ClimateWatch Royal Botanic Garden Melbourne Trail
ClimateWatch Royal Botanic Garden Melbourne Trail
Discover what is happening in Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens, and contribute to a national science program that helps inform Australia’s response to climate change.
Summary
Discover what is happening in Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens, and contribute to a national science program that helps inform Australia’s response to climate change.
Description
*Note: May 2020 - Please see this update on the gardens' operating hours in response to Covid-19 before visiting.
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne plays a leading role in the conservation of plants through biodiversity research, programs to protect rare and threatened species, and the study of habitats. It is an ideal environment for recording information on species to bridge the information gap, but we need your help!
ClimateWatch is a national environmental monitoring program developed by Earthwatch Australia with the Bureau of Meteorology and The University of Melbourne. This walk is a ClimateWatch trail, where we ask you to look for different species of plants and animals and record their behaviour and life stage in the name of science.
The Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne ClimateWatch trail starts at the Visitor Centre, and takes you through the many different areas of the gardens, in a quest to find nine different tree species and many other birds, insects and mammals.
Walk the ClimateWatch trail and observe the plants and animals that are most sensitive to future climate change. Record what you see using the free ClimateWatch smartphone app, available through iTunes or Google Play. You can also use recording sheets available from the Royal Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre (the start of the walk).
14775 Views
Points of Interest
1. White Cedar
Look for these deciduous trees on the left of the path as you pass the Children's Garden.
2. Jacaranda
Stop in at the mighty Jacaranda tree on the left. What stage of its annual life cycle is it up to? Don't forget to record what you see on the ClimateWatch app or recording sheet.
3. Firewheel Tree
This beautiful native tree on your left has striking red flowers. Are they out today?
4. Illawarra Flame Tree
An iconic Australian tree which flowers in spring. Scientists think that these trees and others might flower earlier due to climate change, so please record what you see.
5. English Oak
This tree can be quite tricky to find, but if you spot it, record what stage of its annual cycle it is at. Leaves falling? Flowers opening? Submit your sightings on the ClimateWatch app
6. Silky Oak
This giant tree is just past the cafe. Silky Oaks aren't related to other oak trees at all but are actually a species of Grevilla and are very popular with birds!
7. Lake
As you walk around the lake, look for birds. Dusky moorhens, black swans, willie wagtails, and many other ClimateWatch species love this beautiful spot.
8. Silver Banksia and Victorian Christmas Bush
As the tip of Long Island you will find both of these native plants. Check to see if they are flowering, and be sure to smell the minty leaves of the VIC Christmas Bush
9. Marri
The last stop on the ClimateWatch trail is the Western Australian Marri eucalypt. Check to see if it is flowering, or whether it is sporting has any gumnuts (known as honky nuts in the west).
Features
Public Transport
Picnic spot
Seating available
Public toilets
Pram friendly
Local treasures
Lake, creek, river
Park / Garden
