It seems there is no mountain high enough that could stop one man from protecting a very rare, critically endangered botanical find.
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When Zieria odorifera ssp. copelandii plants were found on Mount Kaputer, National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Australian Institute of Botanical Science took emergency action.
Project officer James Faris made them his labour of love, climbing up the mountain, often in scorching sunlight, to water and look after the last surviving plants.
The extremely rare species is only found in the western part of Mount Kaputar National Park, and is a small shrub growing to 20cm on hard rock faces.
"This species was so badly impacted by the drought, I personally carried water up the mountain on the weekends during the worst of the dry and watered each of the plants," Mr Faris explained.
"Despite our best efforts, drastic measures had to be taken, when their numbers fell to just three adult plants."
This species was so badly impacted by the drought, I personally carried water up the mountain on the weekends during the worst of the dry and watered each of the plants.
- James Faris
Around 300 seedlings were, thankfully, located during a survey of the site.
Their future now lies in the hands of scientists from the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan.
A small amount of genetic material was harvested for propagation, and 20 seedlings were taken in the hope they can rebuild populations.
Dr Peter Cuneo, manager of Seedbank and Restoration Research at the Australian Institute of Botanical Science, said there were now 25 healthy seedlings growing at their nursery.
"[They] will help provide an insurance policy against the extinction of these native plants in the wild," Dr Cuneo said.
Other measures are now underway to protect the remaining plants on site under the NSW Government's Save our Species program.
While not impacted by fires which hit parts of Mount Kaputar National Park recently, the plants are susceptible to trampling by visitors and from browsing by macropods and feral animals.
"Cages have now been constructed around the plants to protect them from this kind of disturbance," Mr Faris said.
"These measures are being undertaken alongside pest management in the park.
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"Reducing the number of goats and other feral animals reduces the browsing pressure on all flora species."
More information, as well as a search for more of these plants, will be gathered soon.
"The more information we can gather on this species will help us to better understand, manage and monitor the threats it faces."
In the meantime, good rainfall in the area since the beginning of the year means the plants will flower and set seed in spring.