Regional MOU locks in local seeds
Local Land Services & Friends of North Coast Regional Botanical Gardens
Collaborations - LEP_23 _033_NCRLN_12
The issue
The NSW North Coast faces a shortfall in the availability of provenanced native seed and plant material needed to support current and future land restoration initiatives. This shortage presents a barrier to the success of restoration recovery programs, particularly as the region increasingly experiences impacts of extreme weather events. One of the most pressing challenges was the absence of a coordinated, regionally based seed bank. Without an accessible supply of local provenance seed and plant material revegetation efforts are hindered. This issue becomes especially acute in the aftermath of natural disasters such as floods, bushfires, and landslides all of which are becoming more frequent and severe. The inability to respond quickly with suitable material delays recovery. Addressing this gap was essential to ensure the region is equipped to meet both planned and emergency revegetation demands and build climate resilience into North Coast landscapes.
The solution
To address the shortage of local native seed the North Coast Regional Seed Bank began in July 2023 as a partnership project between North Coast Regional Landcare Network, North Coast Local Land Services and Friends of the North Coast Regional Botanical Gardens, supported by funding from Local Land Services. The project aimed at improving the ability of community and industry groups to collect, store, exchange, and supply native plant seed. This project focused on building local capacity across five Landcare Network hubs to collect, store, and supply native plant propagation material in accordance with best practice standards. Community volunteers, including those from the Friends of the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden have played a key role in collecting, processing, and storing seed. In 2024, additional funding from Local Land Services has enabled the expansion of this effort through community training events, which have further increased both the quantity and diversity of seed held in the regional seed bank. This growing, community-driven infrastructure is creating a reliable native seed supply for the region and enhancing the ability to respond rapidly to restoration needs.
The impact
The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on March 15, 2025, between North Coast Regional Landcare Network, Friends of the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden, and Local Land Services marks a significant milestone in securing the future of native seed collection and supply across the North Coast region. This formal agreement solidifies a long-term and collaborative partnership that will strengthen the region’s capacity to support ecological restoration through a reliable, locally sourced seed supply. By clearly outlining the objectives, functions, and shared responsibilities of the North Coast Regional Seed Bank project, the MOU provides a strong governance framework to guide strategic growth, community involvement, and operational effectiveness. The partnership is already generating momentum for landscape-scale impact, enabling coordinated action and knowledge sharing. An official launch event later this year will celebrate this achievement and raise awareness of the critical role this initiative plays.