In a Western Australian first, local primary school students are working with scientist Dr Andrew Crawford to grow seedlings from threatened native plant species to harvest the seeds they produce.
Woodlupine Primary School students are planting and caring for three Western Australian species which are at risk of possible extinction: Schoenia filifolia subspecies subulifolia (showy everlasting), Bossiaea modesta (pea) and Puccinellia vassica (grass).
Seeds harvested from the plants will be stored in the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ Western Australian Seed Centre.
Established in 1992, the centre stores seeds from Western Australian plants which have conservation significance, maintains a database on seed provenance and biology, and makes threatened seeds available when they are needed for urgent recovery actions.
The seedling project will support the Australian Seed Bank Partnership in its mission to save the nation’s native plant diversity. The partnership brings together experts from Australia’s leading botanic gardens, State environment agencies and non-government organisations to work on solutions to deal with threats facing our biodiversity.
Woodlupine Primary School has a focus on sustainability, and has recycling, waterwise and wastewise initiatives. Last year, school staff connected with Dr Andrew Crawford to see how students could play a real role in protecting WA’s biodiversity, and the project grew from there.
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
“It is great to see these primary students getting their hands dirty with real-world science, which will have benefits for all Western Australians into the future.
“I commend the staff at Woodlupine Primary School, students, and Dr Andrew Crawford for their work on this important project.”
As stated by Environment Minister Stephen Dawson:
“While we regularly hear about work to protect Western Australia’s native fauna, we don’t hear as much about the State’s flora. There are more than 400 plant species in WA that are considered endangered, so it’s important that we work to conserve them.
“It’s really encouraging to see these primary school students engaged with the environment and doing their bit to ensure its future.”
