Australian National Herbarium (Program HC)
Communications and Outreach (Program HD)

Botanical Resource Centre (BRC)

The Botanical Resource Centre is jointly managed by the ANBG, the Friends of the ANBG and the Herbarium and is open daily. It is located next to the Friends' Lounge on the Main Path in the ANBG. It houses the Public Reference Herbarium specimens which represent the native and naturalised plants of the A.C.T., the Southern Tablelands, Australian Alps and the South Coast. This self-help collection is available for use by students, plant surveyors and people who just want to know more about plants. The plants are mounted in plastic sleeves in loose-leafed books to make them more robust for public use.

This facility also has a microscope, access to an extensive library of botanical books and two computers with interactive identification tools to some major plant groups:

• Families of Flowering Plants - key to the families
• Euclid - key to the eucalypts of Australia
• Wattle - key to the genus Acacia
• Australian Orchid Genera - key to the genera of Australian orchids
• Australian Tropical Rain Forest Trees and Shrubs - tropical rainforest plants

Trained 'Facilitators' are available to introduce the public to the facilities of the BRC, users should avail themselves of the experience of the facilitators before using the BRC for the first time.

Appointment for use: ANBG Visitor Centre (02) 6259 9540

2008 Report

The initiation and establishment of the Botanical Resource Centre took place during 2007 with discussions between the ANBG, the Herbarium and the Friends of the ANBG. The Friends agreed to fund room alterations and fit-out. The room was ready just before Christmas 2007, and the Public Reference Herbarium specimens were moved in by Botanical Interns during February 2008. A series of training sessions were held for 'BRC Facilitators' during Feb-March 2008. Refresher sessions are provided once a month on various aspects of plant identification.

The computer company Commander-Volante sponsored two stand-alone computers on which to load the various interactive keys.

The BRC was opened on 15 May 2008 by Mrs Marlina Jeffery at a ceremony hosted by the Friends of the ANBG.

Scientific and Technical Staff

PROJECT LEADERS

Brendan Lepschi #
Steve Speer (ANBG)

STAFF, HONORARY ASSOCIATES & STUDENTS

Collins, Bronwyn #
Fagg, Murray #
Jordan, Catherine # (ANBG Librarian)
Mallinson, David #
Purdie, Rosemary (HRF)^