Australasian Seed Science Conference 2020

The Australasian Seed Science Conference 2020 is being coordinated by the Australian Seed Bank Partnership and will be hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra. The Conference will commence on the evening of Sunday, 5 April 2020 with the main science program on Monday 6 and Tuesday 7 April 2020. Workshops and field trips will follow the Conference on Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 April. A two-day pre-conference field trip to the Australian Alps is also available at an additional cost.

The Conference aims to attract up to 200 delegates who will have the opportunity to meet and share ideas, focusing on the importance of seed science to the future of plant conservation and food security. Australian and international delegates will be drawn from institutions and non‑government organisations with interests covering seed science, agriculture, conservation, restoration and cultural seed banking. International and national experts will be speaking on dormancy and germination; seed storage, conservation and utilisation; establishment and management of seed conservation facilities; seed ecology and cultural knowledge and use of native seeds.

Conference Themes

1. Seed biology and evolutionary ecology – Unlocking the challenges of germination, dormancy and seed ecology in a changing world.
2. Seed sourcing and end-use – Considering genetic diversity, restoration and translocations as well as sector specific approaches to seed conservation and use.
3. Seed and gene bank management – The ins and outs of managing ex situ seed banks and gene banks and the methods for maximising seed quality and longevity.
4. Seeds in culture and society – Sharing stories and learning about cultural seed use, including collaborations between traditional use and ex situ seed banks and gene banks.