Rare and threatened species

Overview

Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne has developed a new series of plant display beds to showcase our collection of rare and threatened Australian native plant species.

The Rare and Threatened Species Collection includes plants from five significant ecosystems in Victoria:

• Grampians
• Mallee
• Alpine
• Grasslands
• Gippsland Forest regions

Five secondary schools from the regions were selected to take part in our Rare and Threatened Species Education Program, funded by the George Alexander Foundation.

Students, teachers and their community environment volunteers took part in an education session at RBG Melbourne in the first half of 2009.  The session involved working with educators, botanists and horticulturists to develop skills and understandings around:

• rare and threatened plants
• seed propagation
• planting
• conservation of indigenous habitat and revegetation
• the environment.

Staff from RBG Melbourne visited each participating school in the second half of 2009 to deliver the seedlings propagated by the students earlier in the year. Students were shown effective planting techniques and the seedlings were planted in a suitable location within or close to each school. Participating schools have been given expert advice and are committed to the ongoing care of their new Rare and Threatened plant beds.

Program Objectives

Students and members of their learning community have and will continue to:

• develop an understanding of rare and threatened plants, why plants are rare and threatened and how we can contribute to their survival and conservation
• develop skills in plant propagation and planting
• develop a greater understanding of the environment
• develop a greater understanding of their community and the environmental work that takes place on a local and global level
• contribute to their community by promoting their own environmental endeavours and engaging with local individuals and groups while participating in rare and threatened plant work in their region
• become empowered to make a difference by contributing positively to their local environment (through propagation and revegetation)
• participate in real-life learning opportunities and become decision makers in their local community.

Rare and Threatened Education Program Bookings

A modified version of the Rare and Threatened education program is now available to interested secondary schools on request.

For enquires please email education services or phone (03) 9525 2358.

Supported by:

George Alexander established The George Alexander Foundation in 1972 to:

• support the education of talented young people, particularly those from rural and regional areas; and
• fund environment and conservation initiatives, especially programs which offer practical experience.