Oct 21, 2026 | Events Category
Plant Conservation Australia held a WA Priority Flora Workshop on 12 October 2026 at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attraction’s (DBCA) Keiran McNamara Conservation Science Centre in Perth. The aim of the workshop was to identify and begin scoping project opportunities related to the conservation status assessment of Priority Flora in Western Australia, to facilitate threatened species listings or removals from the Priority Flora list.
Presenters included PCA committee member David Coates providing background, workshop objectives and future directions, various DBCA staff working in this area, Stephen van Leeuwen from Curtin University on Indigenous perspectives and Alicia Michael from Rio Tino providing an industry perspective. Thank you to DBCA, the Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute and Rio Tinto for supporting the workshop, and to everyone for their enthusiastic participation!
Background
The definition of Priority Flora in WA refers to native plant taxa that are potentially rare or threatened, but do not yet have formal legal status as Threatened Flora under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 . They are maintained on a special list by the DBCA to guide research, survey efforts, and environmental impact assessments.
The DBCA classifies Priority Flora into four main categories based on how well-known they are and their level of threat:
- Priority 1: Poorly-known species (few locations, no conservation lands)
- Known from very few locations (generally 5 or fewer).
- None of the populations are on lands managed for conservation (e.g., found on pastoral/agricultural land, road reserves, or active leases).
- Often under immediate threat of habitat loss or degradation.
- Priority 2: Poorly-known species (few locations, some on conservation lands)
- Known from very few locations (generally 5 or fewer).
- At least some populations are located on lands managed for conservation, though they still face potential risks.
- Priority 3: Poorly-known species (several locations)
- Known from several locations, some of which may be on conservation lands.
- The plant populations are spread out or not yet thoroughly surveyed, meaning more data is needed before they can be evaluated for a threatened listing.
- Priority 4: Rare, Near Threatened and monitored species
- Considered adequately surveyed and known.
- Do not currently meet the criteria to be listed as threatened, or have been recently removed from the threatened list.
- Require regular monitoring to ensure their status does not decline.
Oct 22, 2026 | Events Category
In August and September 2026, Plant Conservation Australia brought together people working in threatened plant conservation for two workshops in Orbost and Horsham, as part of the Preventing Extinction of Victoria’s Threatened Flora project. This project is led by the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and is reaching its final stages after three years. You can learn more about the project to protect 24 different plant species across eastern and western Victoria here.
The workshops were a great opportunity to hear directly from researchers and conservation practitioners about the learnings from this research and how they are being translated into action. We heard from researchers at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and La Trobe University about genetics, pollination, seed science, horticulture, propagation, translocation and the role of mycorrhizae and rhizobia in threatened plant conservation. We also heard from Parks Victoria and the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action about the practical realities of conservation on the ground.
In Orbost, the day finished with a visit to Moogji Nursery and learning about Moogji Aboriginal Council’s threatened plant work and we had the chance to see the nursery in action. In Horsham we heard from Elizabeth Mace from Dalki Garinga Native Nursery which is overseen by Barengi Gadjin Land Council about their work in conservation across the region.
Across both workshops, conversations turned to the future: what are the gaps in our knowledge and capacity? Where are the opportunities for collaboration? What action is needed, and how can we better coordinate and resource it?
The discussions highlighted the value of bringing researchers, land managers, Traditional Owners, community conservation groups and others together — because preventing extinction takes more than good science. It takes connection, collaboration and collective action.
Oct 22, 2026 | Events Category
Plant Conservation Australia delivered a one-day Threatened Plant Translocation Workshop at Charles Sturt University in Albury on 18 June 2026, facilitated by PCA Project Manager Caitlin Griffith. It formed part of the two-day Mallee to the Mountains – Securing Threatened Species and Ecosystems in South West NSW Forum, led by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
The workshop brought together around 30 conservation practitioners, researchers and government staff to explore what it takes to plan and deliver successful threatened plant translocations. Participants heard from leading experts in genetics, ecology, policy and on-ground conservation, with engaging case studies showcasing lessons learned from translocation projects across Australia. Download the Workshop Program here.
