Meet PlantingSeeds

Meet PlantingSeeds

Tell us about PlantingSeeds. What is your mission?

PlantingSeeds Projects aims to support biodiversity through ‘corridors of regeneration and education’. Focusing on pollinators and plants and the 90 per cent of Australians who live in urban areas, it engages youth and adults in planting, biodiversity audits and habitat construction for bees, birds and other pollinator animals.

PlantingSeeds’ flagship project: the B&B Highway (Bed and Breakfasts for Bees, Birds and Biodiversity).

With ‘B&Bs’ in over 220 locations, mainly in schools, participants in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia have all gained valuable knowledge and skills in how to help threatened pollinators. The organisation has propagated 750,000 native stingless bees, planted over 14,000 plants and educated over 14,000 individuals! PlantingSeeds is supported by the NSW Department of Education and the CSIRO’s Atlas of Living Australia.

PlantingSeeds’ B&B Highway program includes working in an urban environment to support biodiversity and involves practical and educational programs. Trained educators go into schools and corporations to run indoor and outdoor programs which involve professional resources and modules.

Planting Seeds have worked in a majority of LGAs in Sydney, many in Melbourne and others in Queensland and South Australia. With funding originally derived from government grants and donations, corporates are increasingly attracted to PlantingSeeds’ programs.

How do you involve volunteers in your programs?

PlantingSeeds supports a large number of volunteers from many walks of life and areas of expertise. Students, interns, retirees, part-time workers, new migrants and many wanting to just help Australian biodiversity are all attracted to PlantingSeeds’ programs. These volunteers assist in a wide range of areas including research, data management, graphic design, education, social media, communications, and grant writing.

How do your volunteers make a difference in the community?

PlantingSeeds’ volunteers support their communities – not just the humans, but the pollinators and plants too! It is not uncommon for volunteers to be asked to assist schools with planting, making homes for Blue-Banded bees, or helping students to do a bug hunt!

What resources and services have helped to support your volunteer programs?

The Centre for Volunteering has been very helpful in advertising varied volunteer roles for PlantingSeeds and conducting pre-interviews to ascertain suitability of volunteers. The wonderful staff have also provided advice on how to source appropriate volunteers.

Why did your organisation become a member of The Centre? What benefit has it brought your organisation?

Membership has kept the good ship PlantingSeeds sailing and has helped to provide a constant stream of passionate and skilled volunteers in many areas.

What have you learnt about the value of volunteering or volunteer management?

PlantingSeeds has benefitted so much over the years. Young students have passion and fresh ideas. Those new to the country share their insights and often considerable skills that are waiting to be channelled into work opportunities. Many older volunteers want to give back.

PlantingSeeds is one of the few environmental organisations to offer programs which provide individuals with opportunities to utilise their expertise in this area.

What would you say to someone thinking of volunteering? 

 Go for it! You will reflect on all you have learnt, be chuffed to help out, meet like-minded people who share similar values, and help so many – in our case, people and pollinators!

Learn more about PLANTING SEEDS

Membership

The Centre is proud to support organisations like PlantingSeeds, doing important work in the community.

The Centre for Volunteering has been very helpful in advertising varied volunteer roles for PlantingSeeds and conducting pre-interviews to ascertain suitability of volunteers. The wonderful staff have also provided advice on how to source appropriate volunteers. – Planting Seeds