More than one million plant specimens kept for research by leading scientists will be housed at a recently opened herbarium facility at the Australian Botanic Garden in Mount Annan.
The National Herbarium of NSW, the biggest of its kind in Australia, will safeguard the Australian Institute of Botanical Science’s growing collection of important plant specimens.
With more than 8000 new plant specimens to be added to the facility’s collection every year, the herbarium will support vital scientific research and be essential in informing decisions about the conservation of the natural environment.
The facility’s innovative, functional, and sustainable design is inspired by the waratah seed pod of NSW’s floral emblem.
Six protective vaults and controlled environmental conditions are key features of the building, which is also designed to shield the collection from bushfires and extreme weather conditions.
Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the facility will be an important cultural and scientific asset for NSW.
“This has brought an important cultural and scientific attraction to the west and more than 100 leading scientists to work in Sydney’s south-west,” Mr Ayres said.