Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens

Plant Recognition Group – Can you tell a rush from a sedge?
2026-02-16 13:30 - 15:30 (Australia/Sydney) | Celia Rosser Room, Banksia Centre, Australian National Botanical Gardens, Canberra, Australia
World Wetlands Day is on 2 February 2026 and in recognition of this, the first PRG workshop of 2026 will be on these two key wetland families. It will enable participants to get to know the main features of rushes and sedges (Juncaceae and Cyperaceae) with the aim of being able to distinguish between these, using local species, by the end of the workshop.
The workshop will be led by Dr Jane Roberts, a retired vegetation ecologist, who was an ecological consultant in vegetation and water management, primarily on lowland rivers in the southern Murray-Darling Basin.
When: Monday 16 February 1.30 – 3.30pm including extra time to practice if you wish.
Where: Celia Rosser Room, Banksia Centre, ANBG.
Bookings ESSENTIAL: Please send your name and phone number to plantname@friendsanbg.org.au. Seats are limited for this session, so booking ahead is mandatory.
Please advise at least a day in advance if you need to cancel your booking, so that a member on the waiting list can be offered the place.

Talk on threatened species records and wildlife camera data
2026-02-18 10:00 - 13:30 | ANBG Theatrette, Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
About the event
This professional environmental practice talk offers an opportunity for you to gain an insight into the Atlas of Living Australia’s (ALA) need for more threatened species records and for wildlife camera data. (The event is run by The Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ), Australasia’s peak body for environmental practitioners. They harness the expertise of their members to progress environmental practice and advocate for improved sustainability outcomes.)
The ALA is a collaborative, digital, open infrastructure that pulls together Australian biodiversity data from multiple sources, making it accessible to all environmental practitioners.
How do we get more threatened species records?
While some species have millions of observations recorded in the ALA, many lesser-known species have few or even no records. How can we do to rectify this?
How do we collect, processes, and share data from wildlife camera traps?
Verified images from wildlife camera traps are available in the ALA but there is a need for more. What is the standard that underpins this richer and more informative data capture?
Who should attend?
This event will be of vital importance to anyone working in land management or biodiversity conservation, especially park rangers, environmental advisors, ecological consultants, impact assessment specialists, species data analysts, threatened species researchers and taxonomists. This event will also be of interest to naturalists, bird observers, citizen scientists and environmental groups.
This event includes a networking lunch.
Meet the Speakers
Juliet Seers | Training and Outreach Coordinator
Juliet Seers is the Training and Outreach Coordinator at the ALA and leads the Australian Biodiversity Data Mobilisation Program which focuses on closing data gaps and increasing public access to biodiversity data for research and decision making.
Cam Slatyer | Program Manager, National Biodiversity Data Initiatives
Cam Slatyer manages the taxonomic backbone of the ALA. Cam is an experienced Branch Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the museums and government sectors. Extensive experience in leading teams through change, policy development, liaison, negotiating difficult outcomes and developing innovative solutions to issues by harnessing different sectors in collaborative partnerships.
Peggy Newman | Data Manager
Peggy Newman is the Data Manager at the ALA and controls a team of data engineers who transfer, ingest, process and index datasets from hundreds of data providers.

Event details
When: 18 February 2026
10:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Where: Australian National Botanic Gardens Theatrette
Clunies Ross Street, Acton
Cost: $10 – EIANZ members, $100 non-members
Register at https://www.eianz.org/events/event/act-threatened-species-records-and-wildlife-camera-data
Contact: Event & registration enquiries: events@eianz.org or 03 8593 4142

Craig Moritz – Discovering diversity across Australia’s tropics
2026-02-19 12:30 - 13:30 | ANBG Theatrette, Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
Craig Moritz, from the ANU, will talk about the true species diversity of vertebrates in the monsoonal tropics, and how this matters for science, conservation, and ecological management.
You might think that we know all about Australia’s vertebrate species – what they are and where they occur. However, ongoing surveys and genetic analyses tell a different story – we have massively underestimated true species diversity across the vast monsoonal tropics. This matters for science, conservation, and informing ecological management, especially in areas owned and managed by our First Peoples.
Craig Moritz is an evolutionary biologist who likes nothing more than traveling to remote areas to survey animal diversity and interact with landholders. He is a Professor at ANU and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.
It is a good idea to reserve a seat at the talks that you wish to attend; several talks are booked out very quickly. Bookings can be made about 30 days in advance until Wednesday night before the talk.

Cameras and Cafe Walk
2026-02-21 08:40 - 10:30 | ANBG Bus Stop, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra, Australia
Join members of the Photographic Group for a stimulating and friendly photo walk.
As usual, be at the bus stop at 8.40 am to take advantage of the cooler hours. Participants can choose to move around the Gardens as a group or head off with their camera individually. We reconvene for a snack and beverage at Pollen Cafe at around 10.30 am.
At least one person from the Friends of ANBG Photographic Group Committee will be there to get things started, orchestrate introductions and provide help if needed. All levels of photographic knowledge and equipment are welcome.

