ANPC’s fourth national conference, held at Lake Hume Resort, Albury Wodonga from 25^th – 29^th November 1999, was a key opportunity for members and non-members alike to influence the direction and activities of ANPC. Six workshops were held during the conference, and the outcomes of each are summarised below. Note that many of these recommendations apply not only to what the ANPC should do as an organisation, but what needs to be achieved by anyone with an interest or stake in conservation. See the current and future issues of Danthonia for reports on how these recommendations are being taken forward, and read more about the conference in the December 1999 issue of Danthonia.

Outcomes are listed for the following sessions:

1. FROM LOCAL TO REGIONAL TO GLOBAL: A STRATEGIC APPROACH

The experiences of the ANPC’s existing regional groups indicate that there is a key role for networking to ensure best practice and strong partnerships for plant conservation at the regional level, and that this is the level at which ANPC could be strongest and most effective. The question which arises therefore is how can ANPC expand and strengthen its network of regional groups without committing members and others to yet more meetings?

• ANPC to establish a working group to consolidate national, regional and local objectives for ANPC.

• Primary objectives are the dissemination and application of science into on-ground projects ("look over the shoulder of a scientist"); overcoming fragmentation and duplication of effort; training; and acting as a conduit for advice.

• Develop an integrated communication strategy involving both electronic (eg a listserver and/or internet chat group, electronic version of Danthonia) and printed media to help reduce numbers of meetings needed.

• Lift profile while being best at networking and advocating the importance of plant conservation. Continue to be inclusive not competitive.

• Seek funding/sponsorship to update the website so it is a key index of information about plant conservation.

• Host plant conservation workshops with other relevant regional conservation organisations such as Landcare, Bushcare network, etc., especially in areas where there is little action, but which are hotspots for biodiversity

Although the ANPC's key sphere of influence should remain Australia, ANPC:

• should maintain contact with other networks in our region
• should have a voice in international networks
• can be a model further afield

• Establish an ANPC working group to review existing restoration guidelines and accredit those which meet best practice. This would include modifying guidelines to take into account gaps, eg. cryptogams and heavy metals.

• Add a module on restoration to ANPC conservation techniques course.

• Develop a list of guidelines, major experts and publications.

• Promote successes in restoration through the establishment of an award.

• Lobby Environment Australia to use the recommended guidelines as a selection criterion for NHT funded restoration projects.

The following are recommended actions generally needed, and are not solely for ANPC to take on:

• Shortage of staffing and other resources available for non-vascular conservation:

• Non-vascular plants suffer from under-valuation and lack of appreciation:

• A list of rare or threatened non-vascular plants is urgently needed, and once developed support is needed in ensuring application of the list

• Research is needed into whether the current protection and legislative system is adequately covering cryptogams

• Ecosystem services and economic impacts of non-vascular plants not realised

ANPC to form a working group to:

• maintain level of interest in and awareness of importance of non-vascular plants and to push forward some of these ideas
• commence list of rare or threatened non-vascular plants

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4. TRAINING AND EDUCATION

There is a clear need for an expansion of the kind of training provided through ANPC’s Plant Conservation Techniques Course. But how can this be achieved given the limited resources available to the National Office?

• There is a need for ANPC members to commit to organising /co-ordinating, and delivering courses as appropriate to their needs and the regions’ needs. Whilst the National Co-ordinator needs to oversee courses being delivered under the ANPC banner to ensure consistency and quality, the courses should be delivered by local people and incorporate relevant local issues.

• ANPC training needs to be focused in a) regions with an environmental need and an ability to provide;

• Continually evaluate the effectiveness of the courses and modify accordingly

• ANPC needs to continue the program of publishing best practice guidelines, as well as publishing research updates, increasing electronic linkages, translating science for practitioners, running science communication courses, and training science presenters to focus on outcomes.

• Researchers need to use plain language, form partnerships and links with other organisations and the media and relate to practitioners.

• ANPC needs greater presence in professional organisations and more professionals need to become involved in ANPC.

• ANPC needs to compile and make available information on current relevant research and outcomes, eg. seek outcomes of funded works from Environment Australia, use Danthonia to communicate information

• ANPC needs to be part of the selection process for funding pragmatic research and for NHT grant assessments.

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6. PARTNERSHIPS

Some of the questions raised here were whether we need partnerships for effective plant conservation, and if so what are the strategic alliances for ANPC and how best can partnerships be formed that work well?

• Many obstacles to partnership working, such as lack of commitment, lack of skills, lack of secure funding, and poor institutional support

• Valuable experiences exist however, from which lessons can be learned

• Produce a manual on forming and maintaining effective partnerships for plant conservation