Seeds from isolated endemic trees dating back hundreds of years, are being collected throughout the City of Bayswater in an effort to preserve their genetic biodiversity, as part of the City's endemic tree regeneration project.
The seeds, collected from endemic remnant trees which have been isolated from original bushland areas, will be propagated and planted within the City's parks and reserves during the 2022 planting season.
The City has contracted APACE Nursery WA to undertake the collection of viable seed from selected tree species around the City throughout March and April. This includes endemic species such as Pricklybark/Coastal Blackbutt, Marri, Jarrah and various Banksia.
City of Bayswater Councillor Giorgia Johnson said the initiative was a significant step in preserving the local genetic diversity of the City's valuable tree assets.
"The retention and protection of our increasingly rare and threatened locally endemic species is vitally important," she said.
"They are our future biodiversity and natural resilience - our legacy, history, culture and connection to country.
"Remnant trees have little opportunity to reproduce due to their isolation within urban areas, and this project helps secure the future of these species.
"This initiative is the result of years of hard work by the City's Environment and Sustainability team, and the efforts of local plant experts, Glenn Cook and Mary van Wees, to preserve our local plants and biodiversity."
Seed propagation is planned to commence in October 2021 to provide seedlings for the 2022 planting season. Any leftover seed will be processed and stored appropriately for future use.