Forest 20 at the National Arboretum Canberra is unfortunately still closed to the public. However, working bees continue to be held each Thursday morning. Everyone is hoping that STEP will be open for Wattle Day that is at the beginning of next September.

Kitchen Garden: The versatile root vegetable is a favourite of Susan 'Parsnip' Parsons. Winter is the season for root vegetables - creamy potatoes, crunchy carrots and old-fashioned parsnips, which are making a come-back these days. And like these staples of the kitchen, you can boil, mash or roast them. Hope you enjoy this article, republished by kind permission of the author.

U3A is again running courses on specific trees/forests in the Arboretum. The course will cover forests planted at the Arboretum including, how the trees became 'known to science', distribution, descriptions, uses and other interesting stories. Each part covers 24 trees in the Arboretum's forests. The dates are: Part 4: Thursdays 11 August–22 September, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon at Flynn Community Hub. Part 3: Wednesdays 31 August–5 October, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon at Hughes Community Centre There is a list of the trees included in each part if you need it to make a choice. Read on for further details ...

Robust and healthy two-year-old Wollemi Pines from the Friends' Wollemi Pine Propagation Project will continue to be sold and are only available on this website. These are very special trees. Each Wollemi can be traced back to the specific tree in the Arboretum's Wollemi Pine Forest 32 from which the seed was sourced. See what you get when you buy this magnificent tree!

The Friends' AGM held on 10 May was an informative and relaxed evening. Below are links to some of the reports given on the evening. Thanks to everyone who came along to the event.

This is our newest membership promo! Looks great! You too can become a Friend and then you are eligible to buy a Parking Pass. Think how useful that would be - no more trips to the parking meter on hot/rainy days or having to leave kids in the car till you return with the ticket! For less than $2/week you can get a membership and a parking pass. That has to be Bargain of the Month! See below for links.

With all the activities promoted and created by the Friends - see our Friends Forest, Friends' plantings atop Dairy Farmers Hill, our Zigzag Garden, and most recently, our new Forest Shelter - there is so much going on! To continue the good work and enjoyment for so many, we invite you to pass on the attached Membership Promotional Card to your friends and neighbours! We need more members! What so many people find invaluable is the Parking Pass (only available by becoming a Friend) because it avoids the trip from car to parking machine and back - especially valuable in the hot sun, wintry winds and rain. For less than $2 per week, it can be yours!

Enjoy the highlights of the Arboretum from the comfort of our very own tourist bus generously sponsored by the Friends of the National Arboretum Canberra! Back by popular demand, now with two tours daily on weekends and public holidays – the Ngala Discovery Tour departs the Village Centre at 1pm and 2.30pm. Hear the stories of the forests and enjoy spectacular photo opportunities from one of Canberra’s best lookouts. Bookings essential via the link below, or ask our friendly staff in the Village Centre to assist you.

All Friends are invited to attend the Book Launch of this new book by Duncan Smith OAM, Nicole Godwin and Jandamarra Cadd, entitled We Are Australians. Join Duncan and Nicole for the launch of this picture book. With exquisite artwork from acclaimed artist, Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Warung man, Jandamarra Cadd, ‘We Are Australians’ explores what it truly means to be an Australian citizen. It is about reflecting on our rich First Nations history and walking forward together, stamping our feet to wake up the ancestors and listening deeply to stories. Join us for a book reading, an Indigenous performance by Duncan and other celebrations to mark the launch of this special book. The Facebook event is live - see below for further details. DATE: SATURDAY 9 APRIL 2022 TIME: 9.30AM VENUE: VILLAGE CENTRE, NATIONAL ARBORETUM CANBERRA

It really wasn't the weather to be out at all, but a few hardy souls, including the Executive Branch Manager of the NAC, Scott Saddler AM, and Minister Chris Steel, joined the Friends to formally launch our latest sponsorship item - the Forest Gazebo. At the launch, Scott praised the Friends for their efforts and his speech appears below. Thank you, Scott!