Recovery objective 5: Support commercialRecovery objective 5: Support commercial production of Wollemi Pines for sale

Recovery objective 5: Support commercial production of Wollemi Pines for sale

Performance criterion 10.5.1 The known stands of Wollemi Pine are protected from damage caused by illegal visitation. Revenue from the commercialisation program is returned to the conservation of the Wollemi Pine.

A commercialisation strategy was developed to manage the release of the plants into cultivation. This strategy was launched in October 2005 at an international auction conducted by Sotherby’s at the BGOS. The strategy involved the development of a commercial release scheme that is sensitive to the conservation concerns of this and other Australian species, ensuring minimal material is collected from the wild, discouraging illegal collection, and communicating the importance of conservation. Upon commercial release of Wollemi Pine, messages regarding plant conservation were provided with packaging, printed, and web-based documentation, and other publicity efforts, in concert with the community relations strategy. Wollemi Pines continue to be sold commercially, although the Wollemi Pine Recovery Team and RBGDT have little control over the market because of the ability for suppliers and individuals to propagate their own Wollemi Pines.

Communication around the Wollemi Pine maintains robust messaging against illegal visitation. A proportion of the initial revenue from the commercialisation program was returned to the conservation of the Wollemi Pine. However, relationships with the commercial sector ceased in 2010 and royalties no longer contribute to conservation activities (B. Summerell, pers. comm.).