Expertise in sustainability design supports plant conservation in 94 forests

National Arboretum Canberra

Climate change has led to the increased possibility and severity of bushfires in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). In 2003, nearly 70 per cent of the ACT’s nature parks, pine forest and pastures were severely damaged by fire.

While climate change requires a global response, in Canberra the ACT Government held an Australia-wide competition for the design of a national arboretum and gardens to conserve threatened species of trees and plants, as part of the bushfire recovery program.

Our role in this nationally important project included the construction superintendence and site surveillance of 94 forests, containing more than 44,000 trees from more than 100 countries. Our design for the project also had to accommodate an existing stand of 5,000 Himalayan Cedar trees and the 80-year-old Cork Oak Tree Farm on the 250-hectare site located in the Greenhills Forest. As well as housing tree species, the National Arboretum is also a valuable resource for education, research, and recreation and relaxation.