Anna Howe ‘Southern California meets Australian Native in Canberra in the 1970s’
2024-10-24 12:30 - 13:30 (Australia/Canberra)
Anna will look at how the influence of southern Californian ideas for town planning and architecture were overtaken by Australian native garden movement in in Canberra. Some shared characteristics of both areas now face some common challenges that raise concerns about the future of our Bush Capital.
Abstract
The growth of Canberra in the 1970s saw many ideas of town planning and architecture transplanted from southern California. Transplanted elements of garden design and landscaping were however soon overtaken as the emergence Australian native garden movement that saw local indigenous plants spread in private gardens and public landscaping. Some shared environmental and botanical characteristics however mean that both areas now face some common challenges that raise concerns about the future of our Bush Capital.
Biography
Anna Howe PhD
Anna’s BA and MA were in urban geography, and her PhD at Monash was a geographical analysis of systems of aged care in Melbourne which took her into a career in research and policy work in ageing and aged care. Anna retired about 12 years ago and moved back to Canberra around that time. Anna lived here in 1975 when she worked in the Department of Urban and Regional Development, and again from 1989-93 when she was head of the Office for the Aged in the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing. Anna is finding many avenues for exploration of trees, parks and gardens through the National Trust, the Australian Garden History Society and the Arboretum as well as the ANBG Friends.
Booking Link: https://www.trybooking.com/CTFXD
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/CTFXD
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 AGM 2024
2024-10-24 15:00 - 17:00
The 36th Annual General Meeting of the Friends of the ANBG will be held in the ANBG Theatrette at 3pm, followed by light refreshments in the Dickson Room.
Please arrive at 2.45 pm for a 3.00 pm start. If you plan to attend the meeting, please advise by email to secretary@friendsanbg.org.au. This will assist us with catering, and it will also assist in ensuring that we have the required quorum of 25 members present.
Elections will be held for the position of President, Secretary, and three Ordinary Members. If a current member of Council nominates for and is elected to another vacant position, there will be an additional vacancy for an Ordinary Member or Office Bearer. This may result in an election for the position of Vice President.
The agenda includes proposed amendments to the Friends Constitution, to accommodate the establishment of a Gift Fund, and to revise provisions relating to dispute resolution. The resolution is “That the Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens Incorporated adopt by Special Resolution the draft Constitution dated September 2024.”
Notices and further details of the meeting will be available on this website and through our e-newsletter nearer the date, along with meeting papers and nomination forms.
The agenda and meeting papers can be downloaded from the following links. Please check these documents as we will not be providing hard copies to everyone at the meeting, to minimise our environmental footprint.

All 2024 AGM papers (revised 2024-10-09) (Zipped, 2MB)

or as individual files:

AGM Agenda October 2024 (revised 2024-10-07) (PDF, 75KB)
Draft Minutes – 35th AGM 2023 (PDF, 342KB)
Draft Constitution September 2024 (PDF, 354KB)
Audited Financial Statements 2023-24 (PDF, 1.22MB)
President’s Report 2024 AGM (PDF, 81KB)
Treasurer’s Annual Report AGM 2024 (PDF, 97KB)
Nomination Form for FANBG Council 2024 (PDF, 91KB)
Appointment of Proxy for FANBG AGM 2024 (PDF, 154KB)

Special viewing of Visitors Centre and Tasmanian Rainforest Fogging system
2024-10-24 16:30 - 17:15
All Friends of the ANBG are invited to a Special viewing of the new display in the Visitor Centre foyer, and the new fogging system in the Tasmanian Rainforest section.
This free event will commence from the Visitor Centre at 4:30pm following the AGM.
Please RSVP by 21 October 2024 (acceptances only) by booking at https://www.trybooking.com/CWHAN

Dr Mitzy Pepper ‘How geomorphology controls biodiversity (especially lizards) in the Australian deserts’
2024-10-31 12:30 - 13:30
Dr Mitzy Pepper, an ARC DECRA Fellow at ANU, will focus on the exciting synthesis of biology and geomorphology in understanding the evolution of both the biodiversity, and the landscapes of the Australian deserts.
Abstract
The distribution of lizards in arid Australia is an example of the complex influence of geology, climate and geomorphological processes in shaping contemporary genetic patterns. Mitzy’s talk will focus on the exciting synthesis of biology and geomorphology in understanding the evolution of both the biodiversity, and the landscapes of the Australian deserts. She will touch on case studies in the rocky Pilbara region of Western Australia and contrast this to evolutionary patterns we see in the low-lying dune systems of eastern Australia.
Biography
Dr Mitzy Pepper is an Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) Fellow in the Keogh Lab at the ANU. Her areas of interest are evolutionary biology, herpetological systematics and biogeography. She uses genetic data to understand where biodiversity is high, where it is low, how species in different parts of Australia are related to one another, the timing of evolutionary events and how the demographic history of populations has changed through time. Mitzy is particularly interested in understanding the influence of historical climate change and the evolution of the Australian landscapes on genetic patterns in Australia’s arid regions.
Booking Link: https://www.trybooking.com/CTFXG
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/CTFXG
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.

