Introduction

In recent times there has been a burgeoning emphasis on community-driven conservation. The ANPC plays an increasingly vital role in:

bringing information, such as the results of scientific research, to conservation practitioners
developing and promoting best practice
forming positive partnerships between community, industry and government through networking

The conference was for all those interested or involved in plant conservation including:

community groups
interested individuals
botanic gardens
conservation agencies
land managers
landholders
industry environmental officers
researchers
students
local government

The conference was an opportunity for all those interested or involved in plant conservation to:

promote the practical applications of your research
showcase your practical projects
help set priorities for future directions in practice, education, research and policy
form the partnerships and networks necessary for effective conservation efforts

Organising Committee

Kingsley Dixon, Kings Park and Botanic Garden, WA
Patricia Hogbin, Australian National University
Frank Howarth, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
Brad Micken, Australian Trust for Conservation Volunteers
Jeanette Mill and Fiona Hall, ANPC
Maurizio Rossetto, Centre for Plant Conservation Genetics

Paul Scannell, Albury Botanic Gardens

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Themes

Global to strategic regional approaches
Conservation and restoration of ecological communities
Conservation actions for the forgotten flora (fungi, lichens, algae and bryophytes)
Education - does ANPC need an education strategy?
Research into practice
Partnerships for plant conservation

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Conference Program

Thursday 25th, Friday 26th and Saturday 27th November consisted of paper, poster and workshop sessions, giving delegates the opportunity to set ANPC’s objectives for the next two years. Key speakers included:

Dr Kingsley Dixon, President ANPC, Director, Plant Science, Kings Park and Botanic Garden:
Science Servicing Conservation: Bridging the Divide
Dr David Given, Vice-President ANPC; Manager, International Centre for Nature Conservation, Lincoln University, New Zealand; and Chair, IUCN Species Survival Commission Plant Conservation Subcommittee:
Voyaging Into the New Millennium: Shifting targets and fuzzy logic

Practical Techniques Workshops

On Sunday 28th November the day was devoted to practical techniques workshops. These follow on from the highly successful ANPC Plant Conservation Techniques Course, and are aimed at community groups, landholders and anyone else interested in developing skills in plant conservation.

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Field Trips and Tours

1) Pre-conference tours, Wednesday 24th November, 12 noon - 5.30pm

The Rock Nature Reserve A rock outcrop with interesting plant associations, threatened species and spectacular walks. $35 per person
Lower Ovens River Boat Cruise (limit 12 people) The pick of the wetlands and floodplain vegetation of north-east Victoria. $70 per person

2) Mid conference field trip, afternoon, Saturday 27th November

For this trip we visited Nail Can Hill, a local patch of remnant vegetation with a diverse understorey, which should be presenting a good floral display. Several threatened species occur in the area. Included in registration cost.

3) Post-conference tours: One day tours, Monday 29th November, 8.30am - 5.30pm

Wirraminna Environmental Education Centre and Annandayle Sth Learning from Farmers project. $40 per person
Chiltern Box Ironbark National Park One of the few remaining large Box Ironbark areas, and home to threatened species, including the feature species of the conference - Caladenia concolor. $40 per person
Mt Buffalo National Park One of Australia's oldest Parks. Montane forests, sub-alpine woodlands and alpine herbfields interspersed with various recreational facilities. Main attractions - wildflowers, non-vascular plants, spectacular scenery. $50 per person

4) Three day tour to Kosciuszko National Park. Departs early Monday 29th November, returning to Albury Wednesday 1st December.

This tour will be an inspirational experience that will long be remembered. We will travel through the western slopes, tablelands, montane subalpine and alpine bioregions, providing an opportunity to see a wide range of regional floras. In Kosciuszko National Park we will walk through the alpine area around Mt Kosciuszko. This walk will take you through a diversity of land forms associated with the long history of mountain uplifts, and rocks dating back to Cambrian times. The diversity of landforms has provided for the establishment of a very significant and beautiful alpine flora. This flora has for many years been of global interest as it is composed of two groups of species - those which have counterparts in the more extensive mountains of other continents, and those which are uniquely Australian. The flora is abundant in diversity of forms, colours and adaptations providing a floral display in summer which is the equal of any to be found around the world.There are some 220 herbaceous alpine species in the area, of which 66 species are the only representatives of their genus and 23 species the only representatives of their family. With some 26 strict endemics in the alpine and upper subalpine flora, the degree of endemism (11%) is significant in comparison with alpine floras elsewhere. Many rare and interesting species will be seen in habitats of the high peaks, exposed cols, fast flowing streams, bogs and fens, extensive rock crags, and around glacial lakes, while the extensive vistas will inspire all who take this excursion. Kosciuszko National Park has undergone an extensive alpine restoration program, which commenced in the 1950s. This is one of Australia's most extensive and longest-running restoration programs.

$350 per person twin share. $440 per person single accommodation. Price includes hotel accommodation, park entry fee and all meals.

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Conference sponsors

The conference was kindly supported by the following organisations:

Albury Botanic Gardens and Albury City Council
ANPC South West Slopes Regional Group
Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra
Centre for Plant Conservation Genetics, Southern Cross University
Friends of the Albury Botanic Gardens
Endangered Species Program (a program of the Natural Heritage Trust)
Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Perth
Murray Catchment Management Committee
Dept. or Natural Resources and Environment, Wodonga

Venue and Accommodation

The region surrounding Albury/Wodonga is one of the most extensively altered landscapes in the country. Most vegetation types are highly fragmented and poorly reserved; biodiversity values are high and the critical role of natural vegetation in productive landscapes is beginning to be acknowledged. Native grassy woodlands are prominent features of the plains country in the region. The inland slopes of the Great Dividing Range support box woodlands and dry open forests of stringybark and ironbark, with a diverse understorey of native peas, orchids, lillies and grasses.

Lake Hume Resort offers a relaxed rural atmosphere by Lake Hume. A wide range of accommodation options is available to suit all budgets, from camping through self-contained cabins to motel units.