Threatened Rare Endemic Plant Research Group

Based at UNSW, the Threatened Rare Endemic Plant Research Group is dedicated to understanding, protecting and restoring Australia’s most vulnerable native flora through cutting-edge research, field studies and collaborative conservation efforts.

Welcome to the Threatened Rare Endemic Plant Research Group (TREP-RG), a dedicated team of researchers and conservationists based at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Our mission is to advance the scientific understanding and protection of Australia’s most vulnerable and unique plant species—those that are threatened, rare, or endemic to specific ecosystems.

Australia is home to an extraordinary diversity of native flora, many of which exist nowhere else in the world. Unfortunately, a growing number of these species face severe threats from habitat loss, climate change, invasive species and altered land management practices. Our group seeks to address these challenges through robust ecological research, long-term monitoring, and evidence-based conservation strategies.

We work across a range of landscapes—from alpine heaths and arid woodlands to coastal scrub and rainforest margins—to identify key risk factors and develop targeted recovery plans. Our multidisciplinary approach integrates fieldwork, genetic analysis, population modelling and environmental policy engagement. We collaborate with local communities, land managers, Traditional Owners, government agencies and other research institutions to ensure our work has lasting, real-world impact.

Whether you are a fellow scientist, a student, a conservation practitioner or simply passionate about native plants, we invite you to explore our site to learn more about our projects, partners and the vital flora we strive to protect. Together, we can contribute to a more resilient and biodiverse future.