Native Seed Collection Know-How for Riparian Zone Restoration

Healthy riparian zones don’t happen by accident, they’re built from the ground up, starting with the right seed.

Collecting and using locally adapted native seed is one of the most effective ways to restore degraded creek lines, stabilise banks, improve water quality and rebuild habitat. The species we choose – and where that seed comes from – directly influence survival rates, resilience to climate pressures, and long-term restoration success.

Native Seed Know-How for Riparian Zone Restoration will explore why seed provenance matters, how to collect responsibly, and how good seed practices strengthen on-ground restoration outcomes. By sourcing seed from healthy, local plant communities, we maintain genetic diversity, improve establishment success and build resilience into our revegetation projects for the long term.

This workshop will be guided by the experts at Cape Life Environmental and Undalup Rangers, with support from our Lower Blackwood LCDC specialist Declan McGill. It will be a will be a unique insight into our local landscape; how to observe carefully, collect respectfully and handle and use native seeds with confidence.

Be prepared for a morning out in the bush! Gloves, long sleeves and boots must be worn as we’ll be out in the bush to learn the hands-on skills for native seed gathering.

We’ll also cover:

• Why we focus on endemic/provenance seed collection
• The legalities and licensing requirements for native seed collection
• Seed collection: the how, when and why
• Optimum timing for different species
• Methods for seed collection – what gear you will need for efficiency and efficacy
• Processing seed – species/context specifics and approaches to cleaning/extracting seed
• Planting out seed – treatments required and ideal techniques
• Site preparation before planting out seeds or seedlings

Why should I go?

This is a hands-on, info and action-packed workshop that delivers real-world insights into native seed collection, including discussions around the First Nations cultural perspective on seed collection and its connection to custodianship and caring for country. We’ll even have chance to visit the Cape Life seed processing and storage facilities – did you know that Cape Life maintains the seedbank collections for the Shire of Augusta Margaret River, Nature Conservation Margaret River Region, the Lower Blackwood LCDC and the Margaret River Community Nursery?

Event Logistics

When? Thursday 19 March 9am – 1pm (morning tea included)

Where? Meet at the Red Cross Shop in Witchcliffe (54 Red Gate Road, Witchcliffe) and find the Lower Blackwood LCDC banner. After seed collecting participants will take their own transport to Cape Life HQ in Margaret River for morning tea and seed processing.

Cost? FREE

What Else? BYO refillable water bottle, hat, wear appropriate footwear, long sleeves, gloves and dress for the weather as it may be hot.

This project is a part of Healthy Estuaries WA – a State Government program that aims to improve the health of our South West estuaries.