The Forktree Project

www.theforktreeproject.com

Funding is sought to support the ongoing habitat restoration work on the Forktree site and in further development of the rare seed orchard on site to grow more rare native species to help safeguard them from extinction. We have planted over 24,000 native trees, shrubs and grasses in the past 4 growing seasons at Forktree as part of restoring the site to its wild, pre-European state. The winter 2024 planting season is our biggest with over 7,000 trees, shrubs and grasses planted but the work is ongoing. The Rare Seed Orchard involves growing threatened species in a dedicated vermin-proof 1.5ha area under irrigation for ease of seed harvesting and propagation and as a security population of these species in the wild. The focus is on species that are rare, or of significance to aboriginal people from a food, utility or medicinal perspective. The Ngarrindjeri people have been consulted about species selection and it is intended that First Nations (Ngarrindjeri/Kaurna) land managers will be trained to help run these facilities as part of an educational outreach program and their involvement in the project. Growing such species enables us to help young First Nations people to have better connection to Country and engage them more actively in our work, produce more of these rare plants from seed harvested to establish habitat beyond the Forktree site and as an educational resource for schools.