Black Mountain Weeding Work Party
2024-11-02 08:30 - 11:30
Thank you very much to our wonderful weeders for removing more than 835 woody weeds at our October work party in the grassland and woodland area of Black Mountain Nature Reserve.
We look forward to seeing you at the next work party on 2 November. We are starting at 8:30am now that it is Summer time.
Date: Saturday, 2 November 2024, 8:30 to 11:30am
We plan to remove lots of non-local acacia and other woody weeds
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.
Bring: more of your friends if you wish, as everyone is welcome.
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 booking using this booking link: https://www.trybooking.com/CRZWD
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 Stuart by phone 0435 964 028.
We look forward to seeing you at our next work party.
Linda Beveridge
Convenor, Friends of Black Mountain

Shelley Rowntree ‘Unpicking the complexity of Chrysocephalum (Gnaphalieae, Asteraceae)’
2024-11-07 12:30 - 13:30
Shelley, a holder of a Friends ANBG scholarship, will look at questions about the Chrysocephalum genus, the limits of its species, and dominant processes affecting the breeding and conservation of Chrysocephalum.
Abstract
The Gnaphalieae (paper daisy tribe, Asteraceae) are the largest tribe of Asteraceae in Australia, with c. 500 species. Relationships within clades remain unresolved, and generic concepts are often based on few morphological characters rather than demonstrated relatedness and inference of synapomorphies.
Chrysocephalum Walp is a medium-sized genus in the Australian Gnaphalieae occurring across all states of Australia. The Australian Plant Census currently recognises nine species of Chrysocephalum and two phrase-name species. In revising the C. apiculatum / semipapposum complex, Wilson (2016) recognised 29 and 5 subspecies, respectively, based on morphological characters. The subspecies are highly complex, with some appearing as distinctive as traditionally recognised species and, in some cases, having previously been recognised as such (e.g. C. asperum Steetz). The project aims to answer the questions: (1) Does Chrysocephalum represent a cohesive genus? What is its relationship with other genera? (2) What are the limits of species within Chrysocephalum? What evolutionary processes explain the morphological complexity of the genus in eastern Australia? (3) What are the dominant processes affecting the breeding and conservation of Chrysocephalum?”
Biography
Shelley Rowntree, PhD Candidate, University of New England, and recipient of a Friends ANBG scholarship. Shelley left behind a career in IT to pursue her passion for plants. She is now doing a PhD at the University of New England, Armidale, in collaboration with CANBR. Her interests include the systematics and evolution of flowering plants, especially Asteraceae (daisy family) and Cyperaceae (sedges). She is passionate about documenting biodiversity and uses DNA sequence data and morphology to help make sense of diverse plant groups and evolutionary processes.
Booking Link: https://www.trybooking.com/CTFXH
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/CTFXH
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.

Josh Coates ‘Australian alpine pollinators in a changing world’
2024-11-14 12:30 - 13:30
Josh, a PhD student from the Fenner school at ANU, will present his research in pollination ecology in Kosciuszko National Park, from the community level down to a few case studies of charismatic species such as the Bogong moth.
Abstract
Pollinators in Australia’s alpine ecosystems display unique adaptations that allow them to persist in a cold climate. Despite being buried under snow for half of the year, these harsh environments support a diverse array of flowering plants and insect pollinators. Unfortunately, these environments will also see some of the earliest and most severe effects of warming under climate change. Josh, a PhD student from the Fenner school at ANU, will present his research in pollination ecology in Kosciuszko National Park, from the community level down to a few case studies of charismatic species such as the Bogong moth.
Biography
Josh Coates is a final-year PhD Student at the Fenner School of Environment and Society ANU. His research focuses on alpine pollination ecology, which he fell into after a life-long interest in creepy crawlies. He also works at CSIRO’s National Insect Collection, and as part of the ACT Snake Removal service.
Booking Link: https://www.trybooking.com/CTFXJ
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/CTFXJ
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.

