Botanic Gardens of Sydney has worked with leading botanic gardens consultants and climate change experts to develop a comprehensive Living Collections Climate Change Resilience Strategy, ensuring the sustainability and resilience of its living collections for decades to come. This pivotal initiative addresses the critical need for adaptation and planning across the three botanic gardens, The Domain, and the germplasm collections held within the Australian PlantBank.
With a focus on recognising the importance of conservation horticulture and the botanical sciences, the strategy incorporates innovative practices and targeted recommendations for implementing climate resilience approaches to the curation of the living collections. By identifying species not known to be suited to future climates, as well as vulnerable facilities and landscapes across the organisation, Botanic Gardens of Sydney aims to mitigate the impacts of climate change across its horticultural and conservation operations. An integral component of this strategy is the prioritisation of climate-adaptive plantings and succession planning, as well as critical infrastructure improvements to prioritise the long-term health and resilience of both native and exotic species across the gardens.
The Climate Change Resilience Strategy will serve as a crucial guide for the curation and management of the living collections, ensuring that these natural assets continue to thrive for future generations. This work not only strengthens the resilience of the individual gardens but also contributes to global efforts in plant conservation and climate adaptation under the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation.