Raising Rarity Schools Conservation Program

Raising Rarity is a dynamic, interdisciplinary project that unites the expertise of our science, horticulture and learning teams to conserve and manage rare and critically endangered plant species facing imminent extinction.

We lead a hands-on conservation initiative with students from schools in both Primary and Secondary settings. By offering direct support, horticultural and scientific expertise, species discovery day incursions and significant touchpoints along the journey; we equip students and staff to take on the cultivation, maintenance and long-term monitoring of a plant species identified as endangered or vulnerable to extinction in their bioregion.

We aim to build capacity and foster a collective responsibility for safeguarding Victoria's threatened plant species. Our mission is to empower communities to take local action from the ground up, nurturing a growing generation of environmental stewards and share the vision and work to protect our state's unique botanical flora.

Program Outline:

  1. RBG Incursion – Species Discovery Day 
  2. RBG Excursion – Research Garden Design and Set Up 
  3. RBG Excursion – Planting out 
  4. RBG Excursion - Plant Monitoring and Maintenance 
  5. RBG Incursion – Celebration Day – Seed Harvest and Handover

Initiating the Raising Rarity program at your school occurs in Term 1 and runs for the whole year. Depending on plant species, Celebration Day occurs in Term 4 or Term 1 of the following year.

Please get in touch with raisingrarity@rbg.vic.gov.au if you have any questions or fill in the Expression of Interest form on this page if you are interested in participating in this program.

Fill out the Expression of Interest form here:

Use the Form

Gallery

These photos illustrate a snapshot of the school experience in the Raising Rarity program

Students take a closer look at different kinds of seeds and flower structures as part of celebratory activities during a Seed Harvest Handover event held at Nakunbalook Environmental and Cultural Education Centre, Sale, Victoria.  

Raising Rarity Project Plants 

These plant species are used in the Raising Rarity program and are specific to the different bioregional hubs we work in.

Xerochrysum palustre is a critically endangered species of perennial, rhizomatous herb that favours swamps and seasonal wetland conditions. It was once widely distributed across southeast Australia. Wild populations are severely diminished due to habitat destruction, weed invasion, road and rail development resulting in disruption to local hydrology. In 2011, the National Recovery Plan stated that only 35 populations are known across NSW, TAS and VIC with some populations consisting of less than 250 plants. 

Partners

The broader Raising Rarity program is proudly supported by the Ian and Shirley Norman Foundation and The City of Casey. 

Ian and Shirley Norman Foundation