In the Gardens, After Dark
2024-11-15 19:00 - 21:00
Cost $20, bookings essential
Friends members are invited to a special after-dark tour of the Gardens. Led by one of the rangers, the walk will take us through a landscape which looks quite different at night, and is home to nocturnal creatures great and small!
This magical experience will happen on Friday 15 November 2024. We will gather at 7 pm for after-dinner refreshments, then set out on our adventure in the Gardens, finishing at about 9 pm.
Please be aware that the walk will be outdoors, at night, and dress accordingly.
The cost is $20 per person. This event is specially for Friends members, and is suitable for ages 12 and over.
Book here: https://www.trybooking.com/CWDAQ Please book early as numbers are limited.
The Friends of the ANBG wish to thank the Gardens for the offer of this experience at a significant discount.
Queries to: events@friendsanbg.org.au

Shiona Mackie 'Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh'
2024-11-19 14:45 - 15:45
Shiona Mackie, an active volunteer at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh (RBGE), will be visiting Canberra in November and will be doing a talk about the RBGE – its history, the restoration and renovation of the glasshouse, and the scientific and conservation work that is currently underway.
When: 2.45 to 3.45 pm Tuesday 19 November.
Where: ANBG Theatrette
Cost: Free
No bookings required

Tasha James ‘Endemics on the Edge - Investigating threat management in an island population of endangered endemic species - A case study at Mt. Imlay, NSW’
2024-11-21 12:30 - 13:30
Tasha, recipient of the Don Beer Memorial Scholarship, will explore if and how endemic species on Mt Imlay might persist in situ in the face of different threats, and to build knowledge to inform effective in situ and ex situ conservation strategies.
Abstract
Substantial resources are allocated to managing threatened and endemic species in situ, with an increasing reliance on ex situ conservation methods. Yet little is known about how different species will persist in situ in the presence of various threats. Further, ex situ conservation methods, such as establishing insurance populations, are often approached with little information about population genetic structure or species biology. This research will explore if and how species might persist in situ in the face of different threats, building knowledge to inform effective in situ and ex situ conservation strategies.
Mt Imlay will form the study site for exploring how threats influence the survivability of locally restricted endemic species1. Mt Imlay is recognised by the NSW Government as an Asset of Intergenerational Significance, along with several threatened species endemic to the mountain1. These species include Eucalyptus imlayensis (Critically Endangered under the EPBC Act and a top 110 priority species in the Threatened Species Strategy 2021–2031), Hibbertia circinata, Boronia imlayensis, Oxylobium ellipticum and Olearia rugosa subsp. distalilobata.
The long-term persistence of these species is likely to be impacted by threats occurring on different temporal and geographical scales, including climate change, Phytophthora dieback, and recent intense fire. Island (in this case mountain-top) endemic species are inherently more vulnerable to threats, therefore, understanding the true impact upon them will help determine the potential for species persistence in situ.
This research will inform both ex situ and in situ conservation strategies and will advance the emerging discipline of ‘conservation horticulture’. This includes informing how resources can be best allocated to horticultural techniques, e.g. for management of genetic diversity in ex situ collections.
Biography
Tasha James, PhD Candidate, University of Canberra, and recipient of the Don Beer Memorial Scholarship.
Booking Link: https://www.trybooking.com/CTFXL
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/CTFXL
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 of the ANBG Photographic Group Annual Exhibition: illuminate '24
2024-11-28 09:30 - 2024-12-15 16:30
The Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens Photographic Group presents their 11th Annual Exhibition: illuminate ‘24.
‘Illuminate’ has two meanings: one is about physical light, and the other is about intellectual or spiritual enlightenment.
The Group aims to share their passion for discovering, appreciating and valuing Australia’s unique flora and fauna as seen through the lenses of their cameras.
The exhibition is in the Visitor Centre Gallery. Entry is free.

Photo: Phil Green

Prof Peter Kanowski ‘Reviving the Arboretum Dream: the making of the National Arboretum Canberra’
2024-11-28 12:30 - 13:30
The National Arboretum Canberra was more than 100 years in the making; a large arboretum was envisaged as part of Canberra’s design from the outset. Peter Kanowski will reflect on how that longstanding idea finally took shape, and the shape it took.
Biography
Prof Peter Kanowski is Professor of Forestry at the ANU Fenner School of Environment and Society. He works on forest governance issues internationally, nationally and locally.
Peter is an ANU forestry graduate who completed his DPhil at Oxford University’s Forestry Institute, and was a lecturer there, before returning ANU as Chair of Forestry in 1995. He took leave from ANU to be Deputy Director General of the Center for International Forestry Research 2012 – 14, and has also been Master of University House at ANU since 2014. Peter’s academic work currently focuses on international forest governance (with the University of Freiburg), tree plantations and smallholder tree growing (with The Forests Dialogue and ACIAR), and urban forests (with ACT, ANU and Singapore colleagues).
Booking Link: https://www.trybooking.com/CTFXM
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/CTFXM
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.

