Lofty Legacies is our new conservation initiative made possible thanks to the generous donors from our 2024 Seeds of Our Cities Appeal, and matched funding from the Wild Country Environmental Fund.
Led by the South Australian Seed Conservation Centre, this project will focus on two endemic grass species — Cleland’s Wallaby-Grass (Rytidosperma clelandii) and Shade Tussock-Grass (Poa umbricola) — found in the Mount Lofty Ranges, on the peri-urban fringe of Adelaide.
Through targeted seed collection, storage, propagation, and community involvement, Lofty Legacies will safeguard the genetic diversity of these species for future restoration and education, ensuring that Adelaide’s unique biodiversity continues to thrive for generations to come.
Project Aims
- Collect and bank at least 5,000 seeds per species in the Mount Lofty Ranges.
- Safeguard genetic diversity through long-term seed storage in secure conservation seed banks.
- Conduct germination testing and develop propagation protocols for both species.
- Produce at least 100 viable seedlings per species for conservation plantings.
- Translocate seedlings to remnant Stringybark Woodland at Mount Lofty Botanic Garden.
- Engage community members and volunteers in seed collection and conservation activities.
Project outcomes
This project will run from June 2025 to December 2026, but check back soon for some updates!
