A Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (RBGV) scientist has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to plant conservation, receiving a prestigious Australian Plant Award for her work protecting Australia’s threatened flora.

Dr Noushka Reiter, who leads RBGV’s Orchid Conservation Program and the Preventing Extinction of Victoria’s Threatened Flora program, was honoured for her pioneering research into the conservation of endangered plant species, particularly native orchids.

Dr Reiter’s work focuses on improving conservation and translocation outcomes by uncovering the complex relationships between plants and their mycorrhizal fungi, pollinators and habitats. Her research is helping safeguard some of Australia’s most vulnerable species from extinction.

“Many of our native orchids are on the brink, and their survival depends on understanding the intricate ecological partnerships that sustain them,” Dr Reiter said.

“This recognition highlights the importance of collaborative, science-driven conservation to ensure these extraordinary species persist for future generations.”

Australia is home to more than 1,800 orchid species, with over 400 found in Victoria alone, many of which occur nowhere else in the world. However, the loss of habitat, invasive species, grazing, illegal collection, climate change and altered fire regimes have driven significant declines. Orchids now account for 17 per cent of all nationally threatened plant species.

Under Dr Reiter’s leadership, the Orchid Conservation Program has grown into the largest initiative of its kind globally. The program has achieved more than 50 successful reintroductions of over 20 endangered orchid species across Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia, involving tens of thousands of plants.

Her team has also pioneered advances in plant propagation, optimising symbiotic propagation techniques for more than 90 threatened species, including those previously considered impossible to cultivate. This work is underpinned by one of Australia’s most significant ex situ collections of threatened flora, encompassing more than 220 species and over 30,000 individual plants.

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Director and Chief Executive Chris Russell said the award recognises both scientific excellence and real-world conservation impact.

“Dr Reiter’s work exemplifies the role of science in addressing biodiversity loss. Her leadership has positioned Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria at the forefront of orchid conservation not only in Australia, but globally,” he said.

This latest recognition builds on Dr Reiter’s previous accolades, including the 2023 Eureka Prize for Excellence in Botanical Science.