Friends of The Gardens
Friends of The Botanic Gardens Inc.
Friends of The Gardens is a not-for-profit organisation to encourage the use and enjoyment of the Royal Botanic Gardens and The Domain Sydney, and the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah and Mount Annan Botanic Gardens. The Friends work to involve the community in the scientific, educational, historical, cultural and recreational functions of the Gardens and the National Herbarium of NSW.
The Friends serves as a link between the Botanic Gardens Trust and the community and promotes, supports and contributes to the development of the Gardens and the work of the BGT.
Projects
Since its establishment in 1982, the Friends have been making possible a range of projects across the various sites of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust. Over the years, these projects have been both diverse and broad in their appeal and include a critical tree management program at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah and the pedestrian bridge to the conservation area over Bell's Line of Road; ongoing efforts to control the insidious African Olive in endangered woodland conservation areas in the Mount Annan Botanic Garden; provision of a state-of-the-art website; scientific and interpretive signage at the three Gardens and the installation of a children's playground at Mount Annan.
In the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, the Rose Garden and Herb Garden have received funding whilst the Friends' ongoing commitment to save the priceless Heritage Trees includes funding for a crucial wildlife management program.
Annually Scholarships are provided to further the work and education of the BGT's staff, an essential science internship program has been supported and important funding supplied for the Seedbank project.
Members' Benefits
Friends' members enjoy a range of benefits including the opportunity to volunteer as well as take part in some of the many activities each year within the Gardens. Friends' members are entitled to a range of discounts in the shops, restaurants and on the Friends' range of activities and events. They are also kept closer to the work of the BGT through the seasonal magazine 'The Gardens'.
Members can play an even greater role in supporting the vital work of the Botanic Gardens Trust by becoming a Waratah member and giving an annual donation in addition to membership dues. Members who volunteer for the Friends do so in many and varied roles such as, assisting with administration, activities and events, exhibitions, propagating and selling plants and catering.
Donation, Volunteer and Membership Enquiries
For information on Friends of The Gardens telephone (02) 9231 8182, visit www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/friends or email
