This article is a summary only of the podcast conversation “16. How a Native Plant Nursery Protects Local Biodiversity”. Listen to the full episode on Spotify podcasts or Apple podcasts, and go here for the relevant links mentioned in the podcast. Read on for the summarised topics from the episode.

How a Native Plant Nursery Protects Local Biodiversity

Are you looking to create a garden that’s beautiful, low-maintenance and good for the planet? We’ll dig into why choosing plants from your local area makes a big difference not just for your garden, but for the natural environment too.

In this episode, I’m chatting with Emma Graham from Trees in Newcastle. They’re a non-profit that’s been around since 1989 and are dedicated to protecting and promoting native vegetation specific to the Hunter region.

Overview of the Conversation

The diversity of Trees in Newcastle, such as bush regeneration, plant propagation & planting by volunteers, community education, and plant sales of native tubestock plants to the public
Trees in Newcastle is a specialised native plant nursery that grows and nurtures plants from the Hunter Region

“Trees in Newcastle is kind of like the equivalent to the Hunter Valley red wine. We’re unique to the region. The plants and their care has been developed over time to get that “recipe” right. We’re not the mass production nursery”

Difference between native plants versus endemic plants
Value of native plants to our urban, peri-urban, farmland and mining lands
Trees in Newcastle is a supplier for and collaborator with councils, businesses and organisations that protect, promote or enhance their area, such as The Groundswell Collective for the Tiny Forests and the Bushfire Protection Eucalypt Program
How our backyards serve as a stopover for animals between their islands of habitat

How a plant is nurtured in the nursery from seed collection in the Hunter area, propagation, potting by volunteers to a seedling that’s ready to plant.

“That means for us that we have really high quality plants. So when they go out and they’re planted, they’ve been through this long process of care to increase their resilience to the natural conditions. This means we have a really high survival rate of plants…it’s something we’re super proud of.”

Partnering with the River Red Gum Project to protect and enhance the population, as these trees are designated as endangered

“…there’s much scientific interest about the genetics of the river red gum. It’s important for us at the nursery to maintain maternal lines throughout the whole process to ensure species provenance.”

Busting the misconceptions about native plants

Images credit in this blogpost to Trees in Newcastle

This episode of The ReNewy Living Podcast was recorded on Awabakal country. I wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land and waters in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales.

I hope you’re feeling more confident about doing better for our people and planet by taking a start where you live approach to living sustainably. If this episode has spurred you into action, please feel free to share the episode with your friends. It would mean the world to me!

Listen into the stories and voices of this story here at Spotify podcasts and here at Apple Podcasts… And you can also sign up to my regular emails here… I look forward to sharing more stories with you next time.

How a Native Plant Nursery Protects Local Biodiversity

Links from the Podcast Episode (S2 Ep16)

Trees in Newcastle for native tubestock plants
The Groundswell Collective for their Tiny Forest initiatives
Bushfire Protection Eucalypt Program
River Red Gum Project
Landcare (Lake Macquarie): Landcare activities in Lake Macquarie are guided and supported through a partnership between volunteers, Lake Macquarie Landcare Volunteer Network Incorporated and Lake Macquarie City Council.
Landcare (NSW): a community-based approach to managing and protecting our natural resources
Landcare (Broke-Bulga):
Street Appeal
Sustainable Neighbourhoods Groups in Lake Macquarie