Black Mountain Weeding Work Party
2024-12-07 08:30 - 12:30
Dear Friends,
As usual for the first Saturday of the month, we look forward to seeing you at the next work party on 7 December. We will be meeting at a different place.
Thank you very much to our wonderful weeding work party for removing more than 300 woody weeds, including mature woody weeds last month in the grassland area of Black Mountain Nature Reserve.
Details of the next weeding work party (including the booking link) are:
Date: Saturday, 7 December 2024, 8:30 to 11:30am
We plan to remove lots of non-local acacia and other woody weeds.
Meet: at the electricity sub-station, Frith Road, Acton.
Bring: more of your friends if you wish, as everyone is welcome.
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 booking using this booking link: https://www.trybooking.com/CRZWE
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.
We look forward to seeing you at our next weeding work party.
Linda Beveridge
Convenor, Friends of Black Mountain

Black Mountain Weeding Work Party
2025-01-04 08:30 - 11:30
We plan to remove lots of woody weeds.
Meet: at the electricity sub-station, Frith Road, Acton.
Bring: your gloves, if you wish.
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 booking at https://www.trybooking.com/CXWCG

Snakes Alive!
2025-01-13 10:00 - 2025-01-19 14:30
This week-long exhibition showcases a variety of Australian reptiles and amphibians – many of which are threatened, endangered and rarely seen in the wild or in captivity.
Get up close and enjoy live displays, feeding and handling of snakes, lizards, frogs, turtles and crocodiles while learning more about these fascinating animals.
Location: Banksia Centre, ANBG
There are four sessions a day at 10am, 11:30am, 1pm and 2:30pm.
BOOK HERE.
Adult $10.84, Concession $9.78, Child $8.72
Alternative 40-minute low sensory sessions are available to book for 9 am on 14 and 18 January 2025.
All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Black Mountain Weeding Work Party
2025-02-01 08:30 - 11:30
We plan to remove lots of woody weeds.
Meet: at the electricity sub-station, Frith Road Acton.
Bring: your gloves, if you wish.
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 booking using this booking link: https://www.trybooking.com/CYKIV

Dr Roger Farrow - 'Plant recovery after 2020 mega-fires'
2025-02-06 12:30 - 13:30
Roger, an unretired entomologist previously with the CSIRO, will describe the resilience of flora after the 2020 infernos in the Morton and Tallaganda National Parks.
Much of the above ground vegetation of Morton and Tallaganda National Parks was totally incinerated in the inferno of January 2020. The story of its recovery is a complex one, but confirms that the flora is highly adapted to survive such infernos. Five years on, a complex pattern of succession is already apparent in two different plant communities: heathland in Morton NP, and forest in Tallaganda NP.
Since Roger’s retirement from the CSIRO, he has pursued his interest in insect natural history, publishing an ecological and behavioural guide to the insects of south eastern Australia (CSIRO 2018) and studying insect pollination. This links to his other interest, native plants and their ecology. This has developed through his membership of the Australian Native Plant Society and participation in field trips to identify plants in a range of different habitats.
Bookings open a month before the talk.
Booking Link: https://www.trybooking.com/CXTOX

Plant Recognition Group - Getting to know local native grasses
2025-02-08 09:30 - 12:00
The next Plant Recognition Group workshop will focus on the common 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, keys and other aids for identification will be available for the workshop.
When: 9:30am-12.00 on Saturday 8 February 2025.
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.

