Here you will find a calendar of Friends’ activities in the Gardens including lunchtime talks, social events, exhibitions and the ever-popular spring and autumn plant sales. In addition to events arranged by the Friends, we include some events arranged by the Gardens and by other organisations. A full list of events arranged by the Gardens is in their What's On webpage.
Calendar
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See all lunchtime talks | See all recent events
| Event title | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Plant Stories: Woven Tapestry Narratives exhibition at the Visitor Centre | Wednesday, 20 September 2023 - 9:00am to Sunday, 29 October 2023 - 4:30pm |
Australian tapestry artists tell personal, community, historical and mythical stories associated with Australian plants. In the materiality, colour and woven images they reflect our lives, contemporary issues and the plant world around us now. The official opening by Dr Judy West, with artist talks, will be held at 2pm on Sunday 24 September. All are welcome. |
| Emeritus Professor Valerie Kirk AM ‘Plant Stories: Woven Tapestry Narratives’ | Thursday, 21 September 2023 - 12:30pm |
Valerie, ANBG Artist-in-Residence 2022-2023, will talk about her adventures and experiences here and overseas and how they influenced her recent work. Bookings can be made until Wednesday night or until seating limits are reached. (Tickets are Free but a donation on entry is appreciated.) This talk will be held in the ANBG Theatrette. Booking link: https://www.trybooking.com/CJTYJ |
| Exhibition opening - Plant Stories: Woven Tapestry Narratives | Sunday, 24 September 2023 - 2:00pm |
The 'Plant Stories: Woven Tapestry Narratives' exhibition at the Visitor Centre will be officially opened by Dr Judy West, former Executive Director of the Gardens, at 2pm. Several of the artists will talk about their works. In the exhibition, Australian tapestry artists tell personal, community, historical and mythical stories associated with Australian plants. In the materiality, colour and woven images they reflect our lives, contemporary issues and the plant world around us now. Exhibitors include Joy Smith, Sara Lindsay, Cresside Collette, Kay Lawrence, Diana Wood Conroy, Dimity Kidston, Brenda Goggs, Shunyam Smith, Kirsty Darlaston, Suzanne Knight, Patsy Payne, Jennifer Sharpe, Australian Tapestry Workshop, Valerie Kirk, and Cheryl Thornton. All are welcome. |
| Secrets of the Australian Bush - a family adventure | Monday, 25 September 2023 - 10:30am to Thursday, 5 October 2023 - 11:30am |
Discover the amazing secrets of the plants that live in the Australian bush on this family-friendly tour at the Australian National Botanic Gardens. We will travel on our magical Flora bus, walk through the Rainforest Gully, visit the Red Centre Garden and finish at the Paperbark Treehouse. This one-hour tour is designed for children 4-10 years who must be accompanied by an adult. The tour runs at 10:30am 25, 27 and 29 September and 3 and 5 October. Bookings essential. Book HERE. (Tickets priced from $6.61 to $9.78 per person.) |
| Dr Toner Stevenson ‘Eclipse Chasers: astronomical observations in Australia and the Pacific’ | Thursday, 28 September 2023 - 12:00pm |
Toner, from University of Sydney, will explain the science of a total solar eclipse, how the temperature, plants and animals are impacted. Some exciting challenges from eclipses, including recent eclipse in Western Australia, will highlight the involvement of women and First Nations Peoples experiences and contributions. Toner is happy to sign copies of her book after the talk. Bookings can be made until the night before the talk or until seating limits are reached. (Tickets are Free but a donation on entry is appreciated.) This talk will be held in the ANBG Theatrette. Booking link: https://www.trybooking.com/CJTYN |
| Glenn Cocking. ‘Moths in the ACT: what might the Scott Sisters have found if they were here?’ | Thursday, 5 October 2023 - 12:30pm |
