Kickstarting restoration readiness of Threatened Ecological Communities through national conservation and local collaboration
Across Australia, over 100 ecological communities are threatened with extinction.
SeedReady Communities links six conservation seed banks with local people to safeguard priority plants, unlock the germination knowledge, and strengthen our capacity to restore these special ecosystems in the future.
This project is proudly supported by the Australian Geographic Society as the Gold Tier recipient of the 2026 Australian Geographic Awards for Nature.
More than saving species
For more than 15 years, we have worked to safeguard Australia’s native flora, often one threatened species at a time.
Our SeedReady Communities Project takes the next step. Plants do not exist in isolation. They form communities connected to other species, landscapes and the people who care for them.
Yet many Threatened Ecological Communities remain poorly represented in conservation seed banks, and we lack the knowledge needed to effectively grow stored seed.
SeedReady Communities is helping close that gap by bringing seed conservation, research and local stewardship together.
Project Aims
By the end of 2028, the SeedReady Communities Project aims to
Collect
We'll collect seed from 31 priority plant species across six threatened ecological communities and significant bioregions
Conserve
Seed will be stored in conservation seed banks, creating long-term resource for future research & recovery
Germinate
Where enough seed is available, we will study the conditions and treatments needed to unlock germinate secrets of each species
Engage
We will work alongside First Nations organisations, Landcare groups, young people and local communities to build conservation skills and learn about conservation in their own backyard
Share
Collection and germination data will be made openly available through the Australian Virtual Seed Bank Portal, helping restoration practitioners, researchers and land managers put it to use
Threatened Ecological Communities
Six places, one national effort
A pilot for something bigger
SeedReady Communities is an important pilot project. By testing this approach across six different landscapes, we can learn what works, and demonstrate how nationally coordinated seed conservation can strengthen locally led ecosystem recovery.
Our ambition is for the lessons, tools and relationships developed through this project to provide a blueprint for improving restoration readiness across other Threatened Ecological Communities.
We encourage organisations and corporate partners to join us in growing this work, helping to equip more communities with the resources, knowledge and networks needed to restore and recover threatened ecosystems. Contact us to discuss how you can be involved.
Follow our journey
Over the next two years, we’ll be sharing the collecting trips, conservation challenges, scientific discoveries and the people power behind our project. Check back soon for more.
Recent news
On 10 September 2026, SeedReady Communities was officially launched at the Australian Geographic Awards for Nature ceremony, held at the Australian Museum in Sydney. Our National Coordinator, Dr Kathryn Eyles, accepted the $50,000 Gold Tier Award alongside Dr Nathan Emery from the Australian PlantBank, marking an exciting start to the project and celebrating the national collaboration that will drive the work ahead.
Photographs of the Awards for Nature ceremony by Giovanni Portelli reproduced courtesy of Australian Geographic
Partners
This project is coordinated by the Australian Seed Bank Partnership and delivered by these key organisations
National Seed Bank
Australian National Botanic Gardens
Alice Springs Desert Park
Department of Tourism and Hospitality
The Australian PlantBank
Australian Botanic Garden, Mt Annan, Botanic Gardens of Sydney
Western Australian Seed Centre, Kings Park
Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority
South Australian Seed Conservation Centre
Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium of South Australia
Victorian Conservation Seedbank
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
Media resources
Information and content about SeedReady Communities.