University of Melbourne hosts National Botanic Garden Celebrations this Sunday

Royal botanical garden Melbourne

The University of Melbourne’s System Garden in Parkville and the Burnley Campus in Richmond will be open to the public this Sunday 29 May, as part of the first Botanic Garden Australia and New Zealand Open Day celebrations.

The Botanic Gardens Open Day is a national day of recognition that showcases the achievements botanic gardens have made in the field of plant conservation, protecting plants from the threat of extinction.

More than 70 botanic gardens across Australia and New Zealand will be participating this year, marking the day with series of special activities that will encourage communities to explore their botanic garden.

System Garden Curator Tim Uebergang said the day recognises the important work botanic gardens do in tackling the biggest challenges facing our future - food security, pest and disease eradication, and adaptation to a changing climate.

“On Sunday 29 May, everyone is invited to the University of Melbourne to be part of the nation’s first Botanic Garden Australia and New Zealand Open Day," Mr Uebergang said.

"There will be a series of fun and engaging community activities throughout the day that will allow you to explore our beautiful garden and learn about some of the amazing plant conservation work we are doing here.”

Activities include guided tours exploring the plants and history of the Parkville System Garden and the Burnley Campus gardens. Highlights also include a talk on beekeeping from the resident System Garden beekeeper.

“By participating in the Open Day people will be joining others from across the nation who will be visiting their local botanic garden, connecting with their neighbours and perhaps uncovering a new passion for protecting the plants that give us life,” Mr Uebergang said.

“The importance of plants cannot be understated. They are the source of most traditional and herbal medicines and with malnutrition effecting approximately 800 million people worldwide, botanic gardens will play an important role in addressing food shortages with viable food plant options. Their loss from our environment will have a devastating impact on the planet and its people.”

The System Garden is committed to plant conservation and student education in the garden, from plants and water usage to the importance of bees and how they can serve us.

“Our aim is to demonstrate how a small educational space like the System Garden can contribute to the broad awareness of plants and their allies, and how they all play a part in the global system. Its gardens like these across the globe that we hope can make a real difference to the survival of plants worldwide.”

“Visit the System Garden this Sunday to celebrate with us and to learn how you can save the planet - one plant at time. And who knows, you may find your inner botanist.”

The Botanic Gardens Australia & New Zealand Open Day is organised by BGANZ Inc. in conjunction with the 74 participating botanic gardens nation-wide. All participating botanic gardens are listed on botanicgardensopenday.org #BGANZOpenDay