Taking over the management of the Goulburn Broken Indigenous Seedbank from the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is a "good fit" for GV Community Energy, according to the organisation's CEO Geoff Lodge.
Taking over the management of the Goulburn Broken Indigenous Seedbank from the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is a "good fit" for GV Community Energy, according to the organisation's CEO Geoff Lodge.
The seedbank, located at the University of Melbourne's Dookie campus supplies Indigenous seed for revegetation work by Landcare groups, government organisations, commercial nurseries, landowners and local conservation groups.
"GV Community Energy is a not-for-profit enterprise, run by a board of volunteer directors, that aims to provide services to the community to transition to a low-carbon economy," Mr Lodge said.
"One of the primary ways to do this is to re-instate vegetation at the landscape level. We therefore see management of the seedbank as complementing our solar energy program and other sustainable living initiatives – it's a very good fit with our social agenda."
Mr Lodge said GV Community Energy would continue to work closely with the Goulburn Broken CMA.
"The seedbank has developed as a result of a great partnership between the CMA, the university and other government agencies over the past decade and we look forward to seeing that evolve," Mr Lodge said.
Seedbank Co-ordinator Liz Evans will continue in the role, overseeing the sourcing of Indigenous grass, shrub and tree seeds harvested from seed production sites across the Goulburn Broken Catchment.
Goulburn Broken CMA Land & Biodiversity Manager Steve Wilson said the CMA would continue to work in partnership and support the ongoing operations of the Seedbank.
"The seedbank and seed production sites are not only critical to protecting the Catchment's genetic biodiversity, it's now widely recognised that replanting native vegetation can reduce salinity and improve soils for crops and pastures, livestock, remnant vegetation, and native fauna," Mr Wilson said.
"We will therefore continue to work closely with the seedbank to source seeds for many of our projects, such as the Biodiversity Fund Carbon Landscapes and Sandridge Woodlands projects as well as broader Landcare and Conservation Management Network projects across the Catchment."
To contact the Goulburn Broken Indigenous Seedbank, phone 0428 770 030 or email seedbank@gvce.com.au
For more about the Goulburn Broken CMA's land and biodiversity programs, visit www.gbcma.vic.gov.au
Seedbank Co-ordinator Liz Evans & GV Community Energy's CEO Geoff Lodge.