A major report entitled Australian alpine plant research, conservation and management was released on 21 October 2014 at the AGM of the Friends. This report is an important outcome of a joint Australian Research Council research program covering 4 years between the ANBG, ANU, the Friends and the University of Queensland. The project greatly increased the knowledge of alpine plants, which are under increasing pressure from climate change and environmental degradation in the alps. It has also led to the ANBG seed bank becoming the major centre for collection and study of alpine seeds.
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Annual Schools Photographic Competition, 2014
There was an excited buzz around the Gardens’ Theatrette on Saturday 18 October as award winners in the 18th annual Friends’ schools photographic competition gathered to receive their prizes.
The competition is run for students from ACT and Queanbeyan Region high schools and colleges. All photos must be taken in the Australian National Botanic Gardens and feature some aspect of the Gardens, and in categories involving black and white, colour and images altered digitally or in dark room processing.
Monday, 20 October 2014
Changes to Flora Explorer Tours
A recent review of the popular Flora Explorer tours showed demand for extra tours on weekends, public holidays and school holidays.
In response, morning tours have now been introduced at 10.30 am on weekends and public holidays. The afternoon tour time has changed to 1.30 pm.
There will also be a morning tour (at 10.30 am) on week days in school holidays.
The Friends recently purchased a microphone and audio system to allow the Flora guide to provide a guided commentary to passengers, whilst the bus is in motion.
The length of the tour has been changed to 45 minutes.
Tuesday, 09 September 2014
Elizabeth Minchin talk on the townhouse gardens of Pompeii - handout available
At the Thursday Talk on August 21 by Professor Elizabeth Minchin of ANU on ‘Exploring Ancient Gardens of the Roman World’, demand for a handout she brought along greatly exceeded supply. Elizabeth has kindly provided a copy to be available here for download (PDF, 318 KB).
Friday, 22 August 2014
A Gift for the Gardens from the Friends
Very appropriately, the 19 June Thursday Talk on the Gardens public art management plan began with the handover of two paintings from the Friends to the Gardens. Mr David Coutts, President of the Friends, formally handed the two artworks to Dr Judy West, Executive Director of the Gardens. Click on the heading above for more information.
Monday, 30 June 2014
Symposium 12 June 2014: Plant Conservation & Management for the Australian Alps
The Australian National University, Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) and the ANBG Friends sponsored a half-day symposium on 12 June 2014 on alpine plant research and management, building on their existing ARC linkages research program into alpine seed ecology. The symposium covered the role of botanical gardens in alpine plant conservation, recent and current research into alpine plant ecology, and directions for future research.
Wednesday, 04 June 2014
Welcoming our new Patron, Her Excellency Lady Cosgrove
We are honoured that Her Excellency Lady Cosgrove has accepted the role of Patron of the Friends.
Her official biography lists her personal interests as including art and architecture, nature and gardens, and she is a keen sports follower. Lady Cosgrove has been actively involved in the welfare of partners in the defence community and became the inaugural Patron of Partners of Veterans Australia. She has worked with numerous voluntary organisations supporting aged and disabled people, and endangered Australian wildlife.
Thursday, 22 May 2014
Art workshops at the Gardens, 9-11 May
The Gardens will be hosting several art workshops next Friday, Saturday and Sunday (9 – 11 May).
Julie McEnerny will be conducting Botanical Art Workshops on Friday and Saturday, in conjunction with her exhibition Offshoots at the Visitor Information Centre. Bookings are essential at www.anbg.gov.au/gardens.
Craft ACT artists-in-residence Annee Miron and Sally Blake will conduct workshops on Saturday and Sunday in the Crosbie Morrison Building. Bookings are essential and close Wednesday 7 May; contact julie.akmacic@environment.gov.au or phone (02) 6250 9405.
Saturday, 03 May 2014
RHS Medal winner Nilavan Adams
ANBG Botanic Art Group member Nilavan Adams has done it again!
Nilavan has been awarded the Silver Gilt medal at the Royal Horticultural Society 2014 Botanical Art Show in London.
This exhibition showcases work from some of the world’s best botanical artists. The official guidelines note that:
Sunday, 13 April 2014
Red Centre Garden
The Red Centre Garden, which opened in October 2013 after four years of careful planning and an immense amount of work by the Gardens staff, has become a major attraction for visitors to the ANBG and to Canberra in general. A warm and dry summer resulted in wonderful displays of colour, the blues and purples of the massed Swan River Daisies, Sturt’s Nightshade and Sturt’s Desert Rose together with the brilliant greens and silvery greys of the young acacias, Silky Heads and ‘tobacco’ plants contrast beautifully with the red sand and dramatic rocks in the Rocky Outcrop and Rocky Escarpment. Many visitors are taking advantage of the Flora Explorer tours to enjoy the spectacle of the Red Centre Garden in comfort. Click on the heading for more information.
Thursday, 27 March 2014
