The National Arboretum Canberra is turning 10 in 2023 and we will be celebrating all year!
From complex beginnings, through drought, fires, pandemics and hail, the National Arboretum Canberra has continued to grow in size, strength, and visitor numbers since opening in 2013.
From what was once described as ‘sticks in the ground’, the National Arboretum has received multiple local and national awards recognising the site as a significant national tourist destination, for excellence in architecture and design, and as an outstanding wedding and function venue. Our staff, volunteers and onsite partners have been recognised for their work in leadership, community engagement, safety and for their volunteer contributions.
Now attracting over 700,000 visitors each year, from loyal locals to domestic tourists including 30,000 school children, visitation is well beyond the 1 million visitors anticipated in the first five years. Over 6 million people have passed through the site. Visitors come to enjoy the forests and themed gardens, the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection, the architecture, the acclaimed restaurant, the views, and the many activities on offer through the public programs.
It was Jon Stanhope MLA, then Chief Minister of the ACT, who had the inspiration to build on Walter Burley Griffin’s original plans for a Canberra arboretum. He created a vision for an arboretum on the burnt-out pine forest as a tribute to the resilience of Canberrans post the tragic 2003 bushfires. Amid considerable opposition, Mr Stanhope founded the National Arboretum Canberra with an international design competition being released in 2004 and the first trees being planted in 2007.
The National Arboretum Canberra was designed to be a place of peace, beauty, recreation, research, and education. With 44,000 rare, endangered, and culturally significant trees from Australia and around the world, it is a living seedbank of international significance. The mosaic of 93 forests and many themed gardens are fulling the vision of creating unique sensory experience in each area whilst playing an important role in conservation and biodiversity.
It is also a place where so many Canberrans have experienced significant milestones, from marriage proposals, weddings, anniversaries, school formals to first steps in the POD Playground. The National Arboretum Canberra has become part of the fabric of this city.
Whilst so much has been achieved in 10 short years, it is the future that Scott Saddler AM, Executive Branch Manager National Arboretum Canberra and Stromlo Forest Park, is the most excited about.
“Over the coming years, the National Arboretum will expand the Forest Sculpture Gallery to include many more outdoor artworks, visitors will be able to enjoy more forests, enhanced facilities, an expanded playground, more outdoor BBQ areas and enjoy a greater range of events. The site’s Masterplan also include a five-star hotel, a ‘breakout’ adventure recreational zone for schools, a dedicated education centre and more’.
“After three years of significant rainfall, the trees have been able to really establish themselves and have put on tremendous growth, in another ten years some of these forests will be unrecognisable from what they are today and the monoculture experience of each forest will become fully realised.”
There are many volunteers, original team members and Friends of the Arboretum who have helped to establish the National Arboretum since the early days and who have shaped the very fabric of the site.
We could not have achieved what we have here today if it were not for the tireless work of the volunteers. Through the twice weekly volunteer working bees, bonsai guides, tour guides and visitor services, citizen science projects and the harvest group.
One of our long-term volunteers, Joanne Maples, starting volunteering at the Arboretum before it was open to the public – that’s over a decade of volunteering! Joanne has contributed to many areas of the Arboretum from volunteer coordination roles, guiding, product development, citizen science and Harvest Group fundraising activities.
“Introducing visitors to the Arboretum’s trees has been a wonderful experience for me. I like to think they will appreciate the value of trees to life on our small planet, more than before they came.”
The Friends of the National Arboretum Canberra is a non-profit community organisation set up in 2008 that continues to be a driving force behind the National Arboretum. The Friends coordinate fundraising projects and community events which include Warm Trees, an annual printed calendar, and the publication of The Arboretum Book. Their sponsorship has allowed the National Arboretum Canberra to roll out masterplan initiatives and raise awareness of Arboretum projects through the Canberra community.
The 10th anniversary of the opening of Arboretum coincides with the 15th anniversary of the Friends of the Arboretum and they reflect on their support of the Arboretum with pride.
“The Friends’ involvement has grown from information sessions in pop-up marquees, bus tours around the site and gold coin donations collected in buckets on Open Days, to funding projects such as the Dairy Farmers Hill Friends Garden, the Friends Shelter, the Ngala tour bus, a garden in the Central Valley and others.
The Friends are passionate advocates of the Arboretum and on this anniversary, we are reminded of the privilege we enjoy, collaborating with Arboretum staff, providing practical support through our volunteering and fund-raising activities and the generous donations from the public, and by providing a means for members of the community to engage with the Arboretum.”
The National Arboretum Canberra acknowledges the valuable contributions to the establishment and development of the site and the ongoing commitment of the Friends of the National Arboretum Canberra, Members of our Advisory Committees including the Bonsai Collection Advisory Committee, the Southern Tablelands Ecosystems Park, Foundation Members and Ambassadors, Sponsors, and partners.
We are proud of the ongoing achievements of our onsite partners The Ginger Group and The Curatoreum as well as the experiences they offer to visitors.
Join us throughout the year to celebrate this milestone. From Kite Festivals and amphitheatre concerts and a Gala Celebration – keep an eye on our website for event details.