Australia is facing an extinction crisis. Climate change, habitat loss, invasive species, and disease are pushing our unique native plants and animals closer to the brink. The devastating bushfires of 2019–20 placed even greater pressure on already vulnerable species, ravaging ecosystems across Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria.
These were fires of unprecedented scale and severity, with catastrophic impacts on south-eastern Australia’s landscapes. In New South Wales alone, more than 5.3 million hectares — around 6.7% of the state — were burnt, including 37% of national parks and 42% of state forests. For many Australians, these fires were a wake-up call, starkly demonstrating the escalating and frightening consequences of a heating climate.
While widespread attention focused on the millions of animals killed or injured, far less recognition was given to the plight of native plants. Some species are adapted to survive fire, but many others — particularly those from cooler, wetter environments — are not, and are now at heightened risk of extinction. Post-fire threats such as grazing by introduced animals add further pressure, making recovery even harder.
Translocation is an increasingly important tool for plant conservation. By collecting seed and germplasm and establishing new or supplementary populations, ecologists can prevent extinction where natural recovery is unlikely.
Kanangra Boyd National Park prior to the 2019/2020 megafire.
Kanangra-Boyd National Park after bushfire.
Project Strategy
Stage one
The Working Together to Secure Threatened Flora in NSW project is a one-year initiative focused on the recovery of five priority plants:
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Dense Cord-rush (Baloskion longipes)
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Bombay Bossiaea (Bossiaea bombayensis)
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Chef’s Cap Correa (Correa baeuerlenii)
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Bredbo Gentian (Gentiana bredboensis)
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Nerriga Grevillea (Grevillea renwickiana)
The project delivers citizen science germplasm collection events, involving volunteers in seed and pollen collection, surveys, and habitat assessments. This material and data are critical for both immediate conservation and long-term recovery planning. A Translocation Plan will also be developed in consultation with stakeholders to guide future establishment of new populations.
Citizen science field days take place across selected National Parks and State Forests in south-eastern NSW, chosen for population suitability, access, and safety. Volunteers are drawn from the Atlas of Life in the Coastal Wilderness, the Budawang Coast Atlas of Life, and TSC’s wider volunteer network, with Traditional Owner groups consulted and invited to participate in surveys and project delivery.
Bossiaea transects with volunteers.
Stage two
This project forms part of an ongoing partnership between the Threatened Species Conservancy (TSC) and the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE). Our overall objective is to recover 34 high priority threatened plant species impacted by the 2019/20 bushfires. These species are currently not funded by State and Federal Governments.
Partners
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Department of Planning and Environment (DPE): State agency leading the Saving our Species program.
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Atlas of Life in the Coastal Wilderness (ALCW): Community project supporting biodiversity recording along the south-east NSW coast.
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Budawang Coast Atlas of Life (BCAL): Community-led biodiversity recording initiative across the South Coast and Ranges.
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Bombay Landcare & Upper Shoalhaven Landcare: Local groups supporting surveys and seed collection.
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La Trobe University: Scientific partner conducting pollen analysis and laboratory studies.
Conservation Status:
Dense Cord Rush, Vulnerable (EPBC)
Bombay Bossiaea, Vulnerable (NSW)
Chef's Cap Correa, Vulnerable (EPBC)
Bredbo Gentian, Vulnerable (EPBC)
Nerriga Grevillea, Endangered (NSW)
Budget $980,000
Funding Received: $135,520 from Federal Government Bushfire Recovery for Wildlife and Habitat Community Grants Program
Duration: 10 years