Dr Jane Roberts - 'Macrophytes in upland ACT streams: overlooked and under-rated'
2025-02-13 12:30 - 13:30
Dr Jane Roberts, a retired ecologist from University of Canberra, will present the findings of a survey done in summer 2022, on stream plants in upland streams of the ACT.
Jane will present the findings of a survey done in summer 2022 on stream plants in upland streams of the ACT. Not much is known about this group of plants and while they are routinely overlooked, they are important in stream ecology. The geographic patterns revealed by the survey will be explored to determine the role of physical conditions, extreme environmental disturbances (floods, fire) and the legacy of past land use.
Jane trained in natural resources and botany and became an ecological consultant to government in vegetation and water management. After a decade as a research scientist in the Riverina, she became an ecological consultant based in Canberra, but working in the Murray-Darling Basin for state and federal governments. Since retirement, she has pursued her interest in riverine and wetland plants, through projects, photography, and citizen science. Her primary aim is to raise the profile of these plants in the local region.
Bookings open a month before the talk.
Booking Link: https://www.trybooking.com/CXTOY

Dr John Turnbull - 'Emigrant Eucalypts: successes and failures'
2025-02-20 12:30 - 13:30
Dr John Turnbull, a former CSIRO forest research scientist, will trace the spread of eucalypts throughout the world from their discovery by European explorers in the eighteenth century to their use in present day agroforestry and fast-growing industrial plantations. Conservation and sustainability issues with eucalypt plantations in some countries will be discussed.
Dr John Turnbull has a BSc Forestry degree from the University of Wales and a PhD in eucalypt genecology from ANU. He is a former Senior Forestry Research Scientist at CSIRO and Chief Scientist at the International Forest Research Centre in Indonesia. He has managed collaborative forest research projects and provided consultancy services to many countries on the use of Australia trees in plantations. He was consultant to China’s one-million-hectare multi-species plantation project. Since retiring in 1999 he has been a Volunteer Guide at ANBG.
Bookings open a month before the talk.
Booking Link: https://www.trybooking.com/CXTPB

Photography Group - Cameras and Café walk
2025-02-22 08:45 - 10:30
The next Friends of ANBG Photography Group Cameras and Café walk will be held on Saturday 22 February. We meet at the bus stop at around 8.45 am, then follow our interests and instincts around the Gardens. Regroup for a refreshment and conversation at Pollen Cafe at around 10.30 am.
At least one member of the Friends of ANBG Photography Group Committee will be there to lead the activity. All levels of photography skill are welcome. After our initial gathering at the bus stop you can stay with the group or separate if you wish.

Phillippa Alvarez - 'The bottleneck and the beginning of the plant universe: thermal tolerance in the early stages of a plant’s lifecycle'
2025-02-27 12:30 - 13:30
A plant will go through many stressors in its’ life, but is there a point in its’ lifecycle it is most vulnerable to stress, particularly heat stress? This talk looks at the thermal tolerance of seeds, freshly sprouted germinants and seedlings.
Pip is the Seedbank Technical Officer here at ANBG. In her spare time, she is working on the final steps of her PhD thesis looking at thermal tolerance in the early life stages of plants from extreme biomes. Her work, in both instances, hopes to shed some light into best seed conservation practices.
Bookings open a month before the talk.
Booking Link: https://www.trybooking.com/CXTPE

Photography Group February meeting - Ben Harvey speaks on wildlife photography
2025-02-28 10:30 - 12:00
Ben Harvey, a well-known and highly-regarded Canberra photographer, will make a presentation on wildlife photography to the monthly meeting of the Photography Group. The meeting will also include our regular Show and Tell segment in which participants share their photographic works and the background to them.
The meeting will take place in the ANBG Theatrette. All members of the Friends are welcome to come along. The Photography Group members have a range of skill sets and cameras, from digital ‘point and click’ cameras to more complex SLRs. If you would like to attend, just turn up, email photo@friendsanbg.org.au, or contact a committee member.

Visit the Gardens’ Birds - now booked out
2025-03-01 00:00 - 23:59
Visit the Gardens early in the morning, and discover some of the fascinating secrets of the Gardens’ birds. The Gardens are a hot spot for bird activity, with water and nectar in abundance.
On Saturday 1 or Sunday 2 March 2025, join experienced guides who will show you some of the favourite haunts of a number of birds, and tell you about their habits.
Bring your binoculars (or there will be a small number of pairs to borrow if you don’t have any).
Dates: Saturday 1 March and Sunday 2 March
Time: 7.45 am (birds like to get up early!)
Meet at: ANBG Visitor Centre
Cost: $10
Now fully booked.
This event is specially for Friends members and their families (but is unfortunately not really suitable for children aged under 8).

Friends of Black Mountain working party
2025-03-01 08:30 - 11:30
We are looking forward to our next work party, which will be working in the ANBG.
Meet at the electricity sub-station, Frith Road, Acton.
Bring water, and wear a hat, sunscreen, long-sleeved shirt, long pants, gloves, and stout shoes.
We shall break for delicious morning tea at about 10:00am.
Please book at https://www.trybooking.com/CYPVB if you are planning to come. 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 on 0437 298 711.

