A dedicated group of volunteers has successfully planted 800 seedlings of the critically endangered Banksia canei on Mount Burrowa, aiming to restore the species that was devastated by the Black Summer bushfires five years ago. Kelton Goyne has spent decades caring for the Mount Burrowa—Buckleboo landscape. In the background, Glen Johnson has managed the reintroduction project for decades. Collectively, they were the perfect champions to move this initiative forward.
The Black Summer bushfires 𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 to have been the worst natural disaster in Australian history burned across large parts of Australia in late 2019 and early 2020. Consequently, Mount Burrowa was devastated, exterminating the previously abundant species Banksia canei that formerly grew there. The volunteers, including Maria Bertoncini, took on the challenging task of re-establishing this vital species, which is crucial for local biodiversity.
Resilient Efforts by Volunteers
On one particular planting day, a helicopter flew in with roughly 400 seedlings. It delivered critical equipment that will support the community’s restoration project. The volunteers commenced a challenging steep, rocky climb. Their little faces lit up with delight as we planted the young banksia seedlings into their new home.
From the air, long-time Mount Burrowa adventurer Kelton Goyne described the ‘wasteland’ nature of the area post-fires. “After today, there’s no more hand watering. We defend them by surrounding them with sentries. After that, they should be on their own,” he said, stressing the importance of getting the seedlings to acclimate to their new home.
Fellow artist Maria Bertoncini illustrated her reasons for joining the project. “And it makes me feel like I’m doing something concrete,” she said. Her sentiment is matched by thousands of volunteers across the country. Together, they courageously traversed the challenging path to impact that our field of ecological restoration is all about.
Reintroducing a Lost Species
Glen Johnson has been instrumental to the project. He has been in earnest efforts to return the Banksia canei to Mount Burrowa. Then he heard about a much less widespread species doing quite well over in the adjacent Coral Bank. This find ignited his vision to begin plans for reintroduction. His personal initiative and efforts led to an unprecedented collaboration among scientists. Just last week they found such a “genetic perfect match” close to Mount Beauty and propagated new seedlings to have planted.
We’re looking for 500 growing mature plants, Bertoncini clarified. This is the magic number to ensure enough genetic diversity in the population to develop a resilient population that can adapt and thrive amidst shifting climate variables. Restoring or improving habitat conditions would serve as the primary target to achieve long-term species survival in the wild.
Roaming historically in the thousands throughout the area, the Banksia canei’s population was dwindling long before the worst fires took their toll. Normally, these plants prosper in the wake of a fire. Mount Burrowa became a “moonscape” in the process and no banksias appeared as anticipated.
Future Monitoring and Hope for Survival
The seedlings put into the ground by volunteers are the first step toward bringing back one of Australia’s rarest native plants. As Glen Johnson told us, they are pretty hopeful that they will get at least a 60 percent survival rate on the new seedlings that they plant. Social sustainability This benchmark would be essential for achieving a sustainable population on Mount Burrowa.
As Goyne reflected on the physical challenges posed by the terrain, he remarked, “It’s classic goat territory up here, and my calves and my thighs are going to be really sore tomorrow, but it’s well worth it.” His dedication is quickly matched by all of those in the know involved who recognize a once in a generation ecological restoration.