Australian Plants as Bonsai Exhibition
2026-02-21 09:30 - 2026-02-22 16:00 | Crosbie Morrison Building, ANBG, Clunies Ross Street, Acton, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia
The Canberra Bonsai Society and the Australian National Botanic Gardens are pleased to present an exhibition of Australian Plants as Bonsai. The art of miniature trees in pots or trays started in China around 2000 years ago (penjing) and was taken up in Japan around 1200 years ago where it started to be called bonsai about 150 years ago.
The secret to looking old:
The exhibition will display over 40 bonsai and penjing and related items created by Canberra Bonsai Society members.
The tips for those beginning bonsai will be explained as part of the display and at the demonstrations. Bonsai can look old in just a few years by starting with mature stock or ‘growing on’ in the ground. Techniques to develop a wide trunk, dead branches or scars all give the tree the appearance of age. Many bonsai are passed from artist to artist over time as the trees may live for decades.
Bonsai can give enjoyment in caring for trees; be artistic in how the tree is styled and displayed; and social when sharing knowledge and expertise with members of the Canberra Bonsai Society.
We hope you enjoy the exhibition in 2026.
Exhibition Opening Hours
9:30am – 4:00pm
Location
Crosbie Morrison Building,
Australian National Botanic Gardens
Clunies Ross St, Acton, ACT
Follow the signs from the carpark, Visitor Centre or café.
Demonstration
11.00 am and 2:00pm daily
Admission
Adult $5.00
Concession $3.00
Accompanied children under 12 Free.
More information?
Email apab@cbs.org.au or phone Linda on 0408 286 252

Chris Mobbs – Bragg Street Park, Hackett: Increasing biodiversity through water harvesting
2026-02-26 08:00 - 17:00 | ANBG Theatrette, Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
Chris Mobbs, Convenor Bragg Street Park Volunteers, describes solving a drainage problem and creating an urban oasis with a great increase in the diversity of native plants.
Residents near a neighbourhood park in Hackett came together to solve a drainage problem. They ended up creating an urban oasis. Their project was funded with a Nature in the City grant in 2021.
It is now 4 years since the swales were built, and they have been very successful in preventing minor flooding in gardens downhill from the park. There have also been great results in increasing the diversity of native plants in the park – many have been planted by the park volunteers, but many self-seeding eucalypts have grown up in the swales.
Our volunteer group was very pleased when the ACT Government used our park as a case study in the recently released Stormwater Management for Community Groups guidelines: https://www.act.gov.au/open/stormwater-management-for-community-groups.
I am pleased that the photo on the cover of these guidelines is one of the swales in our park, and there are more details on page 25. As well as the swales successfully capturing water and the great growth of native plants, we had 5 species of frogs move into the park in the spring of 2023 and 2024. And in spring 2023, a lovely bearded dragon moved into the park. And last spring, we counted 4 smaller ones – we think these may have been offspring from the first dragon.
Chris Mobbs has a Bachelor’s in Applied Science (1976) from the then Canberra College of Advanced Education (now Uni of Canberra). My first job was an interpretation ranger (1976-84) with the then Conservation and Agriculture department (later renamed the ACT Parks and Conservation Service). My activities included taking people on day and night-time walks through Canberra’s nature reserves like Tidbinbilla, Black Mt, Mt Taylor, Mt Ainslie, and Majura, and preparing brochures about Canberra’s wildlife. In 1983-84, I co-hosted, with Mike Braysher, the Wildlife Biologist, a 30-minute segment called Canberra Bush and Fauna once every 3 weeks on ABC local radio morning program (then known as ABC 2CN but today is ABC 666). From 1984-96, I worked in the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service Education Section and then helped manage programs including Save the Bush, One Billion Trees, and the Waterwatch program. From 2000-07, I worked in the Chemical management program of the Federal Environment department before moving to energy efficiency programs until I retired in early 2017.
It is a good idea to reserve a seat at the talks that you wish to attend; several talks are booked out very quickly. Bookings can be made about 30 days in advance until Wednesday night before the talk.

Friends of ANBG Photographic Group Monthly Meeting
2026-02-27 10:00 - 12:00 | ANBG Theatrette, Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
The first regular Photographic Group meeting of the new year takes place on Friday 27 February at 10.00am in the Theatrette.
The meeting will kick off 2026 with an expansive ‘show and tell’ session.
Bring up to 12 images on a thumb drive to share with fellow members. Your favourite images of nature and wildlife taken over the past year or so are encouraged. The subject does not have to be in the Gardens. It’s a chance to show off your development as a photographer.
The meeting will also be an opportunity to hear about forthcoming Photographic Group activities.

Bernadette Duncan ‘Indigenous plant names and tea tasting’
2026-03-05 12:30 - 13:30 | ANBG Theatrette, Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
Kamilaroi woman Bernadette Duncan works with her community bringing people to language and knowledge through local teas. Taste the teas as Bernadette leads a talk about using native plants for teas and bush medicine.
Biography
It is a good idea to reserve a seat at the talks that you wish to attend; several talks are booked out very quickly. Bookings can be made about 30 days in advance until Wednesday night before the talk.
Booking Link – https://www.trybooking.com/DHLQI

Black Mountain Weeding Work Party
2026-03-07 08:30 - 11:30 | Lower level ANBG Carpark, Clunies Ross Street, Acton, ACT, 2601, Australia
We look forward to seeing you at our next weeding work party and morning tea:
Date: Saturday, 7 March 2026, 8:30 to 11:30am
Meet: Bottom row of Southern Carpark, Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG). When your come through main gate to ANBG, turn left immediately and park in this bottom row. If you are not already a member of the Friends of ANBG, a temporary parking permit will be arranged for you.
Look for banners.
Wear: HAT, sunscreen, long-sleeved shirt, long pants, gloves, stout shoes.
We shall break for delicious morning tea at about 10:00am
Please book: if you are planning to come, please let us know by using this booking link: https://www.trybooking.com/DIFKS
This helps us to let you know if arrangements need to change at the last minute (for example, adverse weather conditions).
If you need further information, please contact Linda by phone 0437 298 711.

Women Botanists, Balancing the Scale Themed Walks
2026-03-08 11:00 - 2026-03-14 14:00 | Clock near the bridge, ANBG, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia
To mark International Women’s Day on March 8th, this walk celebrates women in botany – the pioneering female researchers, scientists, artists and writers who contributed to the study of plants. Walking through the Gardens we will look at species that reference woman’s contribution to our knowledge and understanding of plants.
These free one-hour guided walks commence at 11am and 2pm each day for the week Sunday 8 March to Saturday 14 March.
Meet at the clock near the café bridge.
No booking required for individuals, but groups of more than six people should contact walks@friendsanbg.org.au a week before the planned walk.

Professor Eric Warrant 'The art of coming far with a tiny brain: The remarkable navigational abilities of the Australian Bogong moth'
2026-03-12 12:30 - 13:30 | ANBG Theatrette, Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
Some migratory insects can travel thousands of kilometres to a very specific place they have never been to before. But how do they know the direction to fly and how do they know when they have arrived?
In his talk, Eric will reveal how the nocturnal Bogong Moth, Agrotis infusa – uses the Earth’s magnetic field, the starry night sky and highly specific odours to fly 1000 kilometres to remote caves in the Australian Alps where they spend the summer.
Biography
Professor Eric Warrant is an Australian scientist who is Professor of Zoology at the University of Lund in Sweden. He is a Visiting Fellow at the Research School of Biology at the ANU, an Adjunct Professor at Adelaide University and is a Corresponding Member of the Australian Academy of Science. Eric studies vision and visual navigation in nocturnal and deep-sea animals, with his most recent work centred on the sensory basis of long- distance migration in the Bogong Moth.
Booking link: https://www.trybooking.com/DJKKG
Booking
Lunchtime talks are held at 12.30 pm every Thursday from February to November. Talks last for 1 hour. We welcome donations by gold coins, notes, or electronically. The Friends use donations received at each talk to support Gardens’ programs and development and we thank all those who have donated.
Unless otherwise indicated, talks are held in the ANBG Theatrette.
It is a good idea to reserve a seat at the talks that you wish to attend; talks may be booked out very quickly. Bookings can be made from about 30 days in advance until the night before the talk or until seating limits are reached.
Booking link: https://www.trybooking.com/DJKKG
The Friends of the ANBG thank the speakers who volunteer their time and talents to further the knowledge of all attending events in the Gardens. Many summaries or PowerPoint presentations of Thursday talks are available to Friends at the ANBG library. Please direct queries about the talks to the Thursday Talks Team: email talks@friendsanbg.org.au.

Growing Friends Autumn 2026 Native Plant Sale
2026-03-14 09:00 - 11:30 | Banksia Centre Car Park, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Save the date – it’s happening on Saturday, 14 March 2026 in the Banksia Centre car park. The sale runs from 9:00-11.30 am but typically sells out by 10.00 am. Don’t be late!
Plants are generally $6 or $10 per pot (unless otherwise indicated) and purchase is by card only.
With over 1000 plants for sale, and about a hundred native species and cultivars, there is a plant for every spot in your garden. We have old favourites like Correa ‘Dusky Bells’ and ‘Lemon Twist’, and the ever-popular yellow Straw Flower (Xerochrysum bracteatum).
Other popular plants include Brachyscomes, Banksias, Callistemons, Correas, Croweas, Grevilleas, Hakeas, Leptospermums, Pimeleas, Prostantheras, Telopeas, and Westringias. Those looking for ACT plants will be tempted by the Alpine Daisy Bush (Olearia algida) and the dainty Chamomile Sunray (Rhodanthe anthemoides).
These plants grow in Canberra’s challenging climate of low rainfall, hot summers and frosty winters. Growing these natives is one of the best ways to provide a better environment for local wildlife, especially for birds and insects. See the plant description list (PDF, 612 KB).
Plants are propagated by the Growing Friends from cuttings or seeds sourced within the ANBG with the support of ANBG staff. All proceeds from the sale go to the Friends to support the Gardens.
Prospective buyers are encouraged to bring their own carry bags and boxes.
Growers from the Australian Native Plants Society Canberra will be holding a separate sale on Saturday 21 March in the Southern car park.

Don Fletcher 'Goannas in the Canberra region and what is needed to conserve and restore them'
2026-03-19 12:30 - 13:30 | ANBG Theatrette, Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
Don will provide an introduction to goannas, particularly the local species. He’ll look at what local research is underway and what we need to do to conserve goannas for the future.
Biography
Don Fletcher is a retired ecologist leading the ‘National Parks Association Goanna Project’ which is a citizen science investigation of local goanna species, mainly Rosenberg’s Goanna (Varanus rosenbergi), which is sometimes called the Heath Monitor.
Booking Link: https://www.trybooking.com/DJUMO
Booking
Lunchtime talks are held at 12.30 pm every Thursday from February to November. Talks last for 1 hour. We welcome donations by gold coins, notes, or electronically. The Friends use donations received at each talk to support Gardens’ programs and development and we thank all those who have donated.
Unless otherwise indicated, talks are held in the ANBG Theatrette.
It is a good idea to reserve a seat at the talks that you wish to attend; talks may be booked out very quickly. Bookings can be made from about 30 days in advance until the night before the talk or until seating limits are reached.
The Friends of the ANBG thank the speakers who volunteer their time and talents to further the knowledge of all attending events in the Gardens. Many summaries or PowerPoint presentations of Thursday talks are available to Friends at the ANBG library. Please direct queries about the talks to the Thursday Talks Team: email talks@friendsanbg.org.au.

Cameras and Cafe Walk
2026-03-22 08:40 - 22:30 | ANBG Bus Stop, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra, Australia
Join members of the Photographic Group for a stimulating and friendly photo walk.
As usual, be at the ANBG bus stop at 8.40am to take advantage of the cooler hours. Participants can choose to move around the Gardens as a group or head off with their camera individually.
We reconvene for a snack and beverage at Pollen Cafe at around 10.30 am.
At least one person from the Friends of ANBG Photographic Group Committee will be there to get things started, orchestrate introductions and provide help if needed. All levels of photographic knowledge and equipment are welcome.

Lori Gould ‘Movement and behaviour of Latham’s Snipe at Jerrabomberra Wetlands: the results are in’
2026-03-26 12:30 - 13:30 | ANBG Theatrette, Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
Lori, will present the findings of the tracking research she has carried out over the past 3 years at Jerrabomberra Wetlands as part of the Lathams Snipe Project. They provide an exciting insight into the behaviour of Snipe during their non-breeding season in Canberra.
Biography
Lori runs an environmental planning and restoration business–Environmental Restoration Design and Planning (ERDP)–which specialises in natural resource management, particularly landscape rehabilitation, assessment, planning, monitoring and community engagement. Lori is a riparian restoration specialist and over the past 25+ years has managed dozens of large-scale projects (both riparian and terrestrial). Prior to ERDP, Lori ran consulting company GrassRoots Environmental from which ERDP evolved. Lori also developed community programs at the Jerrabomberra Wetlands for 5 years, was a Senior Project Manager for 16 years with Greening Australia, specialising in riparian and catchment management programs to improve water quality and biodiversity in rural Australia and before this a Park Ranger with ACT Parks and Conservation Service for 6 years.
Lori is a PhD candidate studying migratory birds, holds a Master’s Degree in Integrated Water Management, a Post Graduate Certificate in River Restoration and Management, an Environmental Science Degree and Associate Diploma in Animal Science. Lori is also a Fellow of the Peter Cullen Trust.
Booking Link – https://www.trybooking.com/DHLQS
Booking
Lunchtime talks are held at 12.30 pm every Thursday from February to November. Talks last for 1 hour. We welcome donations by gold coins, notes, or electronically. The Friends use donations received at each talk to support Gardens’ programs and development and we thank all those who have donated.
Unless otherwise indicated, talks are held in the ANBG Theatrette.
It is a good idea to reserve a seat at the talks that you wish to attend; talks may be booked out very quickly. Bookings can be made from about 30 days in advance until the night before the talk or until seating limits are reached.
The Friends of the ANBG thank the speakers who volunteer their time and talents to further the knowledge of all attending events in the Gardens. Many summaries or PowerPoint presentations of Thursday talks are available to Friends at the ANBG library. Please direct queries about the talks to the Thursday Talks Team: email talks@friendsanbg.org.au.

Friends Photographic Group Monthly Meeting
2026-03-27 10:00 - 11:00 | ANBG Theatrette, Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
The next regular meeting takes place on Friday 27 March at 10am in the Theatrette.
The guest presenter will be Cormac Farrell. Cormac is an environmental scientist and beekeeper, best known as the Head Beekeeper for the Australian Parliament. He also manages several apiaries throughout Canberra, including training apiaries, organic orchards, and tall rooftop apiaries.
Cormac will talk about his experiences as the head beekeeper of the Australian Parliament, and how photographs, video and other media have played a critical role in outreach and communication.
He will also touch on how the increasing popularity of native bee photography has helped move the public’s understanding of bees to move beyond honey and towards the role of pollinators in food security and the wider environment.

Linda Swift ‘Australian plants as bonsai’
2026-04-02 12:30 - 13:30 | ANBG Theatrette, Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
Linda, of Canberra Bonsai Society, will give tips and techniques that bonsai artists use to create mature, aged-looking trees.
Abstract
The theme for the Australian Plants as Bonsai Exhibition at the Australian National Botanic Gardens in February 2026 is ‘The secret to looking old’. A bonsai tree grows slowly in a small pot. There are tips and techniques that bonsai artists use to create mature, aged looking tree. Linda Swift will share these tips, illustrated with images of bonsai trees from the exhibition.
Biography
Linda is the manager of Canberra Bonsai Society’s Australia Plants as Bonsai exhibition. She has led the team managing the bonsai exhibition for the Canberra Bonsai Society for the last four years. Linda joined the Canberra Bonsai Society in 2012. Her collection of bonsai has expanded since then, with the majority of trees being Australian plants.
Booking Link – https://www.trybooking.com/DHLQV
Booking
Lunchtime talks are held at 12.30 pm every Thursday from February to November. Talks last for 1 hour. We welcome donations by gold coins, notes, or electronically. The Friends use donations received at each talk to support Gardens’ programs and development and we thank all those who have donated.
Unless otherwise indicated, talks are held in the ANBG Theatrette.
It is a good idea to reserve a seat at the talks that you wish to attend; talks may be booked out very quickly. Bookings can be made from about 30 days in advance until the night before the talk or until seating limits are reached.
The Friends of the ANBG thank the speakers who volunteer their time and talents to further the knowledge of all attending events in the Gardens. Many summaries or PowerPoint presentations of Thursday talks are available to Friends at the ANBG library. Please direct queries about the talks to the Thursday Talks Team: email talks@friendsanbg.org.au.

Plant Recognition Group – Getting to know native grasses [FULLY BOOKED]
2026-04-02 13:30 - 15:30 | Solander Studio, Banksia Centre, ANBG, ANBG Clunies Ross St, Acton, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia
The next Plant Recognition Group workshop will focus on local native grasses (family Poaceae) found in the ACT and the Southern Tablelands of NSW. Dr Michael Doherty will host a powerpoint presentation on grass identification and show selected samples. Binocular microscopes and aids for identification will be available for the workshop.
When: 1:30-3.30 pm on Thursday 2 April 2026, with extra time for personal practice if you wish. (Please note this is the PRG workshop scheduled for March that is now in early April to accommodate availability of the presenter and volunteers.)
Where: Solander Room, Banksia Centre, ANBG
Bookings ESSENTIAL: Please send your name and phone number to plantname@friendsanbg.org.au
This workshop is now fully booked.

Black Mountain Weeding Work Party
2026-04-04 08:30 - 11:30 | Lower level ANBG Carpark, Clunies Ross Street, Acton, ACT, 2601, Australia
We thank our volunteers at our March work party who removed almost 1,000 woody weeds from the area near the Black Mountain Drive.
We look forward to seeing you at our next weeding work party and morning tea:
Date: Saturday, 4 April 2026, 8:30 to 11:30am
Meet: Bottom row of Southern Carpark, Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG). When your come through main gate to ANBG, turn left immediately and park in this bottom row. If you are not already a member of the Friends of ANBG, a temporary parking permit will be arranged for you.
Look for banners.
Wear: HAT, sunscreen, long-sleeved shirt, long pants, gloves, stout shoes.
We shall break for delicious morning tea at about 10:00am
Please book: if you are planning to come, please let us know by using this booking link: https://www.trybooking.com/DIFKT
This helps us to let you know if arrangements need to change at the last minute (for example, adverse weather conditions).
If you need further information, please contact me by email friendsofblackmountain@gmail.com or phone 0437 298711.
Linda Beveridge
Friends of Black Mountain

Pat Wright 'Who's the Smartest, Plants or Animals?'
2026-04-09 12:30 - 13:30 | ANBG Theatrette, Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
Pat will look at the complex relationship between plants and animals.
Pat is a trained adult educator, and recently retired as a botanical guide and “Ambassador” for the ANBG.
Booking Link: https://www.trybooking.com/DHLQY
Booking
Lunchtime talks are held at 12.30 pm every Thursday from February to November. Talks last for 1 hour. We welcome donations by gold coins, notes, or electronically. The Friends use donations received at each talk to support Gardens’ programs and development and we thank all those who have donated.
Unless otherwise indicated, talks are held in the ANBG Theatrette.
It is a good idea to reserve a seat at the talks that you wish to attend; talks may be booked out very quickly. Bookings can be made from about 30 days in advance until the night before the talk or until seating limits are reached.
The Friends of the ANBG thank the speakers who volunteer their time and talents to further the knowledge of all attending events in the Gardens. Many summaries or PowerPoint presentations of Thursday talks are available to Friends at the ANBG library. Please direct queries about the talks to the Thursday Talks Team: email talks@friendsanbg.org.au.

19th Annual Art Exhibition of the Friends' Botanic Art Group
2026-04-10 09:30 - 2026-05-03 16:30 | Visitor Centre Gallery, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
The 19th Annual Art Exhibition by the Friends Botanic Art Group, entitled Wetlands, will be in the Visitor Centre Gallery from 10 April to 3 May 2025, from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
It features artworks of native flora, with a special focus on wetland plants and habitats. The works are in a variety of media from the more traditional watercolour to linocuts and scratchboard.
A special Members’ Preview will be held from 2pm to 4pm Thursday 9 April 2026.
All works are for sale.
Ludwigia peploides by Cornelia Buechen-Osmond

The National Seed Bank 'Taking our science and practice to the global and regional stage'
2026-04-16 12:30 - 13:30 | ANBG Theatrette, Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
This talk will cover some of the projects at the National Seed Bank, including testing the viability of seed in storage, the exchange of plant knowledge with the Mala women rangers at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, and the germination of Leionema and Phebalium species.
Abstract
This talk will capture some of the exciting projects underway at the National Seed Bank that were presented at the International and Australasian Seed Science conferences held in Perth and Horsham in September last year. These include a progress report on the NSB’s six year long project to re-test collections to determine germination requirements and assess ‘real time’ seed longevity in storage and, about the NSB’s ongoing relationship with the Mala women rangers at Uluru-Kata Tjuṯa National Park to exchange plant knowledge, collect seeds and develop a seed bank that represents important plants to Aṉangu and the central desert. The NSB will also introduce an exciting new project to improve knowledge about the dormancy and germination of Leionema and Phebalium (Rutaceae) species. The project will explore what drives germination in situ and to achieve reliable germination ex situ, providing insights to enhance the conservation and management of these and other ‘difficult to germinate’ Rutaceae species in seed banks around Australia.
Biography
Speakers: National Seed Bank team members: Dr Pip Alvarez, Millie Stevens, James Perkins, ANBG
Dr Pip Alvaraez
Technical Officer
Pip has recently finished her PhD with the University of Technology Sydney and Australian Botanic Garden. Her work focussed on understanding how heat stress impacts different stages in a plant’s life cycle, from seeds up to adults. Pip is involved in conducting germination tests and assists in running the biology laboratory to support research students, scientists, data collection and analysis at the NSB.
Millie Stevens
Seed Testing Manager
Millie leads the testing and retesting programs, investigating the viability and germination requirements of the NSB’s seed collections. Millie’s work also involves managing the biology laboratory to support research students, scientists and volunteers, and data collection and management to inform the use and curation of our seed collections.
Dr James Perkins
Research Officer
James has recently finished his PhD at the Australian National University. His research explored the chemical ecology and pollination of orchids, particularly underground orchids (Rhizanthella spp.). focused on the volatile compounds that attract pollinators to these unique plants. James has recently joined the NSB to lead the new research to uncover germination strategies of Leionema and Phebalium (Rutaceae) species.
Booking Link – https://www.trybooking.com/DHLRC
Booking
Lunchtime talks are held at 12.30 pm every Thursday from February to November. Talks last for 1 hour. We welcome donations by gold coins, notes, or electronically. The Friends use donations received at each talk to support Gardens’ programs and development and we thank all those who have donated.
Unless otherwise indicated, talks are held in the ANBG Theatrette.
It is a good idea to reserve a seat at the talks that you wish to attend; talks may be booked out very quickly. Bookings can be made from about 30 days in advance until the night before the talk or until seating limits are reached.
The Friends of the ANBG thank the speakers who volunteer their time and talents to further the knowledge of all attending events in the Gardens. Many summaries or PowerPoint presentations of Thursday talks are available to Friends at the ANBG library. Please direct queries about the talks to the Thursday Talks Team: email talks@friendsanbg.org.au.

Cameras and Cafe Walk
2026-04-18 08:40 - 10:30 | ANBG Bus Stop, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra, Australia
The next Cameras and Café Walk will be held on Saturday 18 April 2026.
Let’s maintain the excellent turnouts for these walks. It is a chance to widen your friendships within the Photographic Group and extend a welcome to fresh faces.
To be part of it you need to be at the bus stop at 8.40 am. Participants can choose to move around the Gardens as a group or head off with their camera individually. We reconvene for a chat at Pollen Cafe at around 10.30 am.
At least one person from the Friends of ANBG Photographic Group Committee will be there to get things started, orchestrate introductions and provide advice to anyone who needs it, especially new members, or members with new cameras or lenses who would like extra help and support.

Plant Recognition Group – Would you like to know more about Myrtaceae?
2026-04-20 13:30 - 15:30 | Solander Studio, Banksia Centre, ANBG, ANBG Clunies Ross St, Acton, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia
In April, Jane Cottee will be facilitating a plant recognition workshop on the Myrtaceae family, focussing on practical identification tips and useful botanical features and terminology. She will include some local species of Leptospermum, Kunzea and Callistemon and several other familiar genera. (Eucalyptus genus will not be included in any detail as this has been covered in a separate session.)
Jane taught horticulture for 25 years at Canberra Institute of Technology and has been a Volunteer Guide at the Australian National Botanical Gardens since 2019.
When: Monday 20 April 13.30 – 3.30pm including extra time to practice if you wish.
Where: Solander Studio, Banksia Centre, ANBG.
Bookings ESSENTIAL: Please send your name and phone number to plantname@friendsanbg.org.au Seats are limited for this session, so booking ahead is mandatory.
Please advise at least a day in advance if you need to cancel your booking, so that a member on the waiting list can be offered the place.

Masterclass - Designing Resilient Gardens [Sustainable Gardening Australia]
2026-04-22 19:00 - 20:00 | Online Zoom session, Australia
Join horticulturist Alistair Kirkpatrick for a practical, inspiring session on creating a garden that can handle Australia’s changing climate. Learn how to use plant layering, diversity and smart design to build shade, improve soil, and reduce watering. If your garden struggles with heat, hail or poor yields, you’ll walk away with simple ideas to get it thriving again.
This one-hour Zoom session costs $33.
Book here: https://weteachme.com/classes/1046998
Do you have a garden disaster story—hail smashing your camellias, summer sun scorching your tomatoes, or poor pollination leaving your fruit trees bare and plants constantly dying of thirst? Unsure what to plant, where, or when in this changing climate? Don’t give up just yet! Join horticulturist and landscape designer Alistair Kirkpatrick for this one-hour online Master Class. Using the real life case study of his own garden and home, Alistair will demonstrate the key components needed to make your garden more resilient to whatever the climate throws at it and how this can also impact the resilience of your own home. Topics covered include:

Climate changes across Australia and what they mean for our gardens
What nature teaches us: using plant density, complexity, and diversity to adapt
Insights from scientific research and local observations about what truly thrives
Creating shade and microclimates using both vertical and horizontal structures
Layering plants to boost transpiration and support nighttime cooling
Smarter plant choices, thoughtful clustering, and regenerative planting strategies
Why certain exotics—though sometimes controversial—might still deserve a place in your garden
Surface permeability, raised beds, and natural irrigation techniques—and how these can help you reduce or even eliminate the need for watering your garden

Join us and turn your garden challenges into long-term solutions!
All sessions are recorded and those booked in will receive the recording link which is active for two weeks. Friends of SGA receive a 15% discount on Master Class full price tickets. You can become a Friend of SGA here. Green Garden Professional (GGPs) receive a 30% discount.

Leo Joseph '12 Birds, 3 Books, 5 Cities, and 3 Continents: An Ornithological Life Not Yet Finished’
2026-04-23 12:30 - 13:30 | ANBG Theatrette, Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
Leo, recently retired from CSIRO, appreciates how pivotal it was for him to see certain species of bird in the wild in Australia and South America and the happy pursuit of a career studying evolution of birds, especially in these countries.
Abstract
Triggered by glimpses in childhood of Adelaide Rosellas and further ignited by experiences of almost inhaling books on Australian birds, seeing with awe museum collections of birds and not to mention a lifetime of camaraderie with like-minded friends and colleagues, I will look back (and ahead) on a life studying the evolution of Australian birds (with a little more yet to come). Having recently retired from CSIRO where I was Director of the Australian National Wildlife Collection from 2005-2025, I can look back and appreciate how pivotal it was for me to see certain species of birds in the wild, and to travel across Australian and South American landscapes, while all the while avidly absorbing the literature of ornithology and working with many colleagues. The result was perhaps dogged yet always happy pursuit of a career studying evolution of birds especially across Australia and South America.
Biography
Leo joined CSIRO as Director of the Australian National Wildlife Collection in November 2005. Originally from Adelaide, he developed an early but lifelong interest in the evolution of birds and especially in a museum collections environment, one that has always guided his work. He did undergraduate and Honours degrees at the University of Adelaide in 1977-79 and 1981, respectively. Then he worked in Australia and travelled in South America until doing a PhD at the University of Queensland from 1989-1994. For his thesis, he investigated the history of habitat diversity in eastern Australian rainforest birds. Then, from 1994-97, he held a Visiting Professorship in the Laboratorio De Evolución, Faculdad De Ciencias, Montevideo, Uruguay where he worked on shorebird evolution and the evolution of bird migration. His interest in integrating ecological diversity and evolution was by then well-established. In 1997 he took up a position in the Department of Ornithology at the then Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, in the USA. From 2003, he was Chair of the Department but returned to Australia in 2005. At CSIRO, he developed an extensive network of collaborators including fellow researchers in Australia, Europe and North America, postdoctoral researchers, PhD students and Honours students. He has amassed a body of work on the phylogeography and more recent evolutionary history of Australo-Papuan birds. He was awarded the D. L. Serventy medal for publication in Australian ornithology in 2018. In 2020 he was elected as a Fellow of the American Ornithological Societies. Despite all that, he remains a birdwatcher at heart and plans to do a lot more birdwatching in the coming years.
Booking Link – https://www.trybooking.com/DHLRE
Booking
Lunchtime talks are held at 12.30 pm every Thursday from February to November. Talks last for 1 hour. We welcome donations by gold coins, notes, or electronically. The Friends use donations received at each talk to support Gardens’ programs and development and we thank all those who have donated.
Unless otherwise indicated, talks are held in the ANBG Theatrette.
It is a good idea to reserve a seat at the talks that you wish to attend; talks may be booked out very quickly. Bookings can be made from about 30 days in advance until the night before the talk or until seating limits are reached.
The Friends of the ANBG thank the speakers who volunteer their time and talents to further the knowledge of all attending events in the Gardens. Many summaries or PowerPoint presentations of Thursday talks are available to Friends at the ANBG library. Please direct queries about the talks to the Thursday Talks Team: email talks@friendsanbg.org.au.

