Love the Gardens? Volunteer Here!
A week of info displays, talks, walks & workshops for
discovering why you want to join
the dynamic group of volunteers
who love the Gardens.
When:
Monday 1st - Sunday 7th March
10am - 2pm Daily
Where:
Arts & Ecology Centre
Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens
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The Friends are the community ‘backbone’ of this unique and amazing botanic garden that combines managed gardens with natural bushland, art with ecology, and plants with pleasure. We'd love you to join us in our mission to care for this beautiful place.
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Come along and meet us in the Arts and Ecology Centre. Learn about volunteering opportunities in activities like Gardening, Guiding, Information services, Promotions, Botany, BushCare and more!
The Program:
On Every Day...
Conversations, Displays & "On the Spot" Tours
10am - 2pm
Just turn up, look around, start a conversation with a Friend, and discover how to become involved in the work of the Gardens and the Friends.
On Monday...
"Propagation Basics" Workshop
10.30am - 12noon
Learn propagation skills and find out about our dedicated Gardening Team. You'll take two plants home to get you started!
Cost: $10 per person
*Bookings are essential
Never doubt
that a small group of thoughtful, dedicated citizens can
change the world: indeed, it is the only
thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead
On Saturday...
Our Main Open Day of the Week
9am - 10am
"About the Gardens" Guided Walk
A mix of history, highlights and how the Gardens grow; some of our best plants, places and Volunteer achievements.
* Free activity but bookings are essential
10am - 11am
"Behind the Scenes" talks & walks led by team leaders. Guiding, gardening, maintenance, promotions, track work, BushCare, Koala Friends, and more - an opportunity to select the one for you!
11am - 12noon
"Behind the Scenes" talks & walks
A repeat of the 10am - 11am session above.
12noon - 2pm
Conversations & Displays continue in the Exhibition Space of the Arts & Ecology Centre.
On Friday...
'An Exquisite Eye'
Botanical Book Talk by Dr Nita C Lester
10am - 11am
Investigate the flora art of Sydney Parkinson (Cook’s ‘Endeavour’ journey) and Ferdinand Bauer (Flinders’ circumnavigation) with Dr Nita C Lester. Featuring: Banks' Florilegium and Painting by Numbers.
Cost: $10 per person
*Numbers limited. Bookings essential.
On Tuesday...
"The Aussie Bush Story" Guided Walk
10am - 11am
The unique Australian bushland is celebrated in your Bushland Botanic Garden. Hear its story and find out what the Friends do to preserve it.
* Free activity but bookings are essential
On Wednesday...
"About the Gardens" Guided Walk
10am - 11am
A mix of history, highlights and how the Gardens grow; some of our best plants, places and Volunteer achievements
* Free activity but bookings are essential
On Thursday...
"Edible Native Plants" Guided Walk
9am - 10am
Add a local flavour to your cooking. On this walk, find out what's edible and hear about our plans to help the Council create an Indigenous Food Trail at the Gardens.
* Free activity but bookings are essential
"Propagation Basics" Workshop
10.30am - 12noon
Learn propagation skills and find out about our dedicated Gardening Team. You'll take two plants home to get you started.
*Numbers limited. Bookings essential.
Cost: $10 per person.
On Sunday...
"What's in a Name?" Guided Walk
10am - 11am
Take a closer look at plant labels to understand those annoying-but-necessary scientific names.
* Free activity but bookings are essential
Program List
ALL WEEK - 01 March to 07 March
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Displays of the Gardens’ history, development and volunteering opportunities.
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‘On the Spot’ free tours, information about becoming involved in the work of the Gardens and the Friends - just turn up and start a conversation with a Friend.
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All activities are held in, or start from, the Arts & Ecology Centre.
Monday 01 March
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10.30 - Noon ‘Propagation Basics’ Workshop
Tuesday 02 March
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10 -11am ‘The Aussie Bush Story’ Free Guided Walk
Wednesday 03 March
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10 -11am ‘About the Gardens’ Free Guided Walk
Thursday 04 March
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9 -10am ‘Edible Native Plants' Free Guided Walk
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10.30 - Noon ‘Propagation Basics’ Workshop
Friday 05 March
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10 -11am ’An Exquisite Eye" Botanical Book Talk with Dr Nita C Lester
Saturday 06 March FRIENDS’ MAIN OPEN DAY
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9 - 10am ‘About the Gardens’ Free Guided Walk
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10am and 11am - VOLUNTEER HERE: Free info sessions on why & how to become a volunteer with the Friends. Opportunities to look behind the scenes.
Sunday 07 March
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10 -11am ‘What’s in a Name’ Free Guided Walk​
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