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Overview

The National Seed Bank (NSB), based at the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra, plays a critical role in protecting Australia’s native flora. As a plant conservation and research facility, the NSB focuses on seed collection, storage, and research to conserve genetic diversity and support restoration and climate adaptation efforts. Ex situ conservation through seed banking offers a vital insurance policy against species extinction. The NSB holds over 8,700 seed collections representing more than 4,000 taxa, including 175 threatened species. These collections are used for research, restoration, and climate-adapted species recovery.

Key insights

  • Ex situ conservation through seed banking is a vital strategy for safeguarding Australia’s native flora against threats like climate change, habitat loss, invasive species and disease.
  • Seed banking preserves genetic diversity, allowing for future restoration, reintroduction and climate-adapted translocation of species.
  • The National Seed Bank (NSB) holds over 8,700 seed collections (4,000+ taxa, including 175 threatened species) and conducts research on germination, propagation, and climate resilience.
  • Key challenges include collecting sufficient genetically diverse seed, responding to rapid biodiversity loss, maintaining seed viability, and overcoming dormancy or recalcitrance in some species.
  • The NSB is pioneering research on exceptional species (e.g. recalcitrant seeds, ferns), and leading climate adaptation projects such as the Tropical Mountain Plant Science and Survive and Thrive initiatives.
  • Success depends on long-term collaboration across seed banks, researchers, land managers, botanic gardens, and First Nations partners to expand ex situ conservation efforts nationally and globally.

Download the full case study

This case study demonstrates the work done by the National Seed Bank to safeguard Australia’s native flora through ex situ conservation and showcases two recent efforts: the Tropical Mountain Plant Science and Survive and Thrive initiatives.

Partners & funding

This research is supported with funding from the Australian Government under the National Environmental Science Program. This case study was conducted in collaboration with the Australian National Botanic Gardens.

Logo - Australian National Botanic Gardens
Logo - Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water
Logo - Australian Seedbank Partnership
Logo - Millennium Seed Bank Partnership
Logo - Australian Government Director of National Parks
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Overview

Parks Victoria, managing over 3,250 reserves in Victoria, is adapting its conservation approach to tackle the growing impacts of climate change. By adopting the Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) framework, they are shifting from traditional preservation-focused management to a dynamic, place-based adaptation strategy. The RAD framework helps reserve managers decide whether to resist change, accept ecological transformation, or direct it towards preferred outcomes. This case study highlights how Parks Victoria integrates RAD thinking into its Conservation Action Planning, offering a pragmatic method for ecological decision-making in an uncertain climate future.

Key insights

  • Parks Victoria formally adopted the RAD framework in 2024 as a core strategy for managing ecological change.
  • The framework supports adaptive decision-making, balancing ecological preservation with acceptance of unavoidable climate impacts.
  • RAD is integrated within the existing Conservation Action Planning system, which guides 15-year management plans for park landscapes.
  • The approach incorporates climate future scenario modelling and expert workshops to assess ecological vulnerabilities.
  • Examples of RAD in action include:
    • Avalon Coastal Reserve: shifting from resisting sea-level rise to accepting habitat transformation.
    • Wilsons Promontory National Park: implementing predator-proofing and species translocation to resist climate threats.
    • Alpine Ash Forests: applying resist or direct strategies based on fire risk assessments.
  • RAD enables transparent and action-oriented conservation planning, contrasting with passive or purely resilience-based models.
  • Challenges remain around data gaps, resource needs, stakeholder engagement, and maintaining flexibility for rapid climate response.

Download the full case study

This case study showcases how Parks Victoria is using the Resist-Accept-Direct framework to make proactive, science-based decisions for climate adaptation in protected areas. It provides practical examples, planning insights, and highlights the challenges of managing uncertainty in a changing climate.

Partners & funding

This research is supported with funding from the Australian Government under the National Environmental Science Program. This case study was conducted in collaboration with Parks Victoria.

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Overview

Faced with severe coastal erosion across the Bellarine Peninsula, the City of Greater Geelong pioneered two artificial reef projects: Ramblers Reef and Dell Eco Reef, designed to reduce wave energy, protect vulnerable coastlines, and enhance marine habitats. These projects are recognised as leading examples of coastal protection in Australia and this case study explores why and how these projects have been successful.

Key insights

  • Ramblers Reef (Portarlington) responded to coastline erosion by installing an artificial reef of semi-submersible cages filled with local rock and shell. The result? Beach recovery, protection of nearby properties, and a thriving new marine habitat.
  • Dell Eco Reef (Clifton Springs) evolved from a community-led vision for a snorkelling attraction into a sculptural reef acting as a wave attenuator. Using eco-friendly materials, the reef now supports marine life, attracts snorkellers, and contributes to coastal protection.
  • Both projects were enabled by strong leadership, adaptive engineering, and active community engagement.
  • The reefs delivered multiple co-benefits — from habitat creation to recreational use — while also addressing critical erosion issues.
  • Long-term monitoring is in place to track ecological outcomes and shoreline changes.

Download the full case study

Discover how practical innovation, nature-based solutions, and adaptive design helped protect Geelong’s vulnerable coastlines. The full case study details the project development, challenges faced, community involvement, and the real impact on both people and nature.

Partners & funding

This research is supported with funding from the Australian Government under the National Environmental Science Program. This research was conducted in collaboration with the City of Geelong and the Reef Design Lab.

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Overview

This case study highlights how the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is integrating climate information into wildlife conservation management across its extensive network of properties in Australia. Partnering with the NESP Climate Systems Hub, AWC used climate projections, drought analysis, and vulnerability assessments to inform decisions on species translocation, land acquisition, and conservation management. The work demonstrates how science-led adaptation strategies can enhance resilience against the threats of climate change, particularly in mitigating the impact of extreme droughts and heat events on wildlife populations.

Key insights

  • AWC manages over 6.8 million hectares across Australia, aiming to protect threatened species through climate-adapted strategies.
  • Climate vulnerability assessments identified high-risk species such as the Golden Bandicoot, leading to strategic translocation efforts.
  • The Numbat was assessed with low climate exposure but high sensitivity, influencing tailored conservation plans.
  • Drought analysis revealed that some AWC properties are projected to face double the amount of time in extreme drought conditions in the future.
  • Historical drought and extreme heat were linked to significant mammal population declines at key AWC sanctuaries like Scotia and Yookamurra.
  • Future projections show an increased frequency of combined drought and heat extremes, prompting the development of mitigation strategies.
  • The project utilised a selection of climate models representing best-case, mid-range, and worst-case scenarios to cover a range of future possibilities.
  • AWC enhanced its capacity to interpret climate data effectively for on-ground conservation decisions through collaboration with climate scientists.

Download the full case study

Discover how climate-informed planning is driving innovative wildlife conservation across Australia. The full report details practical examples of adaptation in action, offering valuable insights for conservation practitioners, policymakers, and researchers.

Partners & funding

This research is supported with funding from the Australian Government under the National Environmental Science Program. This case study was conducted in collaboration with the Australian Wildlife Conservancy.

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