Burrendong Botanic Garden & Arboretum

29/05/2026

BBGA recently completed an Irrigation Capability and Water Demand Review to ensure water sustainability based on both present and future needs.
This work was undertaken by well known botanical horticultural consultant Peter Symes. Peter is considered one of the most respected botanical horticulturists in Australia, having developed the methodology for the world leading Landscape Succession project at Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (RBGV), where he worked in various roles (mostly as Senior Curator) for over 30 years. This pioneering work, together with his extensive expertise in water management and living collections curation, has led to Peter’s capability being in demand internationally, including Kew Gardens in the UK. Peter was project manager for the development of the world first Climate Assessment Tool that enables a risk ranking against climate scenarios for most of the world’s known trees.
Peter has produced a body of work for BBGA that is both scientifically rigorous, and of great practical application for the rejuvenation of the Living Collections. This project was sponsored by AMPYR Australia and we are immensely grateful for their support in ensuring BBGA's sustainability into the future. AMPYR's Community Relations Manager Melissa Bird recently came out to visit and purchase some plants from our Friends of Burrendong Arboretum to giveaway at the Wellington Show. Thanks for your support of all we do AMPYR! Photo: Melissa Bird (AMPYR), Katrina MacLennan (Friends) Sharon Davern (BBGA) AMPYR Australia

21/05/2026

Yes! Let’s plant in our cities, towns and everywhere in between - natives trees and plants are vital to a sustainable future for all creatures living on earth - including humans ☀️

Urban heat can place a lot of pressure on our communities. Let’s plant in our cities and keep things nice and cool for summers to come 🌳

We work with who create resources to reduce urban heat and build more resilient communities.
For more, visit https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/policy-and-legislation/resilience-and-natural-hazard-risk/urban-heat

21/05/2026

Another brilliant partnership project for our community with Mid Macquarie Landcare 💚

Mid Macquarie Landcare is excited to have been successful in the 2026 round of the Community Nursery Project funding through Landcare Australia's Michael King grants.

In partnership with Burrendong Botanic Garden and Arboretum, we are planning to run a series of seed collection and propagation workshops for Arboretum staff, Landcare staff, land managers and community volunteers.

By expanding the local skill base in correct plant ID, seed collection and propagation, our aim is to see an increased number of native trees and shrubs planted in our region. Increasing native vegetation will provide food and habitat for wildlife and will expand the existing seed bank. Establishing denser mid storey is a deterrent to invasive bird species such as the Indian Myna and native tree plantings help to mitigate erosion and salinity. Skilling up Landcare staff, Arboretum staff and land managers in native seed ID, collection and propagation will result in a greater capacity for revegetation projects now and into the future for the Wellington region.

This project is made possible with funding from a Landcare Australia Ltd Michael King Community Nursery Grant in partnership with Burrendong Botanic Garden and Arboretum.

20/05/2026

Yesterday was World Bee Day - a day set aside to celebrate bees and raise awareness of the essential role that bees and other pollinators play in keeping people and the planet healthy. The blue-banded bee (Amegilla cingulata) is a striking Australian native bee known for its vibrant, iridescent blue stripes. These solitary, non-aggressive bees are vital pollinators using a specialized “buzz pollination” technique to shake pollen out of flowers. Some flowers hide their pollen inside tiny capsules. A blue banded bee can grasp a flower of this type and shiver her flight muscles, causing the pollen to shoot out of the capsule. She can then collect the pollen for her nest and carry it from flower to flower, pollinating the flowers. Quite a few of our native Australian flowers require buzz pollination so blue banded bees are critical for their survival. You can help the bees out by planting bee friendly native gardens - why not come out to our nursery on a Wednesday morning and buy plants propagated from our collections by our Friends? So heres to blue banded bees and all the other pollinators necessary for our planet’s health - and here’s one snapped in our nursery last week by one of our other busy bees, Friends Chair and volunteer

20/05/2026

A lovely morning at BBGA today celebrating Botanic Gardens Week AND National Volunteers Week 🌟 We were delighted to be joined by special visitors (who are volunteers with Rivercare Dubbo) for our BG week and Volunteers Thankyou morning tea. Missing a few of our Friends today but whether you were there or not - THANK YOU. We are indebted to you all - whether you help grow plants, man markets, handle admin, print newsletters, balance books - whatever it is, every contribution matters. Volunteers are at the heart of who we are and what we do - here’s to you all 🙌 🙏💚 Friends of Burrendong Arboretum

18/05/2026

Don’t forget our Botanic Gardens Week event is on tomorrow (Wed 20th) 9-11am! Grow your health by spending time with the plants, meeting our volunteers, sharing morning tea and yarns 😊 And you get to enter the BGANZ draw for some great prizes - just by visiting and connecting with us and our Friends here at BBGA. Can’t wait to see you ☀️

Come Visit and Connect at BBGA on Wed 20th May ☀️ Learn about what’s happening at your local botanic garden, meet some Friends, enjoy morning tea and enter the draw to win a fabulous prize! We’d love to see you at our special Botanic Gardens Week Visit and Connect morning. Botanic gardens - where your health grows 💚

08/05/2026

Had a chance to call in yesterday to the at Mount Annan and visit the Burara Ngurada garden. Burara Ngurada means ‘Dry Country’ in the Dharawal language, which was gifted from Dharawal Elders and knowledge holders. The plants in this garden are from many different dry country ecosystems from across Australia. This project transformed underutilised turf once in need of frequent maintenance, irrigation and weeding, into an arresting arid experience that is wheelchair and pram accessible. Australia’s arid ecosystems are evolutionary marvels, where rare and miraculous plants survive and thrive. As we are looking at establishing a drylands collection/display at BBGA as part of our rejuvenation and new living collections plan it was fascinating to see what they have done here at Mount Annan. A beautiful and engaging display - congratulations to everyone involved in bringing this to life. Can’t wait to visit again soon and see more of the gardens. Taking the time to stop for a picnic and walk in the gardens was such a lovely thing to do on a long trip. Make sure to call in and check it out next time you are in that part of the world. Botanic Gardens - where your health grows 💚 Botanic Gardens of Sydney

07/05/2026

Come Visit and Connect at BBGA on Wed 20th May ☀️ Learn about what’s happening at your local botanic garden, meet some Friends, enjoy morning tea and enter the draw to win a fabulous prize! We’d love to see you at our special Botanic Gardens Week Visit and Connect morning. Botanic gardens - where your health grows 💚

06/05/2026

Native tubestock proudly grown by our Friends of Burrendong Arboretum 🌟 Thanks to Dubbo Regional Council for their support through this purchase - and encouraging the planting of native flora across our region. Make sure you come to the Wellington Show, pick up your free tubestock - and say hello to the Friends who will also be there selling plants, raffle tickets and chatting all things BBGA 💚

🎉 | See us at the show!

If you're heading to Wellington Show on Saturday 16 May, you'll find our stall!

Come say hi to Council staff, chat with your local councillors, and grab some freebies including tubestock plants.

Questions about the draft budget? Ask us while you're there.