The Australian National Botanic Gardens is a scientific and educational institution and a living collection. A new management plan and master plan are being developed for the ANBG and we have been seeking community input over the last few months. We would like the new plans for our national botanic gardens to reflect the changing needs of Australian society and the new challenges we face.
We have taken a range of approaches to our consultation.
From December through to February 2009, Australians were asked to send written submission on their views about the way the Australian National Botanic Gardens should be managed over the next 10 years. We particularly requested comments on issues such as priorities for the ANBG in terms of climate change, expectations of the living collection, enhancing the ANBG visitor experience, environmental sustainable management and the important priorities for botanical and horticultural science at the ANBG.
During April, we facilitated focus group discussions with interested people from Canberra on several topics:
- Communication with our Canberra community
- The visitor experience/expectations of a national botanic garden
- Attracting the 18-30 year olds to the ANBG
- The living collection
- Education and learning
- Scientific and conservation role
- Economic sustainability
In addition during April and May, we undertook a national consultation with Australia’s state capital botanic gardens and associated communities. The purpose of this consultation was:
- To investigate the positioning of the Australian National Botanic Gardens in relation to Australia’s other botanic gardens in the key operations of education, research, conservation, partnerships and leadership.
- To identify niches for the ANBG that help to ensure its continued relevance to Australia Society and Government.
- To investigate governance and financial management in Australia’s capital city botanic gardens to increase staff knowledge so as to inform decisions about the most appropriate management and financial model for the ANBG to help ensure the stability of this national institution.
- To examine opportunities for providing national leadership for strengthening the work of Australia’s botanic gardens in biodiversity conservation.
- Identify opportunities for partnerships and collaborations to benefit biodiversity conservation and its sustainable management in Australia.
In late May and June, we will be analysing our findings from the extensive consultation process and using these to help us plan for the ANBG’s future.
Receive a Newsletter
A Management Planning Newsletter provides people with regular updates on the process we have embarked on to prepare a new management plan and master plan for the Australian National Botanic Gardens. You can either download issues of the newsletter from this website or you can subscribe to the newsletter by sending us an email with you name/s (email: anbgplan@anbg.gov.au). Information about your city/town of residence would be helpful.
May 2009 Newsletter
March-April 2009 Newsletter
February 2009 Newsletter
January 2009 Newsletter