Which Bank?
13 May 2010
The Murray Catchment Management Authority (CMA) have developed one of the most extensive, integrated seedbank and revegetation systems in the state of New South Wales.
Supplying provenance native seed ensures that over 3000 kilometres of direct seeding can be undertaken annually by the Murray CMA to restore and revegetate under-represented species.
“Much of the Woodland ecosystems of the NSW Murray Catchment have been in significant loss of understorey shrubs across the landscape , the consequences of this is a lack of structural and species diversity with little or no regeneration”, Martin Driver Catchment Officer for Murray CMA explains.
“The work by the Murray CMA and landholders is to regenerate and restore woodland areas in the Murray Catchment of NSW and is based on principle of selection and protection of the best quality sites, Landholders involved in the program are offered incentives to carry out appropriate management and restoration practices to replant and repair sites”.
Seedbank Services Team:
• The seedbank services team provide information about the species
• Create a network of over 65 seed production areas across the catchment.
• Collect process and store up to 1.5 tonnes of native plant seed every year
• Distribute seed to nurseries, landcare and community groups
• Are responsible for the development and extension of machine direct seed in technology that allows the efficient sowing of up to 2500 hectares of direct seeded shrubs and trees a year across the catchment.
Martin Driver demonstrates direct seeding equipment
The seedbank team and seedbank facilities which include a climate controlled seedbank vault has recently moved to the Murray Valley Field Station located in the Deniliquin region.
Murray CMA and Regional Development Australia Murray will be holding an open day and official launch of the new Murray Seedbank on Wednesday 19 May. Staff from the Murray CMA will be on hand to talk about ways to get involved in replanting or managing native vegetation and grasslands to encourage wildlife, whether it’s in the backyard or on a farm. Alex Anthony the Chair of Murray CMA welcomes the partnership with RDA Murray at Todd’s Road Field Station, “This new home for the Murray Seedbank underpins all the revegetation works for the Murray CMA and is the key to maintaining and extending our unique biodiversity in the area and will provide both future jobs and emerging employment opportunities”.
For information on the Murray Seedbank Open Day please click here to download the paper:
