Science week action in our botanic garden

A big slice of the popular National Science Week action is coming to south west Sydney later this month.

The Australian PlantBank at the Botanic Garden Mount Annan will be hosting one of the hundreds of events taking place during the Sydney Science Festival.

PlantBank Open Day will be on Sunday, August 23, between 10 am and 2 pm.

Unveiled in 2013, the Australian PlantBank houses the NSW Seedbank and provides the plant and seed scientists of the Botanic Gardens with a state of the art facility to study Australia’s native plants to ensure their long term existence.

Deputy executive director of science and conservation Dr Brett Summerell said the PlantBank shows, in an interesting and engaging way, why this country is ranked fifth in the world for plant mega diversity and why it’s imperative we conserve our flora.

“The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan and the Australian PlantBank is the place to be for a totally Australia plant encounter,’’ he says.

“Once you’ve been, I guarantee you’ll leave excited and impressed by the endless potential of Australian native plants,’’ Dr Summerell said.

 Visitors on the August 23 open day will enjoy:

·         behind the scenes tours with PlantBank’s expert scientists

·         educational activities for the younger visitors

·         botanically inspired face painting

·         plant based art and craft

·         seed planting

·         Insektus with their fabulous insect display

·         entertainment, a delicious barbecue and coffee cart.

There will also be giveaways to the first 500 completing the G Path passport.

Don’t forget to download the PlantBank app so that you can have a truly interactive experience on the day; to find out how to do download it, visit the plant bank website here.

“There is adventure to be had inside and outside the Australian PlantBank and I encourage people to set aside the day to explore Australia’s largest botanic garden as well as the PlantBank,’’ Dr Summerell said.

“Bring a picnic rug, take advantage of our great barbecue facilities, head off on the fantastic trail bike track and take in one of Australia’s largest collections of wattle species in full bloom.’’

“The infectious passion of our scientists and their breadth of knowledge regarding our natural world is sure to inspire many advocates for plant conservation.’’

For information about the PlantBank Open Day or the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan call the Visitor Information Centre on 4634 7935 or keep up to date with the event on the Garden’s facebook page.