On 21 July 2015, to mark 21 years since the Wollemi pine discovery, Mr Shane Rattenbury, Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, accompanied Mr David Noble, the discoverer of the Wollemi pine and NSW Parks and Wildlife Ranger and Ms Trish Keller, Chair of the Friends of the National Arboretum Canberra, to dedicate one of the Arboretum's growing Wollemi pines to Mr Noble.
One of the world's oldest and most rare tree species — the Wollemi pine — was thought to be extinct until 1994 when New South Wales Parks and Wildlife Ranger David Noble discovered a small grove of the trees in a sheltered canyon while abseiling in Wollemi National Park in the Blue Mountains. The Wollemi pine tree in Forest 32 is dedicated to Mr Noble in recognition of his extraordinary discovery. For more information about the Wollemi pine.
Read the Canberra Times article.
Ceremonial trees planted from around the world
The National Arboretum Canberra is home to over 44,000 trees from more than one hundred nations. Many Australian and international leaders and public figures have planted ceremonial trees at the National Arboretum, including Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge; His Excellency Jose Ramos-Horta, President of the Republic of Timor-Leste; renowned Australian author, Mr Thomas Keneally and Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark.
Through ceremonial tree plantings and other special events, the National Arboretum Canberra builds partnerships with local, national and international organisations, individuals and communities to further its role in global tree conservation and research.