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!

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.

The Australian Federation of Friends of Museums (AFFM) has just published its latest biannual Review. Includes articles on The World Federation of Friends of Museums, Gold Museum photographic collection, Tamworth Regional Gallery centenary, Brooke Museums and other news.

At the National Arboretum Canberra the new Friends sponsored garden in the Central Valley is planted with salt bushes (Rhagodia spinescens). Amalie Shawcross, operations manager at the Arboretum, says the plants were purchased from Yarralumla Nursery which propagates the majority of the saltbush it supplies as it is highly successful and is grown to Canberra conditions.

The latest issue of the Australian Association of Friends of Botanical Gardens (our peak association) is now available. For some cheery reading, click on the link below.

Council has approved these Guidelines for Friends' Activities Approval Process. Should you have a great idea for a funding project/proposal to be spear-headed by the Friends, this document will help you through the process!

The first three Zigzag Gardens in the Central Valley of the Arboretum were launched on 28 March, having been planted last December. They are a stunning example of how wonderful this Valley will look when all the Zigzag Gardens are complete.