Jilliga Ash Eucalyptus stenostoma Conservation Field Trip

In October 2025, Amy Downey (Horticulturist, Melbourne Gardens) and Ollie Sherlock (Natural Systems Officer, Cranbourne Gardens) supported the Threatened Species Conservancy on a conservation mission to save the endangered Jilliga Ash Eucalyptus stenostoma which grows on cliffs in the beautiful and remote Wadbilliga National Park in Southern NSW. It grows up to 25m and lives for up to 400 years, but does not have the post-fire regeneration capability of other trees.

Populations of the tree were devastated by the Black Summer bushfires in 2019/20 and had failed to regenerate well from seed after the fires.

In 2024, Threatened Flora Ecologist Dr Stan Wawrzycek spotted a copse of the trees that had survived the fires growing on a 300m high escarpment, high above the Tuross River in Wadbilliga National Park, but was unable to access the trees to collect seed and genetic samples due to the steep and high risk environment.

Amy and Ollie brought specialist rope access skills to the 2025 trip, which were critical to safely access the trees and collect seed. The collected seeds are now stored in seedbanks and used to establish ex-situ conservation specimens in Victorian and NSW Botanic Gardens.

Come along to the Elliot Centre on Thursday 9th July to hear more about this amazing conservation story.

As this is an Open House event, it is free and open to Members only.

Afternoon tea will be provided following the presentation.