In September 2019, the idea for the Friends to grow Wollemi Pine saplings for sale to raise funds for the Arboretum was first broached by Ange McNeilly to Roger Hnatiuk, who for the past ten years, has been conducting the Wollemi Seed Counting Project at the Arboretum. On the same day, Roger spoke to Scott Saddler, Senior Director of the NAC, who was very supportive of the idea. From there, the project has blossomed into the Friends' most recent exciting project!

An interesting article from The Conversation about trees. Imagine a world without trees, and then try to think about the changes that would need to happen for these trees to evolve from the small primitive plants that came before them.

To try and help keep the Arboretum near the forefront of your mind, we'll publish articles from time to time which we hope will bring good news into our lives! The first one is about OWLS!

In case you would like a virtual wander around the Arboretum, here is a map of the Arboretum with walking trails. And here is a very snazzy Interactive Forest Map which shows patterns of forest planting and lots of details about the species as well. Hours of fun!

At the National Arboretum Canberra, the health and safety of the staff, volunteers and visitors is paramount. In accordance with the public health emergency declared in the ACT for the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Village Centre, National Bonsai and Penjing Collection, Himalayan Cedars picnic area and Pod Playground are closed until further notice. All guided talks, walks, educational groups and public events have been cancelled. However, the Arboretum grounds are open from 7am – 5.30pm (April – September). Remember that all visitors must follow the ACT Health advice relating to social distancing and halting the spread of the virus.

The Curatoreum Shop is still open online. So, if you’re at home and need a distraction or need to send a gift to someone, we have a great range of books, activities and games for all ages. We have a special deal for members of the Friends of the Arboretum.

Article - Trees! What are they good for? Absolutely everything! An article by Dr Brett Summerell

Read this fascinating article written by Lauren Brown, former Community Engagement Officer at the Arboretum, about Citizen Science which recently appeared in Roots magazine. It's entitled Australian Case Study: National Arboretum partners with Citizen Science Volunteers. Our thanks to BCGI for its publication.

The latest issue of Eucalypt, newsletter of the Australian Association of Friends of Botanic Gardens (AAFBG) is now available. There's an article from the Australian National Botanic Gardens and one from the Royal Edinburgh Botanic Gardens, recently visited by our Friends' Chair, Trish Keller OAM. I'd love to run a winter program of coffee mornings and talks - what would the theme be for the talks ... Anyway, read all about it here!

'Name That Flower' - now being published in its 3rd edition - is a valued source of clear and concise information on identifying flowering plants from around the world, both cultivated and in the wild. This edition is updated to align with current systems of plant classification that incorporate advances in molecular DNA analysis. It includes more than 130 detailed line drawings, 64 colour pages and information on 46 plant families.