Cultivating First Nation Partnerships
North Coast Seed Bank Program
Capacity building - LEP_23_033_NCRLN_12
The issue
The North Coast region faces increasing demand for native seed to support community driven restoration and conservation projects. Aboriginal communities hold valuable cultural and ecological knowledge relating to native plants and landscapes, however opportunities to participate in regional seed collection and seed banking initiatives have been limited. There was also a need to strengthen connections between Aboriginal organisations and existing Landcare Seed Bank Hubs, while identifying training needs, knowledge-sharing opportunities, and pathways for meaningful involvement. Without a coordinated approach, valuable knowledge, skills, and opportunities for collaboration risked being underutilised across the region.
The solution
The North Coast Regional Seed Bank Program established a collaborative approach to First Nations involvement through partnerships between North Coast Local Land Services, North Coast Regional Landcare Network, Seed Bank Hubs, and Aboriginal organisations. Guided by the NCRLN Aboriginal Landcare Officer, the project engaged place-based Aboriginal groups to identify interests, training needs, and opportunities for participation. Two regional workshops were co-designed to combine cultural knowledge sharing with practical training in seed identification, collection, processing, storage, and data management. The initiative also created opportunities for Aboriginal organisations and Landcare Seed Bank Hubs to learn from one another and build long-term relationships.
The impact
The program strengthened pathways for Aboriginal participation in regional environmental stewardship while supporting the long-term sustainability of the North Coast Seed Bank. By creating opportunities for cultural knowledge exchange, training, and collaboration, the workshops helped build local skills and confidence in seed collection and seed banking practices. Connections between Aboriginal organisations and Landcare Seed Bank Hubs were strengthened, laying the foundation for ongoing partnerships and joint activities. The inclusion of cultural knowledge and culturally significant plant species also enhanced the program's relevance and contributed to more inclusive, community-led approaches to restoration and conservation across the North Coast.