Summary
Protecting our Forgotten Flora: Grampians Threatened Flora Recovery Program
Summary
The Grampians National Park (Gariwerd) is one of Australia’s most important biodiversity hotspots, supporting nearly 30% of Victoria’s native plants. Among its unique flora are species found nowhere else on Earth, including the Grampians Bertya (Bertya grampiana) and the Grampians Globe-pea (Sphaerolobium acanthos). Both are Critically Endangered and occupy narrow, fragile habitats.
These plants face a real risk of extinction due to small population sizes, lack of monitoring, and threats from climate change, fire, weeds, and habitat disturbance. Surveys for these species are outdated or incomplete, leaving land managers without the data needed to protect them effectively.
This project addresses those gaps by mobilising volunteers, scientists, and land managers to survey, monitor, and raise awareness of these remarkable species before it’s too late.
Project Strategy
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Field surveys and monitoring: Establish long-term monitoring plots and update population records.
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Mapping: Conduct surveys to locate new populations and create accurate distribution maps.
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Threatened species recovery: Provide management recommendations to land managers and Parks Victoria.
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Citizen science: Engage volunteers, Friends of Grampians Gariwerd (FOGG), and the wider community in hands-on survey activities.
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Community education: Deliver a “Plant Evolution Bushwalk” to showcase the region’s unique flora and foster appreciation and support for threatened species conservation.
Key Achievements
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Built strong partnerships with Parks Victoria, DELWP, RBGV, and FOGG to co-design the program.
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Secured volunteer commitment, with more than half of participants being women under 50 and inclusive of people from diverse backgrounds.
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Increased the visibility of Grampians threatened flora through project planning, engagement, and community promotion.
- Located new populations.
Partners
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Threatened Species Conservancy (TSC) – Project leadership
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Friends of Grampians Gariwerd (FOGG) – Volunteer mobilisation and engagement
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Parks Victoria, DELWP, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (RBGV) – Technical support and collaboration
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Community volunteers – Citizen science surveys and awareness
Conservation Status
Grampians Bertya (Bertya grampiana) – Critically Endangered (EPBC, FFG)
Grampians Globe-pea (Sphaerolobium acanthos) – Critically Endangered (Victorian Advisory List)
Costs
