Hundreds of native species preserved at Lismore nursery

A Lismore-based nursery is growing hundreds of native plant species as part of long-term efforts to restore rainforest ecosystems across the Northern Rivers.

Firewheel Nursery in Lismore specialises exclusively in plants endemic to the region and currently grows about 400 native species collected from sites including roadsides, paddock trees and council-managed land.

“Our aim is to put the rainforest back into the ground,” nursery manager Mark Dunthy said.

Native plant regeneration plays a key role in maintaining environmental health, improving biodiversity and preventing soil erosion, particularly in a region identified as a biodiversity hotspot.

Dunthy said community attitudes toward native planting had shifted significantly over the past three decades.

“We’ve been educating and promoting rainforest awareness for 35 years,” he said.

“Nowadays, exotic planting in council developments or approved private developments has largely ceased.”

Firewheel Nursery has also worked with local councils to improve awareness of appropriate species selection, including contributing to publications such as Climate Resilient Landscape.

Tweed Shire Council private land conservation officer Michael Cork said councils prioritised native planting in urban developments, although some limitations remained.

“Obviously, a plant with an invasive root won’t work in an urban landscape,” Cork said.

“However, as the Northern Rivers is a biodiversity hotspot, we strongly advocate for landowners to retain native habitat.”

Burringbar Rainforest Nursery owner Mathew Lee said a lack of public awareness continued to pose challenges for native plant preservation.

“If people don’t know certain plants exist, then they aren’t being planted,” Lee said.

“These native plants function as habitat for host species, particularly smaller pollinators such as weevils and butterflies which are often overlooked.”

Lee said better understanding of endangered species listings was needed, particularly as new homeowners redesign gardens.

“If people are aware of what plants must be protected, then in the future they won’t think about chopping them down,” he said.