In June 2024, five innovative Climate Future Research Plots were established across the municipalities of Greater Dandenong, Knox and Maroondah. Using seed sourced from four distinct climate regions, these plots are part of a collaborative, progressive initiative designed to understand how native plant species will cope with our changing climate over the coming decades. The insights gained will help shape more resilient, climate‑ready urban landscapes for the future.
Each council is actively caring for its plot through ongoing maintenance and weed control, while Federation University leads the research and monitoring program. After the first 18 months, there have been some challenges and plant losses observed, however, these are being replaced in line with the project’s strict protocol to ensure consistency across all sites.