Rare and Endangered Plants Showcased at Valley Lake Conservation Park

(City of Mount Gambier Conservation Park contractor Orazio Cultreri and volunteers Graeme Paetschke and Wayne Moritz at the Valley Lake Conservation Park display garden)

A display garden showcasing more than 42 different species of rare and endangered plant species is officially open to the public at the City of Mount Gambier Valley Lake Conservation Park.

The idea was first pitched by Nature Glenelg Trust back in 2013 with works starting on the selected area within the Conservation Park.

“The area selected for the park contains bush sand, rocks and a suitable soil type for the rare coastal plants. It was fenced off to stop kangaroos getting in, with the assistance of unemployed young people with a disability in 2013,” City of Mount Gambier Conservation Park contractor Orazio Cultreri said.

Planting following in the Spring of 2015 with the help of volunteers and staff from Nature Glenelg Trust.

“The volunteers and I watered all through a hot Summer and it was a real challenge given many of the plants were tiny, but the hard work paid off and we had a 90 per cent survival  rate,” Mr Cultreri said.

To accompany the plants, informative signage has been installed for those interested in learning more. 

“One of the key varieties of species is the Jumping Jack Acacia which is endangered  throughout Australia. I regard the garden as refuge it provides protection for our vulnerable plants and a place where we can easily access genetic material such as seed or cuttings for future propagation.”  

There are hopes the garden will continue to evolve over time with additional varieties of plant.

“It’s all part of the whole plan for the Conservation Park, I’m hoping that down the track it becomes an educational opportunity for students and schools,” he said.