The Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (RBGV) has partnered with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) to launch a series of free events to celebrate the Victoria Nature Festival (ending 26 September).
Director and Chief Executive of the RBGV, Tim Entwisle said the digital and in-person events were dedicated to connecting people and families to nature and Country and improving wellbeing.
“Gardens will explore the themes of Building Nature Stories Together and Sharing Nature Stories, encouraging visitors to act for nature and explore what can be done to care for the planet,” Mr Entwisle said
“This year, we welcome people of all ages to connect with nature during the Victoria Nature Festival, no matter where you are,” he said.
“We hope that you find the online program informative, inspiring and refreshing.”
Mr Entwisle said for people able to visit the Melbourne or Cranbourne Gardens, RBGV’s augmented reality and self-guided program Seeing the Invisible would turn the Gardens into a virtual art gallery, visible through a smartphone.
He said with a pair of headphones and a smartphone, visitors could also enjoy the Sonica Botanica: Stories and Sounds from the Gardens podcast and Flora and the Baron which would take them on a historical, artistic and entertaining guided audio tour of Melbourne Gardens.
“During the Festival, the Gardens will host two free live-streamed events, A Virtual Walk on the Wild Side, a special forum about the rare and threatened plants growing at Cranbourne Gardens and how home gardeners can help, and Bandicoots in our Backyards, an opportunity to learn about endangered Southern Brown Bandicoots,” Mr Entwisle said.
“A full suite of videos will also be available on the Gardens’ Virtual Garden webpage.”
Mr Entwisle said videos about Fungi, responding to Climate Change, Orchid Conservation and wild-collecting of plants were available from RBGV’s scientists.
He said people could connect to Country through Explore Long Island or learn about bushfoods with the Australian Forest Walk.
“There are videos specifically for young people too, about endangered Southern Brown Bandicoots, Nature Journaling and the wonderful world of cacti,” Mr Entwisle said.
Further information on RBGV’s Victoria Nature Festival events can be accessed at this PS News link.
