A new seed production garden designed to safeguard Kangaroo Island’s endangered flora from extinction officially opened earlier this month (9 July).
Welcoming the Threatened Flora Seed Production Garden, Deputy Premier and Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, Susan Close said the garden would grow the Island’s at-risk species before collecting the seed for banking and biodiversity recovery projects.
Ms Close said the garden was established in response to the 2019/20 fires by a partnership between the South Australian Seed Conservation Centre, the Nature Conservation Society of South Australia and environmental charity Bio R.
“The garden will enable landholders and community organisations to access rare and threatened plant species following fires, droughts and floods,” she said.
“It is also expected to be used as an education hub where researchers, school students and eco-tourists can learn about the Island’s plants and the importance of conservation and biodiversity.”
Ms Close said a Friends Group would be established to assist with the ongoing running of the garden where more than 60 local plant species would be grown.
“This new garden is an innovative way to protect Kangaroo Island’s unique threatened flora,” she said.
“This will enable the partners and volunteers to germinate and propagate plants from the seed bank collection.
“This will act as an insurance policy against future extinctions that could occur through climate change impacts such as fire, drought and flood.”
Ms Close said the 5,000 square metre animal-proof enclosure for the garden was located within the Cygnet Park Sanctuary (pictured).
