• - Direct seeding can be done in any season. If the rain isn’t there, the seed still is. When conditions align, plants will emerge. 

• - The cost benefits are significant. From a farm economics perspective, direct seeding often costs less than tube stock planting and requires lower ongoing intervention. 

• - Nature plays a role in selection. Direct seeding allows the landscape to “choose” what works best for that site. 

• - The human benefits matter. There is something deeply rewarding about watching plants jump from the ground, hearing birds return, and feeling country grow healthier and more diverse. 

• - Direct seeding and tubestock planting are complementary. Direct seeding can work in many, but not all situations. There is still a place for tubestock planting. 
•  

Seeing the results at Ambrosia Park 

After lunch, participants travelled 10km outside Gundaroo to Ambrosia Park to see the long-term results of a 2012 Whole of Paddock Restoration (WOPR) project delivered by Greening Australia. 

 

The transformation was striking. Where once there was bare native grassland, now stands a thriving mosaic of trees and shrubs. Over 5,600 eucalypts and more than double that number of acacia species were established, creating shade, habitat and a functioning microclimate. 

 

Graham Fifield from Greening Australia spoke about the original site design, species mix, layout and the ongoing monitoring approach. Current custodians Jess and Rob Garnett shared their joy in watching the site evolve, seeing livestock benefit from shelter, hearing birds return, and witnessing the country grow in resilience. 

 

Standing beneath the canopy, listening to birdsong and feeling the temperature shift under shade, it was a powerful reminder of how dramatic change can occur within a relatively short period of time. 

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

What’s next? 

There is much more to share from this rich day of exchange. We will be distilling the knowledge gathered and incorporating it into our Climate Ready Revegetation and Habitat Hops programs. 

 

If you’re curious about direct seeding, whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your approach, please get in touch. Within the YAN network there is an abundance of experience, practical advice and people willing to help you grow climate-ready landscapes. 

 

   

 

 

Written by Sarah McGrath, Bowning Bookham Coordinator & Sonya Duus, Climate Ready Revegetation Project Officer

 

As Landcarers, we’re often focused on getting things done at the ground level. Informed by the bigger picture, absolutely, but then turning that information into practical action in our local area.

 

Taking a step back to tell our story on camera was a rare opportunity to take more of a birds-eye view of our work; a parallel to the drone footage of a long expanse of revegetation making connections through a highly cleared landscape. It gave us a chance to reflect on what we have achieved through working with our amazing volunteers and connecting up with other groups and organisations, powered by a strong and common concern to do something positive in the face of climate change.

 

  

 

We engaged Suzannah Cowley and her team from Nviro Media to create a short video, funded by our NSW Environmental Trust Grant and YAN. We provided an outline of what we thought should be covered—the people, motivation, ideas, and publicly available resources that make our program possible—with the aim of inspiring others to start their own climate-ready journeys. Suzannah then applied her professional craft to produce an engaging video that delivers a powerful message.

 

  

 

We are really happy with the outcome, and we hope you like it too! We’d love to hear what this inspires in your own patch.

 

 

For more information about YAN's Climate Ready Revegetation Program, check out our webpage: https://yan.org.au/projects/climate-ready-revegetation

 

By Sonya Duus, Climate Ready Revegetation Project Officer

 

The Climate Ready Revegetation Project has been assisted by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust. Landcare Australia Michael King grants enable us to purchase seed from diverse provenances.

The old cliché “when it rains, it pours” perfectly describes the recent opportunities we've had to share YAN’s Climate Ready Revegetation work.

 

Soon after Gill and Sarah’s popular presentation at the National Landcare Conference at the Gold Coast, YAN’s Climate Ready Revegetation work was presented at the Native Seed Diversity & Revegetation Workshop organised by Holbrook Landcare Network, at the AdaptNSW Forum in Sydney (see trip report below), and at a South East Landcare gathering near Nowra.

 

It has been great to share our approach to future-proofing our local landscapes, and equally valuable to learn what other work is being done to prepare, adapt, and build climate resilience.

 

 

Left/top: Climate Resilience Garden at Wirraminna Environmental Education Centre. Located in the Holbrook region, the Centre is well worth visiting!

Right/bottom: A visit to one of Murray Local Land Services' seed production areas in the Holbrook region was very eye opening!

 

AdaptNSW Forum

YAN's Climate Ready Revegetation team was pleased to be invited to present at the 2025 AdaptNSW Forum, held on November 25-26 at the Roundhouse in Sydney.

 

Gill Hall and Sonya Duus attended the forum and presented YAN's work as part of the session titled: ‘Resilient by Design: Adapting nature repair to a changing climate’.

 

In their presentation, ‘Volunteer-driven Climate Ready Revegetation in the Yass Area’, they gave an overview of YAN’s efforts. They focused on the program's foundation in the latest available science regarding climate change projections and genetic diversity, and highlighted the crucial role of volunteers in propagating and distributing climate-ready plants in the Yass area.

 

The presentation was well-received by a large and engaged audience, generating strong interest in our grassroots community efforts towards building ecological resilience.

 

 

Left/top: Gill Hall talking about the motivation behind YAN's Climate Ready Revegetation Program at the AdaptNSW Forum. Photo credit: Elin Bandmann

Right/bottom: Sonya Duus speaking at the AdaptNSW Forum. Photo credit: Lauren Rickards

 

The panel also included Maurizio Rossetto (Research Centre for Ecosystem Resilience, Botanic Gardens of Sydney), David Rissik (Risk and Resilience Specialist, BMT), and Renee Burrow (Big Scrub Rainforest Conservancy). The session was chaired by Michelle Dawson from the Cultural and Ecosystem Climate Change Adaptation Team at the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

 

The session also involved a practical component where attendees were given the chance to explore the newly launched, updated version of the Restore & Renew webtool.

 

  

Left/top: Session participants exploring the updated Restore & Renew webtool

Right/bottom: The updated Restore & Renew webtool being launched at the AdaptNSW Forum 2025

 

The two-day forum's theme was "Other Ways of Knowing, Thinking, Feeling and Doing". It was great to see significant Aboriginal content and a mix of refreshingly mind-stretching concepts and methods alongside more conventional topics. The event provided a valuable opportunity to share information and connect with others working on diverse aspects of climate change adaptation.

 

YAN’s participation at this event was made possible thanks to funding from the NSW Department Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

 

Written by Sonya Duus, Climate Ready Revegetation Project Officer

 

The Climate Ready Revegetation Project has been assisted by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust. Landcare Australia Michael King grants enable us to purchase seed from diverse provenances.