Botanic Gardens Open Day - Free Walking Tours

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Sun 28 May 2017

To celebrate Botanic Gardens Australia and New Zealand (BGANZ) Open Day on Sunday 28 May 2017, both Melbourne and Cranbourne Gardens will be holding a variety of free walking tours and workshops for the public.

Acting Director and Chief Executive Mr Chris Cole said the Gardens is thrilled to be involved as one of over seventy botanic gardens across Australia and New Zealand participating in another BGANZ Open Day. "This year's theme, 'Botanic Gardens Conserving Plants – Our Lives Depend On It' could not be of greater significance or relevance to the important conservation role that botanic gardens play in conserving the environment and plant life and raising awareness in the community".



Two free walking tours are available at the Melbourne Gardens. Guided by the Manager of Horticulture, Michael McNabb, 'Managing the Landscape' provides unique insights into the challenges of caring for the historical landscape, including a rare tour of the Gardens' nursery.



As leaders in water conservation, Landscape Architect, Andrew Laidlaw, is guiding the 'Precious Water' tour, which encompasses comprehensive insights into the Working Wetlands project, also at Melbourne Gardens.



Cranbourne Gardens are offering four free tours and interactive workshops. Co-authors of the thirty year compilation, the Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants, Rodger Elliot and Trevor Blake, will personally guide visitors on their 'Walk and Talk', through native foliage, discussing their favourites among the abundance within the Gardens.



Learn 'hands on' about threatened Australian plants by assisting the nursery team with potting and planting in the Cranbourne Gardens. The 'Care for the Rare' workshop is ideal for gardening enthusiasts who are passionate about saving these species. Plenty of hints and tips will be available to those involved.



For orchid lovers, our devoted Orchid Conservation Botanist, Noushka Reiter, is leading the 'Back from the Brink of Extinction' tour which provides insights into the study of these rare terrestrial species, to ensure their reintroduction and conservation in south-east Victoria.



Bring the family and warm beanies to join our Ecologist, Dr Terry Coates in the 'After Dark Experience' at Cranbourne Gardens. He'll be showing you the secret hiding spots of our native birds, bats and mammals that emerge from their homes at night. Learn how Terry helps protect the endangered Southern Brown Bandicoot from predators and how he can secretly see who sneaks in and out of the Cranbourne Gardens at night.

Visit the website for further details of these tours.

The Melbourne Gardens are located on Birdwood Avenue, approximately two kilometres from Melbourne's city centre. Street metered car parking for up to four hours is available. Please note that parking conditions vary according to nearby events. The City of Melbourne enforces parking restrictions in the area. For detailed public transport information, visit Public Transport Victoria .

The Cranbourne Gardens are located on the Cnr Ballarto Road and Botanic Drive, Cranbourne, (off South Gippsland Highway) a 50 minute drive from Melbourne. The turnoff for the gardens is signed and located 500m past the Cranbourne Racecourse. Plenty of free parking available.

Although all tours are free, please register if you wish to attend as places are filling quickly. Phone 03 5990 2200 or email [email protected] to secure your place

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!date 28/05/2017 -- 28/05/2017
%wnmelbourne