Financial support for the Gardens

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The main aim of the Friends is to support the Gardens, and financial support is a very important part of how we do that. Since the Friends was formed in 1990 we have contributed around $2 million for projects from our fund-raising activities and from donations.

See a complete list of all the projects we have supported since the Friends was established in 1990, along with the amount we provided for each. More projects are now in the pipeline.

In consultation with Gardens’ management, we have a process to identify and assess potential projects that we will fund. That generally involves a call for Gardens’ staff to put forward projects for funding by the Friends. Proposals must be consistent with the ANBG Management Plan and supported by the Executive Director. A subcommittee of members of the Friends assesses proposed projects and makes recommendations to Council for final decision.

In financially supporting the Gardens, we try to spread our support across as wide a range as possible of the Gardens’ roles and functions: horticulture, scientific research, aesthetic and visitor experience. Some of the more significant projects we have funded include:

Horticulture

  • Ferns and palms for the rainforest gully
  • Re-location of a mature bottle tree to the Gardens’ front entrance
  • Macrozamias for the main concourse
  • Redevelopment of the Asteraceae Garden
  • Staff field trip to source threatened and endangered plants for the Rainforest Gully.

Scientific and research

  • Research into threatened plant species on Norfolk Island
  • Thermal tolerance of Australian native plants (including arid and alpine plants)
  • Threatened species project
  • Alpine plants research project, in conjunction with the Gardens and the ANU
  • Equipment for the Seed Bank.

Aesthetic

  • ‘Friends Cascade’ alongside the Visitor Centre
  • Rainforest Gully fogging system
  • Rainforest Gully and Red Centre lighting
  • Red Centre Garden artwork – our Centenary of Canberra gift to the Gardens.

Visitor experience

  • East Core Precinct redevelopment including pathways and signage
  • Video wall and film in foyer of Administration Building
  • Contribution to development of the Banksia Garden
  • 'Find a Plant' app to help locate thousands of plants within the Gardens
  • Construction of the Paperbark Treehouse and associated landscaping
  • Flora Explorer electrically powered people-mover
  • Crosbie Morrison Amphitheatre shelter
  • Birds of the ANBG booklet
  • Aboriginal Plant Use trail
  • Upgrading of Theatrette audio-visual system
  • Stereo display microscope in the Visitors Centre.

 
See a list of projects financed from donations.

Rainforest Gully lighting, a Friends' project in 2012. (Photo courtesy of Lushpup Images)

Flora Explorer, a Friends' project in 2012 (Photo: Alan Munns)
Flora Explorer, a Friends' project in 2012 (Photo: Alan Munns)
Teresa Pwerle with her artwork Grandmother's Country (Photo: Peter Byron)
Teresa Pwerle with her artwork Grandmother's Country (Photo: Peter Byron)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grandmother's Country, by Teresa Purla McKeeman (Teresa Pwerle), is at the centre of the Red Centre Garden. The striking laser-cut steel and grout work, 5.6 m square, was commissioned by the Friends.