This Saturday, the Sydney Science Trail Community Day will transform the Australian PlantBank and Herbarium at Mount Annan into a hands-on science hub for all ages, giving visitors rare behind-the-scenes access to the crucial work helping protect Australia’s unique plant life.
Botanic Gardens of Sydney chief executive Simon Duffy says this year’s National Science Week theme, Seeds of Science, represents the Gardens’ core purpose to inspire enjoyment, learning and conservation of nature.
“Science starts with curiosity, and there are few better places to inspire that curiosity than in our gardens,” Duffy said.
“Sydney Science Trail gives people of all ages the opportunity to connect with the wonder of plants, explore the science that underpins conservation, and discover how research is helping protect our unique environment for future generations.”
Hosted by Botanic Gardens of Sydney, the free event will transform Mount Annan into a hub of discovery, inviting families to step behind the scenes of world-leading plant science facilities, meet researchers and horticulturalists, explore endangered ecosystems, contribute to citizen science, discover carnivorous plants and take part in a range of fun activities celebrating nature, conservation and scientific discovery.
Activities on offer will include:
- Journey through the behind-the-scenes of the Nursery. Learn more about how our plants are looked after and hear about plant conservation
- Learn about the specialist design features and how the collection is used by researchers all around the world.
- Discover the inner workings of the Australian PlantBank.
- See what is involved in collecting and preserving plant specimens, and learn about why they are collected. Also, don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn more about invasive plants and have a hands-on experience doing a gooey “alien autopsy” (preparation of a cactus to make a herbarium specimen!).
- Awaken your senses and learn to connect with your surroundings in the beautiful Botanic Garden at Mt Annan.
- Bush walk through the Cumberland Plain Woodland – a critically endangered ecosystem of which less than 10 percent remains.
SNAPSHOT: Sydney Science Trail Community Day
Australian PlantBank and Herbarium Forecourt, Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan
Saturday 22 August 2026, 10am-3pm
Free event, registrations required: https://www.botanicgardens.org.au/whats-on/sydney-science-trail-community-day
