THE BOTANIC GARDEN ISS 36 – JULY 2013
Perhaps seen as old hat when we started, our role was described as to impress when our trees matured decades from now. In a short time we find ourselves struggling with how we make a collection of long lived living things when the climate factors are in a state of flux.
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BGANZ / BGCI Congress 20-25th October Dunedin, New Zealand
We have no idea if our one, two or three decade old plants will withstand a world even 2 degrees Celsius warmer. At the same time we are limited with the plants from warmer climates we can use, let alone whether this will have any relevance in terms of conservation of habitat complexes.
Image. bganz6.jpg 5th Global Botanic Gardens Congress / 6th Biennial Botanic Gardens Australia & New Zealand Congress
Trying to get that message across and retain support in a community that is in the least confused about how the earth works as a system and is constrained by its belief systems is to say the least challenging. Can you tell us about someone you admire in sector and why? Our Founders The Late ‘Professor’ David Richmond with his shock of white hair loved nature whether it was in the sea of the mountains and Dr Stephen King who worked to build the poppy industry in Tasmania before joining with David to give something that they say could last for a very long time. From a young man David dreamed of a botanical garden in Devonport and as he retired he worked with Stephen to make a jointly held dream happen. I admire their persistence in working to achieve a goal, overcoming local obstacles that now seem like the acts of fools. Do you have a favourite plant or special area at The Tasmanian Arboretum? I have many favourite plants in our collection. Perhaps 3 examples will give some clues about what make a plant outstanding for me. Nothofagus glauca has exfoliating bark, a blue tinged sand paper textured leaf and it is deciduous, lots of character. Agathis ovata because it reminds me of the time we were lost in the scrubby uplands of New Caledonia. Quercus rubra because when I see them growing here I can picture them as mature. For a special place sitting in the Alpine Arbour looking out over the collections to our Founders’ Lake refreshes me about our purpose.
Member Grant applications – now open BGANZ is once again offering grants to facilitate attendance by botanic gardens’ staff, particularly from regional or distant gardens, at the forthcoming Congress to be held in Dunedin, 20 – 25 October this year. Go to website for more details and application form VALUE The following levels of grants will be made available (In Australian Dollars): NZ $300 ACT, Vic, NSW, QLD $400 TAS $600 WA, NT $700 ELIGIBILITY AND CONDITIONS All staff of botanic gardens are eligible to apply. However, in order for the 2013 Congress to be inclusive of public gardens across Australia and New Zealand, preference will be given to grants to support gardens that are members of BGANZ and have limited financial resources for attendance at the Congress. BGANZ is able to make grants totalling a maximum amount of A$7,000.