Planning for the future

The Summary from the ANBG Management Plan 2012-2022 (PDF)

The Australian National Botanic Gardens has been growing, studying and promoting Australian plants and related flora for over 40 years. As a botanic garden and national institution managed by the Australian Government, the ANBG has a mandate to serve the nation; to conserve its living and herbarium collections as significant records of the story of plants in Australia's cultural and natural heritage; to encourage and support the cultivation, use and conservation of Australian plants and to be a custodian of the national story of Australia's unique flora.

The vision for the ANBG is that Australians value, conserve and appreciate our rich plant heritage.

To achieve this vision, the ANBG's mission is:

To inspire, inform and connect people to the Australian flora.

This management plan describes how the ANBG will be managed for the next ten years, both as a Commonwealth reserve under the EPBC Act and as an institution, playing a national role through the science and research activities associated with the knowledge and assets within the ANBG.

Part 1 of this plan is an introduction to the ANBG, providing a description of the reserve and the institution, and details of its vision, mission, goals and corporate values.

Part 2 is the management plan for the ANBG. It presents the legislative context and background information followed by details of how the ANBG will be managed. This is structured around five key result areas and nine goals. Each goal is followed by a direction setting statement which describes where the ANBG aspires to be in ten years. Challenges are described, and policies and actions to achieve the nine goals are set out. This plan aims to be strategic and for the most part specific details of daily operations are not outlined.

The national focus for the ANBG is reflected in the majority of its nine goals and the outcomes that it aims to achieve during the life of this plan:

Goal 1: Manage the national botanic garden to showcase Australia's plants.

Outcomes:
• The national living collection is maintained to high curatorial standards.
• The tree landscape is successfully managed for conservation, succession, maintenance of
heritage values and public safety.
• Successful pioneering of propagation techniques for Australian native plants supports the
ANBG, industry and conservation.

Goal 2: Champion the conservation of Australian plants and the role of ex situ conservation in integrated conservation management.

Outcomes:
• Successful development of a national network of native seed banks contributes to safeguarding Australian plant species from extinction.
• Successful collaborations highlight the ANBG's expertise and contribution to plant conservation.
• Accurate information is readily available to the Australian community to foster understanding and appreciation of conservation and the sustainable use of biodiversity.
• New living collection displays are developed that highlight the principles of sustainability through inspiring design and interpretation.

Goal 3: Create an inspirational place for enjoyment and learning.

Outcomes:
• Interpretation and experiences that connect people with plants and inspires learning and understanding of the value of Australia's unique flora.
• Events and activities hosted at the ANBG are enjoyed by a wide variety of people.
• Collaborations with tourism agencies and interests raise the ANBG's profile.
• New developments improve the accessibility of the ANBG site and encourage greater exploration of the living collection.

Goal 4: Engage communities in valuing and conserving Australia's natural and cultural heritage.

Outcome:
• Productive relationships with diverse communities increase understanding of and active involvement in the valuing and conservation of Australian plants.

Goal 5: Increase knowledge of Australian flora through outstanding research activities.

Outcomes:
• Through the Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, the ANBG makes significant contributions to understanding and knowledge about plant systematics, taxonomy, biogeography and the evolutionary origins of Australian plants and related floras.
• Horticultural science research generates practical outcomes that improve knowledge of the horticulture of Australian plants for industry and conservation.
• The Australian National Herbarium's taxonomic and geographic representative scientific collection of Australian and related floras is further developed to the highest curatorial standards.

Goal 6: Be the gateway for knowledge about Australian plants.

Outcomes:
• The ANBG is the central authoritative and accessible point for information about Australian plants.
• Research-based knowledge and supporting resources are widely used by a variety of clients through high quality electronic communications and information delivery networks.
• Strong partnerships with like-minded organisations bring together accurate and comprehensive information to foster understanding, appreciation and conservation of Australia's flora.

Goal 7: Facilitate and collaborate in national and international policy and practice to support the work of plant focused institutions and organisations.

Outcomes:
• The ANBG's ongoing participation in and contribution to effective national and international policies, protocols and standards relevant to the work of botanic gardens is recognised.
• The ANBG is a centre of expertise with regard to the flora of Australia and for national and international collaborative efforts including the Australian Network for Plant Conservation, Botanic Gardens Australia and New Zealand Inc., the Australian Cultivar Registration Authority and work under the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Goal 8: Grow as a national institution.

Outcomes:
• The expertise of staff and associates in science, horticulture and education is recognised and valued nationally and internationally.
• Best practice business operations and appropriate financial and staff resources support the management of the ANBG and the implementation of this plan.
• Partnerships with government and the private sector create a secure financial base for ANBG operations and programs that is appropriate to its national and international standing.
• Risk is managed to ensure the health and safety of visitors and staff and the protection of the ANBG's valuable assets.

Goal 9: Demonstrate environmental best practice and sustainable management.

Outcomes:
• An environmental management system is implemented that reduces the carbon footprint of the ANBG and successfully involves staff and the community in best achievable environmental practice.
• Maintain and execute a detailed schedule to guide the successful implementation of actions outlined in this plan.
• Continue to build staff capacity and employ succession planning strategies.
• Implement business practices that support the broadening of the revenue base.
• Continue to maintain partnerships and work collaboratively to draw together diverse expertise that complements the work of the ANBG.
• Share expertise to increase understanding of Australian plants and the role of the ANBG through enhanced documentation and use of diverse media.
• Regularly evaluate and monitor ANBG operations to maintain best practice in science, horticulture, conservation and education.