Together for Nature

Biodiversity is decreasing at an unprecedented rate. In Australia, as in other places around the world, some plant species are disappearing, never to be seen again. 
Part of the solution lies in effectively storing seeds to safeguard the most vulnerable species, and making sure our children understand the importance of plants into the future.

This is a colossal task! Thankfully, one scientific institution is already making a huge difference. The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney has made it its mission to undertake crucial plant rescue and protection actions, as well as inspiring a love of plant science in generations to come.

Our partner: The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is the green heart of Australia’s largest city. Situated along the Sydney Harbour foreshore, the Garden connects people and nature through 30 hectares of green space, creative horticulture and engaging educational experiences. It is also Australia’s oldest scientific institution, conducting vital science and research activities across its facilities and sites, including the National Herbarium of NSW, the Australian PlantBank, PlantClinic and its scientifically curated living collections of plants across three sites:

• the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
• the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan
• the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah.

Phenomenal scientific resources

The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is Australia’s oldest scientific institution and continues to be a leader in plant science and conservation. Starting with the first European explorers collecting and naming species, the Gardens’ science has evolved to include plant pathology, genetics, ecology and seed science. 
The Australian PlantBank at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan now stores more than 60% of NSW’s threatened flora and has received international acclaim for its world-class collecting and research efforts. 

Two leading organisations, hand in hand 

Klorane Botanical Foundation has chosen to support the Garden on several projects, including: 

• the Rainforest Seed Conservation Project to protect Australia's rainforest species
• Herbarium on Stage botanic themed workshops for children
• a photographic exhibition to raise awareness of biodiversity protection initiatives from around the world.

Additionally, employees from Pierre Fabre in Sydney have contributed volunteer hours in support of the National Herbarium of NSW’s Digitisation Project at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. As botanical science increasingly adapts to the digital era, this project is contributing to the international movement to share and protect botanical collections online. More than 1.4 million preserved plant specimens kept at the National Herbarium of NSW are being captured as high-resolution digital images, creating an online resource of botanical knowledge which will eventually be available to everyone around the world.

Exploring, protecting and sharing

A lifeguard for the rainforest

Can science be of any use to help a rainforest that's losing more and more species each year? The answer is yes, there are many ways science can help. For instance, collecting and storing the seeds of as many species as possible in the event they become endangered or worse, disappear. This is no easy feat, as rainforest seeds often show very low tolerance to the drying or freezing methods required for storage. For this reason, scientists and experts at the Australian PlantBank, located at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, are pioneering new seed storage methods and technologies.

But it's not just about expertise. A race against time is on. Klorane Botanical Foundation has chosen to support the Australian PlantBank’s vital conservation programs that focus on native rainforest plants under threat from habitat fragmentation, weeds, disease and climate change. And because every piece of knowledge gathered by this program helps other dedicated scientists, no matter where on the map, it is available to be shared across the world.

These are some of the species we’re helping to safeguard!

Species currently included in the Rainforest Conservation Program include Lemon Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora), Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia), Black Bean (Castanospermum australe) and Bunya Pine (Araucaria bidwillii).

Klorane Botanical Foundation has committed itself as a founding partner, along with UNESCO and SIPA Press, of the "UNESCO Green Citizens" program. The exhibition presents diverse stories of deep engagement in global sustainability by green citizens from Senegal, Brazil, India, Japan and Vanuatu - from rice farming methods to the sustainable production of Cupuaçu in Amazonia.
At dedicated periods throughout the year, the exhibition is put on display in the heart of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney’s award-winning venue The Calyx, inspiring visitors to appreciate and protect the natural environment.

Our partner on the subject