Ian and Janet McConachie Macadamia Conservation Research Grant
Ian and Janet McConachie have devoted decades to the both the macadamia industry and conservation of the wild macadamias on which the industry is based. Through a generous donation, they have enabled long-term support for research into the ecology and conservation of these rare Australian plants, and the rich sub-tropical forests that support them.
The very first grant was made to Mollie Cooper at Southern Cross University in 2023, to study the mycorrhizal status of wild Macadamia tetraphylla plants. Since then WMC has joined forces with the Australian Flora Foundation (AFF) to offer grants that can cover up to three years of research focused on the ecology and conservation of macadamias.
Through our collaboration with the Australian Flora Foundation we ensure that the scientific merit and technical feasibility of research proposals are assessed by an accredited panel of scientists, selected for their experience and knowledge in the field of Australian plant biology.
The first full grant through the AFF was to Dr Albert Wong in 2024 to extend research on tissue culture and cryopreservation techniques for macadamia to develop a specific tissue culture protocol for the critically endangered M. jansenii.
The 2025 Ian and Janet McConachie Macadamia Conservation Research Grant has been awarded to Dr James Makinson to find new Macadamia tetraphylla populations and monitor trees in their habitat for pest and pollinator activity, using machine learning to analyse satellite imagery and camera images, backed up by field work.
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Which insects visit Bush Nuts in the forest?
Bush Nuts can be difficult to find scattered along rugged forested slopes, so this project will train machine learning to search satellite imagery for likely habitat. Once a range of remote locations have been identified, cameras will be installed to monitor the insects that visit the trees at the different sites.
Continue Reading Which insects visit Bush Nuts in the forest?
How to seed bank when you can’t bank seeds
Like many large, fatty seeds, macadamia nuts are not easy to be store longer than a few years and still grow into a tree. This project looks at alternative ways of storing macadamia genetic material so that macadamias can be added to the world’s seed banks.
Which soil fungi live in and around Bush Nuts?
Trees are part of a complex web of life and yet we know very little about what goes on in and around the roots of macadamia trees. This project investigates the fungi that lives in the soil around Bush Nuts, not just in the soil, but in symbiosis with the roots themselves.
Continue Reading Which soil fungi live in and around Bush Nuts?
Seed banking for Macadamias – is it possible?
New techniques that combine drying and cooling are being explored to see if macadamia seeds can be stored after all.
Continue Reading Seed banking for Macadamias – is it possible?
Wild Macadamia Hunt update
Cultivated macadamia trees have significantly less genetic diversity than wild trees. This means wild trees may have a greater capacity to respond to changing conditions, new diseases, human needs, and climatic change. Learning more about the genetic composition of wild macadamias gives us the chance to conserve and protect this important native species. There might…
The Wild Macadamia Hunt is ON!
So much macadamia habitat has been cleared in and around Brisbane, and yet old trees survive in backyards, acreage blocks, farmland and creek and bushland reserves. Some of these trees may be the last individuals of lost populations. We are calling on Brisbane residents to help us find the old trees – can you think…