“The whole purpose of a seed bank is to try and safeguard genetic diversity of wild plant populations.” 

James Wood has been the Manager of the Tasmanian Seed Conservation Centre (TSCC) since 2005. Based at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, the TSCC was initiated through a collaboration between the Tasmanian Herbarium, the Tasmanian Government and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. With support from gardens staff and a team of volunteers, James works to conserve Tasmania’s unique flora by collecting, storing and learning how to germinate the seeds of as many native plant species as possible.

The Ecological Society of Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. James works across Lutruwita/Tasmania. The TSCC is situated on the lands of the Muwinina people.

Help the ESA support ecology in Australia by donating (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ecolsoc.org.au/get-involved/donate/donation-form⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) or by becoming a member (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ecolsoc.org.au/get-involved/become-a-member⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠).

The music in this podcast is 'Glow' by Scott Buckley - www.scottbuckley.com.au.

Episode image credit - Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.

Season image credit - Russell Charters.