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Eucalyptus oxymitra
Photograph by Peter Reilly
The importance
of saving the biodiversity of our planet
Botanic gardens play a significant role in the
preservation of biodiversity throughout the world. Myall Park Botanic
Garden is part of this international network.
We promote awareness and education about the
importance of flora and fauna diversity. This includes the need for
ecosystem management to conserve and restore native plant and animal
communities.
Currently we are developing an invertebrate
recovery project through the planting of species to provide shelter
and food for threatened butterfly species and other invertebrates.
Our second current focus is to determine and
encourage appropriate and sustainable use of native plants that
have been documented as sources of food and supplies for indigenous
Australians. We aim to develop research and experience-based models for
the conservation and sustainable use of such plants.
Thirdly we coordinate and promote data-sharing
between botanic gardens and other like organisations to ensure that seed
collection and species recovery programmes are linked and focussed.
Visit our Garden in person and see the wonderful work
that is currently underway.
Remember
this spring Open Day 28 August 11am-evening.
Focus:
biodiversity including (1) the importance of birds as indicators of a
healthy ecosystem and (2) children – our future.
A GARDEN THROUGH TIME
Grevillea 'Robyn
Gordon' and Blue-faced Honeyeater.
Photographer : Ann Thompson
Myall Park Botanic Garden
is more than a beautiful place where people can find respite and
inspiration. It is a refuge for biological treasures from all around
Australia, an outdoor classroom where people can acquire knowledge and
motivation to be stewards of the plant and animals in our communities.
This Garden is in an
ideal location to feature plants from semi-arid, arid and dry tropical
regions. Soil types differ throughout the Garden and range from neutral
softer grey brigalow soil, light loams over clays, to red lateritic acid
gravel ridge. A significant feature of the ridge is the deep grey/blue
water holding layer of clay which allows for the cultivation of deep
rooted large trees.
The landscape so
intrigued Garden founder Mr Dave Gordon that in 1941 he set out clearing
parts of the ridge and surrounding slopes to take advantage of the
diverse terrain. In these areas he visualised a collection of Australian
plants. Experienced collectors were sent around Australia and many
species, some no longer found in their natural environments, were
returned for propagation.
The Directors of Myall
Park Botanic Garden continue to add to the original collection and
develop additional projects such as management of the natural
environment, accommodation for visitors, links with art and science, and
an extensive educational programme for adults and children. Overall the
Garden contains over 700 Australian plant species, of these 200 are
native to the local western Darling Downs region.
Most of the work carried
out at the Garden is done by volunteers, from the Directors to the many
people who may travel hundreds of kilometres to offer days of continuous
work in the Garden proper and in the important preservation areas such
as the seed bank. Some visitors arrive for a night’s stop over and stay
additional nights to offer valuable hours of assistance. Our extensive
records of fauna species observed over time are often enhanced by these
visitors’ observations.
We invite you to enjoy
the experience of visiting the Garden. |
