Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens

Growing Friends Autumn 2026 Native Plant Sale
2026-03-14 09:00 - 11:30 (Australia/Sydney) | 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

Way out West (Flora of WA) Themed Walks
2026-05-04 11:00 - 2026-05-10 14:00 | Clock near the bridge, ANBG, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia
The South-West of Western Australia is a Biodiversity Hotspot, one of two in Australia, with only 35 recognised globally.
These free one-hour guided walks will look at the riches of WA flora, with their amazing adaptations to the environment. We will also learn about the efforts taken to get them to grow at the ANBG in very different conditions to their native habitat.
Walks commence at 11am and 2pm each day.
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.

Kristy Gould ‘Conserving Canberra: Healing country through restoration’ [NEW VENUE: Crosbie Morrison Bldg]
2026-05-07 12:30 - 13:30 | Crosbie Morrison Building, ANBG, Clunies Ross Street, Acton, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia
Kristy, from the ACT Office of Nature Conservation, describes a project to improve restoration through development of spatial planning tools, on-ground work at three key sites, and engaging the Ngunnawal community in Healing Country.
NEW VENUE: Crosbie Morrison Bldg
Abstract
The Office of Nature Conservation (ONC) led a project as part of the Conserving Canberra Budget Initiative (2023 2025) to improve restoration through development of spatial planning tools, deliver on-ground work at three key sites and provide opportunities for the Ngunnawal community to be engaged in Healing Country. The project partnered with four Ngunnawal Cultural Advisors to help embed cultural practices into land management, engaged specialised bush regenerators for on-ground work and a spatial ecologist to develop online tools. Volunteer groups contributed many hours to the project and ONC worked closely with Parks and Conservation Service and the Natural Resource Management Team as delivery partners. This work is continuing for another 12 months ongoing though various other initiatives.
Biography
Kristy completed her BSc (Environmental Science) at Charles Sturt University in 2004 and has had over 23 years of experience in land management working with ACT Parks and Conservation Service (PCS). Kristy has worked in most areas of PCS as a ranger and an area manager implementing programs including invasive pest and plant, visitor, asset maintenance and fire management. During this time Kristy has led several restoration projects including the Grassland Improvement Project (2006- 2008) and the ACT Woodland Restoration Project (2012-2017). Kristy is now working in the Office of Nature Conservation team as a Restoration Program Manager.
Booking Link – https://www.trybooking.com/DHLQN
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.
This Talk will be held in the Crosbie Morrison Building due to work at 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.

Kim Pullen ‘More treasures–insects in fens and bogs’ [NEW VENUE: Crosbie Morrison Bldg]
2026-05-14 12:30 - 13:30 | Crosbie Morrison Building, ANBG, Clunies Ross Street, Acton, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia
Kim will discuss bogs and fens as an insect habitat, the variety of ecological niches that insects occupy and some threats to the fauna. She will give some local examples of the fauna of this habitat.
NEW VENUE: Crosbie Morrison Bldg
Biography
Kim grew up in Canberra and inherited an interest in nature, and particularly insects, from his father who was a professional botanist (and a boyhood butterfly and beetle collector). On leaving school he worked first at the ANU, and later at CSIRO, assisting with research in grasshopper genetics, pheromone-based control of insect pests, and insect-based biological control of imported weeds. Kim then spent six years in Mexico collecting and evaluating weed biocontrol agents for exportation to Australia – as well as teaching English – before returning to Canberra with a family. He eventually came back to CSIRO to assist with faunal studies in South Australian mallee and subsequently on Murray River floodplains, and prepare a taxonomic inventory of Australian weevils, among other projects.
After retirement, he took up a CSIRO Honorary Fellowship, allowing access to the Australian National Insect Collection. This helped Kim carry out a long-running ambition to compile a catalogue of the insects of the ACT. He now enjoys identifying insects for the general public on citizen science platforms and on social media (when their grandchildren allow it).
Booking Link – https://www.trybooking.com/DHLQK
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.
This Talk shall be held in the Crosbie Morrison Building due to work 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.

Growing Friends – Plant Propagation Sessions
2026-05-19 09:30 - 11:30 | Potting space, outside the Banksia Centre, ANBG, ANBG Clunies Ross St, Acton, ACT, 2601, Australia
Growing Friends will be holding hands-on propagation sessions, and a guided walk through our “Igloo” to view our growing plants. Come along and learn how to propagate and pot on your own plants at home. Book early as numbers are limited.
Date: Tuesday 19 May 2026
Time: 9.30 am – 11.30 am (two one hour sessions: 9.30 – 10.30 or 10.30 to 11.30)
Location: Potting space, outside the Banksia Building (follow the signs)
We will supply all materials (free event).
Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/DLYMG
(enquiries to: events@friendsanbg.org.au)

Botanic Art Group – Have a Go at Botanical Art
2026-05-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Celia Rosser Room, Banksia Centre, Australian National Botanical Gardens, Canberra, Australia
The Botanic Art Group is delighted to invite people to come and HAVE A GO AT BOTANICAL ART. We will be painting a leaf, an easy subject with which everyone is familiar. A number of our members have volunteered to act as mentors. Materials such as watercolours and coloured pencils will be available to try, but if you have watercolours, coloured pencils or a small brush please bring them along.
Date: Wednesday 20 May 2026
Time: 10 am to 12 pm
Location: Celia Rosser Room, in the Banksia Centre, ANBG
Bookings: If you are coming along please RSVP to kateramsey23@gmail.com

Masterclass - Creating a Wildlife Haven: The Must-Know Essentials
2026-05-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Online Zoom session, Australia
Want more birds, bees and butterflies in your garden? Join Claire Bickle to learn easy, practical ways to support local wildlife. Discover how to choose the right plants, create shelter and water, and make your garden a safe haven—starting this winter. Perfect for beginners or anyone wanting to make a real difference.
Book your online Zoom session here: https://weteachme.com/classes/1047138
Are you eager to boost local biodiversity but feeling overwhelmed by all the sheer volume of information and advice? Perhaps you want to attract butterflies, bees, birds or dragonflies to your garden? Did you know that winter is an important time to support wildlife and support the natural ecological balance of your garden ready for spring. So lets help you get started this winter…
Join this one-hour Master Class with Claire Bickle and walk away with the essentials—and the networks—that will help you make a real impact.
In this session, Claire will guide you through the importance of:

Understanding your climate
Getting to know your soil and garden aspects and how to make use of verges or nearby public spaces
Simple design basics and practical ideas to get you started
Identifying your “target audience”—the insects, marsupials, birds, reptiles, frogs, bats and more that may call your garden home
Choosing the right plants and layering them from ground covers to grasses to trees
Different water sources and why they matter for different species
Creating shelters, especially for insects like bees and dragonflies
Why even small actions can create wildlife stepping stones and nature corridors in urban areas
Building community connections: where to next—catchment groups, wildlife societies, native plant clubs, and more
Ways to stay informed and keep learning through reading and connecting with others

If you want to support nature in your neighbourhood and feel confident doing it, this class is the perfect place to start.
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.

Andrea Wild ‘Awe and wonder in CSIRO’s collections’
2026-05-21 12:30 - 13:30 | ANBG Theatrette, Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
Andrea, from CSIRO, will share stories from the new science book Wild Collections. Learn about sharks living in sponges, orchids flowering underground, Spotted Handfish guarding their eggs, quirky tales of worm bums, Darkling beetles undertaking a decathlon, and much more.
Abstract
There are 15 million specimens in the National Research Collections Australia, from caddisflies to daisies, to a single albatross.
They’re not part of a museum, so what do we use them for?
We wonder, we discover and we take action. We’re using the 50 000 native bee specimens in our collections to discover what native bee species exist and where they live. This will help people take action to preserve the pollination benefits they provide to native plants and make use of their pollination services for agricultural plants.
Andrea will share some of the stories from the new popular science book Wild Collections. Learn about sharks living in sponges, orchids flowering underground, Spotted Handfish guarding their eggs, weevils rolling dung just like scarabs do, Giant Kelp towering in Tasmania’s seas, quirky tales of worm bums, Darkling beetles undertaking a decathlon, the curlicues of shark’s eggs and much more.
Biography
Andrea Wild is an author and science communicator who works with the biodiversity collections at CSIRO. She has written three books: The Very Stinky Fly Hunt, Wild Collections and AmAZed, CSIRO’s A to Z of Biodiversity.
Booking Link – https://www.trybooking.com/DKZFY
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 agaric fungi (mushrooms and toadstools)'
2026-05-21 13:30 - 16:00 | Solander Studio, Banksia Centre, ANBG, ANBG Clunies Ross St, Acton, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia
The next Plant Recognition Group workshop will focus on agaric fungi (mushrooms and toadstools). Heino Lepp from the mycology collection of the Australian National Herbarium will talk about the macroscopic features that help identify agarics and will have fresh specimens on hand. A compound microscope is necessary for the identification of many species but, even for an expert, the first step in identification is a look at the macroscopic features. The aim of the session is to help you learn how to look at agarics in that first step. Binocular microscopes and other aids for identification will be available for the workshop.
When: 1.30 – 4.00 pm on Thursday 21 May 2026.
Where: Solander Room, Banksia Centre, ANBG
Booking 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.

Bushland Nature Walk – Catch a View!
2026-05-23 09:30 - 11:30 | Visitor Centre, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra, Australia
A special guided walk to explore the Gardens’ Bushland Precinct, across the Black Mountain road from the main part of the Gardens. The Bushland Nature Walk meanders through open forest and features expansive views to Canberra City and Parliament House. Some of the plants are labelled and you will find interpretive signs about the biodiversity, fire ecology and soil of the area. The walk culminates at a viewing platform offering spectacular views across Lake Burley Griffin. Return is via the same path.
The walk is easy to medium on uneven ground, with a few stairs and short steep sections. There are some places to rest along the way. Distance: 3.2 km
Wear a shady hat, sunscreen, and sturdy walking shoes and bring your bottle of water.
Date: Saturday 23 May
Time: 9.30 am to 11.30 am
Location: Meet at the Gardens Visitor Centre at 9.25 am
Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/DLKGL
Enquiries: email events@friendsanbg.org.au or contact Linda on 0437 298 711.
Cost: $10 (towards projects in the Gardens)

Photographic Group – Camera and Café Walk
2026-05-24 08:40 - 10:30 | ANBG Bus Stop, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra, Australia
The Photographic Group invites you to join us on a CAMERA AND CAFÉ WALK in the Gardens. Bring along your camera (the camera in your phone is fine!) for a guided walk led by experienced photographers, followed by morning tea and a chat at Pollen Café.
This is part of the Friends celebration of Botanic Gardens Week which runs from 18 – 24 May 2026.
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 and/or phone individually. We reconvene for a chat at Pollen Cafe at around 10.30 am.
Several members of the Friends of ANBG Photographic Group Committee will be there to get things started, orchestrate introductions and provide advice to anyone who needs it.
Date: Sunday 24 May 2026
Time: Meet at 8.40 am
Location: Meet at the bus stop shelter at the top of the car park.
Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/DLYVV
(enquiries to: events@friendsanbg.org.au)

Dr Roger Farrow ‘Back from the brink or a resilient survivor: The case of Key’s Matchstick Grasshopper, Keyacris scurra’
2026-05-28 12:30 - 13:30 | ANBG Theatrette, Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
Roger, formerly of CSIRO, will tell a tale of mystery and suspense involving two geneticists, some cemeteries, a taxonomist, a survey, sheep, habitat loss, citizen scientists and a sceptic.
Biography
Dr Roger Farrow is an “unretired” entomologist following a career in CSIRO Entomology. Since retirement 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 is currently studying insect pollination. This links to his other interest, namely native plants and their ecology. This has developed through his membership of the Australian Native Plant Society and the opportunity to participate in field trips to identify plants in a range of different habitats.
Booking Link – https://www.trybooking.com/DKZFZ
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.
