Giving Grass Trees a Second Chance: Community Collaboration in Action

A this massive project on Goodwood Road, a collaborative environmental initiative is restoring degraded land, rebuilding native ecosystems, and creating hands-on learning opportunities for future land managers. This work is being carried out with the support of Red Ash Consulting, WYLD Projects Inc., and Macadamia Farm Management (MFM).

One of the project’s most meaningful milestones has been the rescue and replanting of native grass trees (Xanthorrhoea fulva)—an iconic species under threat from land clearing.

Salvaging an Iconic Species

When a section of roadside vegetation was marked for removal ahead of infrastructure works, Carly Sugars, Principal Ecologist at Red Ash Consulting, saw an opportunity to act.

📽️ Carly Sugars – Grass Tree Salvage & Ecological Value
Carly shares the ecological importance of Xanthorrhoea fulva and explains how the plants were salvaged and nurtured for replanting.

Working with Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and Gin Gin Landcare, Carly coordinated the careful extraction of grass trees that were within the footprint of a road upgrade project. These plants were held and nurtured for over six months to reduce transplant shock and ensure survival.


Grass trees are incredibly slow-growing and can live for decades.
They’re more than ornamental—these plants support wildlife, stabilise soils, and form important microhabitats,”
Carly explains.

Planting for the Future: Teamwork, Technique, and Training on Country

The replanting of grass trees brought together a unique collaboration between environmental scientists, land managers, and Indigenous youth. The site—previously degraded by intensive cropping—lacked a viable native seed bank, meaning species like Xanthorrhoea fulva wouldn’t naturally regenerate without direct intervention.

📽️ Chris Cannizzaro, Carly Sugars, and WYLD Projects – Site Prep, Planting & Youth Engagement
This video features Dr Chris Cannizzaro (Macadamia Farm Management), Carly Sugars (Red Ash Consulting), and the WYLD Projects team guiding us through the planting process and highlighting the importance of youth involvement in restoration work.

“This is a real win-win,” says Chris. “The grass trees were going to be cleared, but instead they’re now helping rehabilitate land that wouldn’t recover on its own.”

As the team gets to work, Chris and Carly explain critical techniques for successful transplanting—from planting depth to managing hydrophobic soils. Each grass tree is carefully placed by hand, pressed in to eliminate air pockets, and watered slowly to encourage healthy root establishment.

Importantly, the planting was also a field training opportunity for students from WYLD Projects Indigenous Corporation, who are undertaking a Certificate II in Conservation and Ecosystem Management. Under the guidance of Brad Crosbie and Bruce Waia, students participated directly in the planting and land prep.

This is a chance to learn, but also to contribute meaningfully.
They’re doing important work that connects them with the land and their futures,” says Brad.

The WYLD program supports youth aged 14–24, particularly those facing school disengagement or justice-related challenges. Through immersive projects like this, students gain nationally recognised qualifications while building skills, confidence, and cultural connection.

A Landscape Reimagined

To truly appreciate the scope of the planting, a drone captured sweeping aerial views of the site. The footage reveals how strategic planting efforts can revitalise previously degraded farmland and help reconnect habitat corridors.

📽️ Drone Flyover – A New Beginning for Old Land
Watch from above as rows of replanted grass trees mark the beginning of long-term landscape recovery.

A Model for Regenerative Partnerships

This project demonstrates how government, private land managers, environmental scientists, and community organisations can come together to protect native flora and educate future caretakers of the land.

Through thoughtful planning and teamwork, this collaboration has achieved something simple yet powerful: saving species, restoring country, and investing in the next generation—all at once.

🖼️ Explore Featured Native Species – Interactive Slide Deck

As part of the broader regeneration efforts, a diverse range of native species has been introduced to support long-term land recovery.

With ecological input from Carly Sugars (Red Ash Consulting), a selection of key plants was identified for their role in erosion control, soil health, and biodiversity restoration.

The presentation below highlights some of the species currently establishing on site. This is not a complete list but offers a closer look at several of the standout natives now playing a role in regenerating the landscape.

Regeneration June 2025 by Macadamia Farm Management

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