National Arboretum Canberra

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Australia - Australian Capital Territory - Canberra

Institution Code: ACTCAN

BGCI Member: No

About the National Arboretum Canberra

The National Arboretum Canberra was initiated following major bush fires in 2001 and 2003. It focuses on conservation, research, education and public amenity, and is aligned with the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation.

The Arboretum was designed by landscape architects Taylor, Cullity Lethlean and architects Tonkin, Zulaikha Greer under the name of ‘100 Forests, 100 Gardens’. Most forests are single species, selected as rare, endangered or iconic. About one third are Australian native species and the remainder come from over 100 countries in the world. There are 33 threatened species of trees growing at the Arboretum.

Water conservation, harvesting and re-use are prominent architectural and horticultural features.

The site is 250 hectares (617 acres) and located 6 kilometres from Canberra city centre.

Main Address:
National Arboretum Canberra
GPO Box 158
Canberra
Australian Capital Territory 2601 Australia

Telephone: 02 6205 4056
Fax: 02 6207 0123
URL: www.nationalarboretum.act.gov.au
Primary Email: contact@arboretumcanberra.org.au

Staff Details

  • Director's Name: Scott Saddler, Senior Director
    Curator's Name: Amalie Shawcross, Operations Manager
    Plant Records Officer's Name:

About the Garden

  • Institution Type: Botanic Garden
  • Status
  • Status: Private: No
    Status: State: Yes
    Status: Educational: Yes
    Status: Satellite: Yes
    Status: Trust: Yes
  • Date founded: 2005
  • Physical Data
  • Natural Vegetation Area: Yes
  • Landscaped Area: Yes
    Landscaped Area: Size: 250 Hectares
  • Total Area: 250 Hectares
    Latitude: -35.287797
    Longitude: 149.069324
    Annual Rainfall: 525 mm
    Altitude: 630.00 Metres
  • Locality: Information
  • Locality: Garden Name: National Arboretum
  • Local Address: National Arboretum Canberra, Forest Drive, off Tuggeranong Parkway, Weston Creek, Canberra ACT 2601
  • Locality: City: Canberra
  • Locality: State: Australian Capital Territory

Features and Facilities

  • Herbarium: Yes
    Arboretum: Yes
  • Micropropagation/ Tissue Culture Facilities: No
    Seed Bank: Yes
    Published Plant Catalogue: No
    Computer Plant Record System: Yes
  • Open to public: Yes
    Friends society: Yes
    Retail Outlet: Shop: Yes
    Retail Outlet: Plant Sales: No
    Disabled access: Yes
  • Number of Visitors: 1000000
    Number of Volunteers: 200

Plant Collections

  • Accession Number: 48000
    Cultivation Taxa Num: 755
  • Special Collections:The plant collections are primarily of tree species. There are two main collections: the 'Forests' planted in 104 blocks, and the bonsai and penjing trees in the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia.
    Understorey species (shrubs and herbs) are being cultivated in one 'Forest (20)'. In due course these will be fully documented. In addition, the ground layer in the 'Forests', plus the vegetation on rock outcrops (over 100 on site) are a mixture of native and exotic species. These are progressively being brought under management with weed removal and planting of local native species.
  • Invasive Species Monitoring: Yes
    Invasive Species Policy: Yes
    ABS Policy: Yes
    Plant Collection Policy: Yes

Conservation Programmes

  • Conservation Programme: Yes
    Ex Situ Conservation Programme: Yes

Research Programmes

  • Conservation - Biology: Yes
    Ecology: Yes
    Floristics: Yes
    Horticulture: Yes
    Invasive Species Biology and Control: Yes
    Restoration Ecology: Yes

Education Programmes

  • Visitor/Education Centre: Yes
    Education Signs in Garden: Yes
    Public Lectures/Talks: Yes
    Education Booklets/Leaflets: Yes
    Guided Tours: Yes
    Permanent Public Displays: Yes
    Special Exhibitions: Yes
    Courses for School Children: Yes
    Courses for University/College Students: Yes
    Courses for General Public: Yes
    Education Programme: Yes