Visit the Gardens’ Birds - now booked out
2025-03-02 00:00 - 23:59
Visit the Gardens early in the morning, and discover some of the fascinating secrets of the Gardens’ birds. The Gardens are a hot spot for bird activity, with water and nectar in abundance.
On Saturday 1 or Sunday 2 March 2025, join experienced guides who will show you some of the favourite haunts of a number of birds, and tell you about their habits.
Bring your binoculars (or there will be a small number of pairs to borrow if you don’t have any).
Dates: Saturday 1 March and Sunday 2 March
Time: 7.45 am (birds like to get up early!)
Meet at: ANBG Visitor Centre
Now fully booked.
This event is specially for Friends members and their families (but is unfortunately not really suitable for children aged under 8).

Brad Desmond - 'Small Seeds, Big Impact: How dedicated small-scale projects can save Australia’s threatened flora'
2025-03-06 12:30 - 13:30
Join Brad Desmond from the Australian Seed Bank Partnership to discover the vital role of ex situ conservation in protecting Australia’s most threatened plants. He will introduce the goals of the Partnership and highlight two small but powerful projects: the Critically Endangered Project, which focuses on banking, researching, and restoring ten critically endangered species in WA and Tasmania; and the Seeds of Hope Project, a community-funded initiative in collaboration with First Nations partners which focuses on conserving a vulnerable Conostylis species. Even modest support can make a big impact in safeguarding Australia’s unique flora.
Biography
Brad Desmond is the Assistant Coordinator of the Australian Seed Bank Partnership, Australia’s only national alliance of conservation seed banks. An environmental scientist with 10 years’ experience in NGO, industry and public service sectors, Brad facilitates collaborative seed banking, research and knowledge sharing initiatives on behalf of the Partnership.
Bookings open 31 January.
Booking link: https://www.trybooking.com/CXZXB

Gardens’ Growing Friends - Autumn native plant sale
2025-03-08 00:00 - 23:59
Please note that this sale typically sells out before 10.00am.
Hundreds of plants, including groundcovers, grasses and shrubs, will be on sale from the car park between the Banksia Centre and the Crosbie Morrison Building.
Sales are by card only, and pots are all $6.
Discerning native plant lovers will be able to choose the right plant for their garden, courtyard or balcony from this plant description list, and find out about planting and care of new plants from our guidelines..
Plants are propagated by Growing Friends from cuttings or seeds sourced from within the Gardens, and all proceeds help support the Gardens.
Be early as plants sell out fast!

Butterfly Walks on Black Mountain - now booked out
2025-03-09 10:30 - 15:00
Butterflies love the warmth of sunshine so we are keeping our fingers crossed for a delightfully sunny day as we look for butterflies in the Black Mountain Nature Reserve.
In autumn we see not only how colourful butterflies are when they fly but also how well “camouflaged” they are when resting on logs or rocks. Which butterflies will we see? Imperial Jezebels, Australian Painted Ladies, Common Brown butterflies and/or others in Autumn? We all love sunlight, and many sweet-scented flowers, at least those of long tubular form, rely on butterflies and moths to pollinate them. Join our local expert, Dr Suzi Bond to see and hear about butterflies, and the plants they like, near the summit of Black Mountain.
It will be a generally easy ramble with some steep sections and steps.
Copies of the “Field Guide to the Butterflies of the Australian Capital Territory” by Suzi Bond with Steve Holliday and John Stein will be for cash sale. Other booklets will be for sale, too.
There will be two walks on Sunday 9 March 2025, one leaving at 10:30am and the other leaving at 1:30pm.
Meet: Lookout Terrace slightly uphill from Telstra Tower on Black Mountain (see banners).
Bring: Binoculars to see the butterflies more clearly if you wish. Water. Snacks if you wish. Donation.
Wear: Sturdy walking gear, including hat and stout shoes.
Both walks are now fully booked.

Choosing Australian Plants for your Garden - Themed Walks
2025-03-10 11:00 - 2025-03-16 14:00
Wondering what to plant in your garden?
Join a free guided walk to see some plants that may be just what you are looking for.
These one-hour walks leave from the clock near the bridge to Pollen at 11am and 2pm each day.
No booking required for individuals, but groups of more than six people should contact walks@friendsanbg.org.au a week before the planned walk.
