The full-day workshop brought together Landcare members, representatives from NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and volunteers from the Southern Tablelands Tree Start Growers Network, to build their knowledge of best practice native seed collection and use. Attendees were guided through the nationally recognised Florabank Guidelines by special guest presenter Kelly Stubbs, founder of Wagtail Natives Nursery and passionate educator in native seed collection and propagation.

Kelly led participants through several Florabank training modules, covering topics including seed collection, harvesting methods, storage and the role of local provenance seed in successful revegetation projects. With Florabank training no longer available online, the face-to-face session provided a valuable opportunity for participants to gain knowledge and skills from an experienced practitioner.

This pilot training workshop forms part of Landcare's long-term vision to develop a “Seed Spotters Network” of skilled volunteer seed collectors across the Southern Tablelands, strengthening the supply of locally sourced native seed to support local revegetation efforts.

The overwhelming attendance on the day demonstrated the region's interest in restoring and protecting local landscapes, with Landcare hoping it can offer more training opportunities like this in the future.

Special thanks to Wagtail Natives Nursery and Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council for supporting this event, as well as sponsors in the NSW Government Koala Strategy and Landcare Enabling Program Phase 3 Innovations and Partnerships Grant Program.

Florabank training participants examine some native plant and seed samples on the day.