Rare Wollemi pines find sanctuary through Canberra donation drive
About 10 gardeners donated home-grown Wollemi pines to Australia's National Botanic Gardens for species conservation.
One of Earth's rarest trees is getting a second chance. The Wollemi pine was thought extinct until it was found again in 1994.
Today, only 46 adult and 43 juvenile plants remain in the wild. This September, Australia's National Botanic Gardens asked people to donate potted Wollemi pines.
About 10 gardeners volunteered across Australia. The gardens selected plants grown in Canberra to avoid transplant stress.
Once delivered, the trees will be replanted around the visitor centre and in the Gondwana collection. They form a living backup population.
If the wild trees face disaster, the species could survive. The director called it a win-win.
It helps owners who have outgrown their plants and keeps the species safe.
- 46
- Wild adult plants
- 43
- Wild juvenile plants
- about 10
- Gardeners donated
- 1994
- Year rediscovered
Why it mattersCreates a backup population of a critically endangered species. It protects the species from extinction if the wild forest population fails.
AustraliaAustralia's most famous rare tree now has enhanced protection through community effort centred in Canberra.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
Open this story in InSnip →