Glenn will give an overview of moths that live in the ACT, drawing attention to some that are very widespread, and particularly some that were studied by the Scott sisters. He will also give some guidance on how to go about identifying the myriad of moth species present in the ACT. Bookings can be made until the night before the talk or until seating limits are reached. (Tickets are Free but a donation on entry is appreciated.) This talk will be held in the ANBG Theatrette. Booking link: https://www.trybooking.com/CJTYR |
| Wake up with the Birds | Saturday, 7 October 2023 - 7:45am to Sunday, 8 October 2023 - 9:15am |
A wonderful opportunity to observe some of Canberra's amazing birdlife in the beautiful surrounds of the Australian National Botanic Gardens. In a small group, experience the Gardens early on a spring morning when the birds are nesting and at their most active. The 90-minute walk starts at 7.45 am. Bring your own binoculars if you have them. Bookings are essential and can be made at https://www.trybooking.com/CKFQH |
| Helen Kennedy ‘Melichrus urceolatus on Black Mountain is a different species to Melichrus urceolatus on Mount Ainslie!’ | Thursday, 12 October 2023 - 12:30pm to 1:30pm |
Helen, a local botanist, will present updated taxonomy for Melichrus, especially on the locally relevant results which show that Nancy Burbidge was right when she thought there were actually two species in the ACT. Bookings can be made until the night before the talk or until seating limits are reached. (Tickets are Free but a donation on entry is appreciated.) This talk will be held in the ANBG Theatrette. Booking link: https://www.trybooking.com/CJTYT |
| 52nd Black Mountain spring wildflower ramble | Saturday, 14 October 2023 - 9:30am |
Celebrate the spring flowering on beautiful Black Mountain with a social ramble for wildflower lovers, in the tradition established by Nancy Burbidge. Discover the surprising diversity of tiny orchids, bush peas, wattles and billy buttons on easy bush tracks with experienced guides and good company. After the rain we have had this year we are anticipating a special display of flowers. Friends of Black Mountain welcomes everyone: there will be several guides, who will take different directions. Bookings are essential - see full details |
| Don Beer Memorial Lecture 2023 - Jo White, ‘From little things big things grow’ | Thursday, 19 October 2023 - 12:30pm to 1:30pm |
Jo, Director of Questacon, will give insights about her journey; her time leading Science Education and Conservation at the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust including the National Herbarium of NSW, Australian PlantBank, and establishing the Education and Engagement Centre; plus Questacon’s journey and reconciliation actions. Bookings can be made until the night before the talk or until seating limits are reached. (Tickets are free but a donation on entry is appreciated.) This talk will be held in the ANBG Theatrette. Booking Link: https://www.trybooking.com/CJTYV |
| Dr Zoe Knapp ‘Safe Custody for Native Guava’ | Thursday, 26 October 2023 - 12:30pm to 1:30pm |
Zoe, of ANBG, will outline a national collaborative project to deliver conservation actions for Native Guava (Rhodomyrtus psidioides), which is highly susceptible to Myrtle Rust. The Australian Network for Plant Conservation led this collaborative project between botanic gardens and government agencies including the ANBG. Bookings open 22nd September until the night before the talk or until seating limits are reached. (Tickets are Free but a donation on entry is appreciated.) This talk will be held in the ANBG Theatrette. Booking Link: https://www.trybooking.com/CJTYW |
| Dr Erin Hahn ‘Conservation time machine: harnessing degraded DNA for wildlife protection’ | Thursday, 2 November 2023 - 12:30pm to 1:30pm |
Dr Erin Hahn, a wildlife Research Scientist at CSIRO will unveil the power of DNA in wildlife conservation. Discover how 100-year-old museum specimens help predict species' response to climate change, and how she’s collecting airborne DNA to monitor rare species and invasive species. A fascinating glimpse into the future of Australian wildlife protection! Bookings open 29th September until the night before the talk or until seating limits are reached. (Tickets are Free but a donation on entry is appreciated.) This talk will be held in the ANBG Theatrette. Booking link: https://www.trybooking.com/CJTYY |
