we are developing the botanic gardens at girgarre

The Gardens is a living museum of plants from around the world including many rareand threatened species. The Gardens is a member partner in the Australian SeedbankPartnership and the Millennium Seedbank Partnership acting as a repository of seedsfrom around the world. Scientific research is undertaken at the Gardens on many rare and threatened Tasmanian plants and seeds. Vegetable patches are provided to a number of groupseg. Veterans and Families as a means of gardening therapy. Fruit and Vegetables fromthe Food Garden is given to Loaves and Fishes Tasmania (previously Second BiteTasmania) to provide fresh, healthy produce to people in need. A prisoner rehabilitationprogram is run at the Gardens by the Tasmanian Prison Service. The Gardens facilitiesand staff are also provided to other charity organisations for use as a venue for theirfundraising and other events including; Hobart Hospital Foundation's Easter Egg Hunt and Playgroup Tasmania's Teddy Bear's Picnic. Public functionsare also held at the Gardens such as the Christmas Carols in the Gardens.

To provide development and maintenance work in Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens, guided walks programs, promotional displays, information desk, educational displays, quarterly newsletters, plant identification signage, contact with and assistance to reciprocal organisations and the general public.

HRBG was opened in 1985 on a 133.3 hectare bushland site in Heatherbrae and through the support of its volunteers (now numbering around 200) has grown to maintain a living collection of over 3,000 plants (including rare and endangered plants) and a herbarium collection of over 11,000 specimens. Theme gardens cover 30 hectares of the site and include ornamental, ecological, taxonomic and evolutionary, geographic and conservation collections. The remainder of the site is maintained as a conservation zone for local flora. Our VisionTo maintain and develop a Botanic Garden in the Hunter Region for the appreciation, study and enjoyment of horticulture, botany and related fields by the growing of Australian native and other plants. Our MissionTo grow, study, conserve and promote plants, particularly the plants of the Hunter Region. Visitor Attendance The Botanic Gardens attracts between 20,000 and 30,000 visitors each year. Prior to Covid, many of our visitors were from outside of the Hunter area and included overseas travellers. Recent Awards• Named in top 10 of Australia’s Regional Botanic Gardens by Australian Geographic• Port Stephens Australia Day Award Winners 2019• Port Stephens Examiner Business Award for Best Tourist Attraction 2018The Hunter Region Botanic Gardens is distinct and unique, in that it operates as an independent nonprofit organisation, relying on the support of local entities such as councils businesses and community groups. The Gardens offer visitors a peaceful and beautiful garden and bushland setting, a cafe, gift shop, gallery, nursery sales, guided tours and facilities for weddings, conferences and functions.