One year and 8,000 plants later for Flora force

On Norfolk Island, the passion for our unique environment runs deep, and another dedicated band of enviro-volunteers has reached their first-year anniversary. Flora Force, a team of volunteers lead by Community Nursery Supervisor, Leah McLeod has been running for over 12 months now, with at least ten members getting together every fortnight to propagate plants for the community. Leah oversees the two hourly sessions each Friday fortnight, which run between 9am and 11am followed by a morning tea and a chance to chat about the plants being propagated and longer-term goals. The aim of the program is to provide the plant stock needed to supply all of the council reserves' plantings and beyond that target, to have enough excess to consistently have native plants available for the community to purchase. 

Flora Force has now met their target with the first plants being made available to the public shortly. Potting mix is created using as many locally sourced materials as possible, including compost available from the waste management centre, and all the seed is collected respectfully from within reserves, the national park and private properties, being mindful to avoid taking too much and always leaving enough for natural regeneration to occur. 

With over 8,000 plants propagated in the past year, many of which are on the threatened species list, volunteers have plenty to be proud of. In their last session, they potted up 1,040 Broad Leaf Meryta seedlings, an endemic plant listed as critically endangered. The support of National Parks in providing the use of the nursery facility, broadening community awareness and the attendance of at least one staff member to work with the volunteer team has been a major contributor to the success of the group.

The Flora Force volunteers have fun getting their hands dirty every week and always finish off the session with a group morning tea. They get a deep satisfaction from looking back at all the plants they've had a hand in propagating. If you would like to join the Flora Force team and make a difference at a grass roots level, contact Community Nursery Supervisor, Leah McLeod, on 56611.