Photographic Group April Meeting
2026-04-24 10:00 - 12:00 | ANBG Theatrette, Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
The next regular meeting takes place on Friday 24 April at 10.00am in the Theatrette.
Stephen Hunter, the Photographic Group’s publicity officer, will talk about planning for overseas travel from a photographer’s perspective. He will illustrate his talk with stories and images from visits to Uzbekistan, Italy, India, Peru, Ecuador (Galapagos Islands and Amazon Basin), and the wilds of Patagonia.
Stephen will also bring along examples of the photo books he has compiled on his travels as well as the gear he uses to transport photographic equipment including in the field.
The meeting will also feature a further selection of images submitted for inclusion in the Gardens 2027 calendar
The regular show and tell session is on again. Bring up to six images on a thumb drive to share with your fellow PG members. You can include videos of up to ten seconds each if you choose.

Associate Professor Brad Tucker ‘The past, present and future of Mt Stromlo: Celebrating Mt Stromlo’s 100th anniversary’
2026-04-30 12:30 - 13:30 | ANBG Theatrette, Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
In its 100 years Mt Stromlo has been at the forefront of astronomical discoveries, but much of its history has remained hidden. Brad, from ANU, will talk about its past and how it is shaping the future of astronomy and Canberra, and how it is helping to combat light pollution.
Biography
Brad is an Astrophysicist/Cosmologist and Associate Professor at the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Mt. Stromlo Observatory and the National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, at the Australian National University.
Brad has Bachelor’s degrees in Physics, Philosophy, and Theology from the University of Notre Dame and a PhD in Astrophysics and Cosmology from Mt. Stromlo Observatory at the ANU. He’s involved in programs using space telescopes to find stars within the first hours of explosion, as well as surveys to measure the growth rate of the Universe. He’s developing an ultraviolet space telescope, as well as uses machine learning to combat light pollution as well as gaining insights into the public’s understanding of science.
Booking Link – https://www.trybooking.com/DHLRH
Booking
Lunchtime talks are held at 12.30 pm every Thursday from February to November. Talks last for 1 hour. We welcome donations by gold coins, notes, or electronically. The Friends use donations received at each talk to support Gardens’ programs and development and we thank all those who have donated.
Unless otherwise indicated, talks are held in the ANBG Theatrette.
It is a good idea to reserve a seat at the talks that you wish to attend; talks may be booked out very quickly. Bookings can be made from about 30 days in advance until the night before the talk or until seating limits are reached.
The Friends of the ANBG thank the speakers who volunteer their time and talents to further the knowledge of all attending events in the Gardens. Many summaries or PowerPoint presentations of Thursday talks are available to Friends at the ANBG library. Please direct queries about the talks to the Thursday Talks Team: email talks@friendsanbg.org.au.

Australian Parliament House Autumn Courtyard Tours
2026-05-01 10:00 - 2026-05-23 12:00 | Australian Parliament House, Parliament Drive, Canberra, ACT, Australia
Led by one of our knowledgeable guides, this walking tour offers a rare opportunity to explore courtyards not usually open to the public and view the renowned Budget Tree. This autumn, discover Parliament House not only as the home of Australia’s democracy, but as a landmark of landscape architecture and design.
Tour schedule
On Fridays and Saturdays from 1 to 23 May at 10:00 am, 11:00 am and 12:00 pm.
Accessibility friendly tours
On Friday 8 May and Friday 22 May at 10am. Please book via the Accessible Tour accessible tour link. For further details regarding accessibility at Parliament House, please contact us on 02 6277 5399.
Identification requirements
All participants must present valid photo identification. Without photo ID, a private areas pass cannot be issued and entry to the tour will be denied.
What to expect
This is a walking tour that travels through internal spaces and outdoor courtyards. Participants may encounter uneven surfaces and varying weather conditions. Comfortable footwear and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended.
Please arrive at Parliament House 10 minutes before your tour, as the event will begin on time.
Optional refreshment package
You can add a refreshment package to your ticket, which includes a freshly baked scone and a hot beverage of your choice from Queen’s Terrace Café.
Bookings
Bookings are essential and can be made online at the Parliament House website

Black Mountain Weeding Work Party
2026-05-02 09:00 - 12:00 | Caswell Drive entry on the mountain side, Caswell Drive, Aranda, ACT, 2614, Australia
We thank our volunteers at our April work party who removed almost 600 woody weeds, some of which were more difficult to remove than others.
We look forward to seeing you at our next weeding work party and morning tea:
Date: Saturday, 2 May 2026, 9:00am to 12noon
Meet: Caswell Drive entry on the mountain side.
Drive from Belconnen Way southwards along Caswell Drive towards Glenloch Interchange, Woden, or Tuggeranong. Note the yellow diamond shape advisory sign showing access road on left (mountain side) and the blue and white “P” sign for parking. Pull into the carpark carefully. Look for banners.
Wear: HAT, sunscreen, long-sleeved shirt, long pants, gloves, stout shoes.
We shall break for delicious morning tea at about 10:30am
Please book: if you are planning to come, please let us know by using this
booking link: https://www.trybooking.com/DIFKU
This helps us to let you know if arrangements need to change at the last minute (for example, adverse weather conditions).
If you need further information, please contact me by email friendsofblackmountain@gmail.com or phone 0437 298711.
Linda Beveridge
Friends of Black Mountain
