Growing plants from seed sourced from a wide range of provenances is a key strategy in YAN’s Climate Ready Revegetation project. A common question we hear is: Will plants grown from seed collected far away actually thrive in our region?

To help answer this, we established an experimental trial in 2021 using three species— Eucalyptus melliodora (Yellow Box), Acacia deanei (Deane’s Wattle) and Dondonaea viscosa (Sticky Hop Bush). The trial compares the 3- to 5-year survival rates of plants grown from local versus non-local seed sources.

Hosted by volunteers on private land, the trial includes two large sites with over 500 plants each and six smaller sites with either 84 or 126 plants, totalling 1,710 plants planted in winter 2021. Every November/December, trial hosts monitor their plantings, recording whether each plant is alive, dead, or uncertain. So far, results continue to show comparable survival rates between local and non-local seed sources.

Last week, six trial hosts gathered to discuss the latest results and share their observations. It was exciting to see Acacia and Dodonaea flowering and setting seed at multiple sites. However, Sticky Hop Bush has struggled with the recent higher-than-average wet years, disappearing entirely from some locations. Kangaroos have also posed a major challenge, causing significant damage at several sites.

Despite the heat, we had the chance to walk through Geoff and Sheridan’s trial site, where some plants are now towering above us! Enthusiasm remains high, with trial hosts keen to continue monitoring their sites into the future.

If you would like to find out more about YAN’s Climate Ready Revegetation Project, check out our project page, or get in touch: [email protected]

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This 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.

Written by Sonya Duus, Climate Ready Revegetation Project Officer

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>> Where does YAN's Climate Ready Seed Come From?

The Friends of Yass Gorge have been hard at work this autumn, tackling weeds and helping to maintain the health of this unique and important natural space.

The Yass Gorge is home to a critically endangered ecological community — the Natural Temperate Grassland. Protecting this area means actively managing and controlling non-native plant species that threaten the balance of the ecosystem.

Weed Control Efforts

Recent efforts have seen a major focus on woody weed control throughout the gorge. With the support of Yass Valley Council, who not only provided funding for the herbicide but also joined in the spraying work, the team has made significant progress:

• - 1200 litres of woody weed spray were applied between Flat Rock Crossing and the Gorge entrance on both sides of the Yass River.
• - 250 litres of woody weed spray were used between the Pumping Station and Grampian Street on the western side of the river.

Weeds targeted included a range of non-native species such as:

• - Blackberry
• - Cotoneaster
• - Wild plum
• - Lucerne tree
• - Box Elder

Spraying these invasive plants isn't as simple as it sounds. Taller weeds were carefully cut down first, and herbicide was painted directly onto the plant stumps within 30 seconds of cutting. This method prevents collateral damage to native species, like the young eucalypts that have sprung up since the last flood.

Exciting News for Native Fish

In addition to the weed control efforts, there's more exciting news for the Gorge! Native fish species have been reintroduced into the Yass River, with Murray Cod and Golden Perch fingerlings released into three weirs:

• - Main Weir
• - Riverbank Park Weir
• - Railway Weir

This initiative helps to restore native fish populations and improve the overall health of the river ecosystem.

Get Involved!

Are you passionate about keeping this special piece of land in the heart of Yass in the best possible condition? The Friends of Yass Gorge are always looking for more hands to help with their important conservation work. Whether it’s tackling weeds, supporting habitat restoration, or monitoring wildlife, there’s a way for everyone to get involved.

Reach out to the Yass Area Network of Landcare Groups coordinator [email protected] to find out how you can lend a hand. Let’s work together to protect and preserve the Yass Gorge for generations to come.

written by Ross Webster & Sarah McGrath, Local Coordinator

The majority of the plants grown in YAN’s nurseries are ‘Climate Ready’. This means they are local species that have demonstrated the ability to survive in a hotter climate (you can read more about how we assess species here). The second key factor is that we source seed from both local and non-local ‘provenances’ (places) to maximise genetic diversity, helping plants adapt to climate change over generations.

Seed sourcing for 2024–25

In the most recent batch of seed grown by YAN nurseries (covering spring 2024- autumn 2025), there were 278 seed collections, and 259 from known provenances. There was an average of 7 seed collections (mostly from different provenances) per species; while one newly added species had seed from only one provenance, well-established species had seed from as many as 13 provenances. Mapping seed provenances helps us assess our species distribution coverage and identify areas where additional seed sourcing is needed.