The day concluded with a hands-on planning exercise, giving participants the opportunity to apply their learning and exchange ideas with colleagues from across the conservation sector.
The workshop was built around the Guidelines for the Translocation of Threatened Plants in Australia, available on the Plant Conservation Australia website. If your organisation is interested in building knowledge and skills in threatened plant translocation, Plant Conservation Australia can also deliver this workshop in person or online for your team or community. Get in touch with us to learn more.
Aug 7, 2026 | Events Category
There’s only a few weeks to go before APCC15 in Port Douglas, and this coming week is the final week for registrations to attend in person – registrations for virtual attendance will stay open up until the start of the conference.
This is your final chance to get the full APCC15 experience in Queensland’s spectacular Wet Tropics. The deadline will not be extended.
We’ve got a packed lineup of presentations as you can see in our preliminary program – now available online.
Get in quick before the registration deadline of 14 August.
Hope to see you there!
Apr 17, 2026 | Events Category, News
Early bird registration for Australasia’s premier plant conservation conference, APCC15, is now open! To register fill in the form here: https://www.anpc.asn.au/apcc15-early-bird-registration-form/
The conference will be held at the Port Douglas Community Hall in the stunning Queensland Wet Tropics from 24-28 August 2026.
With the overall theme ‘Plant Conservation: Culture, Collaboration and Change’ APCC15 will explore these three spheres of native plant recovery through rainforest restoration partnerships, collaborations with Traditional Owner groups, impacts of climate change induced natural disasters, management of threatened species and communities, and biosecurity threats such as Myrtle Rust.
The conference will bring together from across the continent, people researching, working, or volunteering in plant conservation to address the challenges facing Australasia’s spectacular and diverse plant life, through information exchange and sharing best practice approaches. There will also be numerous workshops, social events and field trip options, which you can find more by clicking here to visit the conference webpage.
The early bird discount ends 29 May.
Abstract submission is also open! The themes are: Sustaining Diversity, Restoring Balance, Collaborations and Culture and Biosecurity, Invasive Threats and Post-invasion Challenges
The abstract submission form can be found here (word doc). The submission deadline is 1 May.
We’re looking forward to seeing you there!
Oct 31, 2025 | Events Category
The Annual General Meeting of the Australian Network for Plant Conservation Inc. (ANPC) will be held on Wednesday 26 November 2025, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm (Australian Eastern Daylight-Saving Time) via Zoom.
GUEST SPEAKER: Yen Longo (Hons to Masters pathway student, La Trobe University). Presentation title: “Clonality and Reproductive Capacity in Three Critically Endangered Victorian Shrubs“
The link to the paperwork including the draft Agenda can be viewed and downloaded here AGM 2025 external. Please note, an email will be circulated closer to the date when all the meeting papers and Final Agenda are available at the same link.
All current ANPC members are encouraged to attend in a voting capacity to ensure we reach a quorum, and to hear about what the ANPC has achieved over the last year. This includes individual members and representatives of organisational members. To check your membership status, please contact the office at anpc@anc.asn.au.
Election of Office-bearers and ordinary Committee members
Executive and Committee members hold their positions for two years from election, with limited repeat terms in a single position as specified in Rule 15 (3) – see the Constitution on the ANPC website.
Nominations are now open for the following positions on the ANPC Committee of Management:
- Vice President
- Secretary (please see our advert here to find out more – this is a great opportunity to gain Executive Not-for-profit Committee experience and expand your networks!)
- Treasurer
- Ordinary members (7 positions)
If you wish to nominate, members should have received a nomination form via email earlier in the week. Get in touch with us if you cannot find it.
Please RSVP to the Secretary at secretary@anpc.asn.au by Wednesday 19 November 2025. This will greatly assist us in preparing a successful AGM. You will then receive the Zoom link in a calendar invite.
