Connecting Corridors Inc. is researching a bold and necessary shift in environmental thinking, one that recognises the dynamic nature of ecosystems in a changing climate. While the organisation has long championed native species and place-based restoration, it now acknowledges that climate resilience may require a broader, more adaptive approach to planting.

Beyond Traditional Nativeness

Historically, environmental restoration has prioritised local native species, plants that evolved in a specific region and are presumed best suited to its conditions. But with climate change accelerating shifts in rainfall, temperature, and soil chemistry, many of these species are struggling to survive in their original habitats. This raises a critical question: what does "native" truly mean when ecosystems are on the move?

Climate Mobility and Ecological Function

Species are not disappearing, they're relocating. Just as grapes now grow in parts of the UK where they never used to, Australian flora and fauna are adapting to new zones. Connecting Corridors recognises that ecological function, pollination, soil stabilisation, habitat provision, is often more important than strict geographic origin. They are exploring species from similar bioregions that can thrive under projected climate conditions without becoming invasive or ecologically disruptive.

A Values-Led Planting Philosophy

This shift is not a departure from stewardship, it's an evolution of it. Connecting Corridors remains committed to biodiversity, cultural respect, and long-term resilience. Its planting philosophy now includes climate-adapted, functionally appropriate species that support pollinators, resist drought, and contribute to ecological health. These choices are guided by a refusal to compromise on environmental integrity.

Stewardship in Practice

In corridor mapping and community gardens, Connecting Corridors is trialling mixed-species palettes that blend local natives with climate-resilient companions. Each planting is assessed for ecological impact, cultural relevance, and long-term viability. The goal is not to replace native species, but to support them, creating buffers, bridges, and biodiversity zones that can withstand the pressures of a warming world.

Connecting Corridors invites others to rethink rigid definitions and embrace a more nuanced, adaptive form of environmental care. In doing so, it continues to lead with clarity, courage, and a deep respect for the land and communities it serves.