But where exactly are the ‘non-local’ provenances?

Scientists have identified various provenancing strategies suited to different ecological and project goals (you can read more about provenancing strategies here and here). The chosen provenancing strategy guides decisions on seed sourcing.

YAN’s Climate Ready Project has adopted an ‘admix’ provenancing strategy, with a ‘climate-adjusted’ bias. This means that we are focused on maximising genetic diversity by sourcing seed from a wide range of provenances within the species distribution (the focus of an admix approach). We also prioritise seed from areas with climates similar to Yass’s projected future conditions—our 'climate-adjusted' bias. We source seed from commercial suppliers, ensuring it comes from the eastern mainland states and territories—NSW, ACT, Victoria, and Queensland.

 Images: Examples of species distributions and our seed provenances

If you would like to find out more about YAN’s Climate Ready Revegetation Project, check out our project page, or get in touch: [email protected]

written by Sonya Duus, Climate Ready Revegetation Project Officer

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This 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.

Using locally-sourced seed has long been considered best practise when it comes to restoring native vegetation. But climate change is requiring us to question how well-adapted our local plant populations will be in the near future. Before roads, suburbs, crops and other barriers were established, plants were able to disperse across the landscape, creating new genetic combinations for natural selection to work on. In this way, vegetation has been able to adapt to past (slower) climate changes including ice ages and increasing aridity.

For over six years, a dedicated group of people have been giving serious thought to what temperature and rainfall changes mean for Landcare nurseries in the Yass area. These nurseries are run by volunteers. The plants are intended for long-term ecological restoration, so it is important for the material to be as ‘climate-ready’ as possible.

Climate modelling has predicted that our region is going to be hotter and dryer. For example, in 25 years, Canberra’s climate is likely to resemble that of Cootamundra if emissions are not curbed.

Starting with the list of local indigenous plants currently grown in the nurseries, the team identified those that have a natural distribution that extends into regions that approximate our future climate. These are most likely to have a tolerance of future climatic conditions. Of the 90 species have been analysed in this way, about two thirds seem likely to be able to tolerate warmer, drier conditions.

The analysis assists the nursery managers to choose species. The strategy is to obtain seed of natural populations from their entire geographic range, including the hot part of their range. This ‘admixture’ strategy provides a diverse genetic base for natural selection and adaptation in the future. There are too many other factors beyond temperature and drought tolerance to be able to predict the most favoured genetic combinations — nature will tell us eventually.

The time and effort that Landcare members have freely given to species selection, seed sourcing and growing these climate-ready plants, should be appreciated. This best takes the form of caring for the plants once they are in your hands. Choosing the planting site ahead of delivery is vital, so tubestock can go into the ground quickly once it leaves the nursery. This applies to all native plantings if the aim is permanent improvement of the local environment. The true value of climate-ready plantings will be when they regenerate and provide ongoing opportunities for adaptation.

Sites that are suitable would include:

Depleted native vegetation – Past clearing and grazing may have reduced population size and numbers of species, but these sites are ideal for supplementary planting.

Around existing remnant vegetation – Plantings are very effective if they serve to increase the area of native vegetation, and boost the size of existing native populations.

Pasture dominated by native grasses – An abundance of Kangaroo, Wallaby or other native grasses indicates that the ecosystem would support regenerating populations of trees and shrubs. Do not apply herbicides or deep-ripping in the last two situations – this will promote weeds and reduce the diversity of grasses and herbs. Plantings that are very dense will also reduce ground layer diversity.

Avoid:

Places with a history of repeated cultivation and fertilizer – although these are most likely suitable if they have been grazed for 10-20 years, without fertilizer addition.

Exotic perennial pastures - A strong presence of Phalaris, Fescue, Cocksfoot, clovers etc will inhibit establishment and future regeneration of native plants.

Fenceline plantings less than 30 m wide – Narrow plantings will not allow viable native vegetation to establish in an agricultural landscape.

Plants are available in autumn to financial members of Landcare. Visit yan.org.au to link to your local group, and for links to further information on planting methods and strategies. The ‘Projects’ tab on the home page has a wealth of detail about the ‘Climate Ready Revegetation Project’.
Join now, and get cracking!

Written by Sue Mcintyre

gang-gang-gundaroo.com

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>> Exploring Local Climate Futures

>> Climate Ready Reveegetation Team: Preparing for a Changing Future