Director of SA's Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium appointed Chair of national body

The Board of the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium is very pleased to announce that the Director of the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium of South Australia (BGSH), Mr Michael Harvey, has been elected as the new Chair of the Council of Heads of Australian Botanic Gardens (CHABG).

Comprising the leaders of Australia’s major botanic gardens, CHABG is the national body dedicated to supporting the protection, conservation and enhancement of Australian plants and their ecosystems.

CHABG’s collaborative approach to conservation and seed banks across jurisdictions plays a vital role in supporting native flora conservation nationally.

Membership of the Council includes Australian National Botanic Gardens ACT; Brisbane Botanic Gardens QLD; George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens NT; Kings Park and Botanic Garden WA; The Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney NSW; Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria; Royal Tasmania Botanic Gardens TAS; and BGSH SA.

BGSH Presiding Member, Judy Potter said CHABG is an important organisation for the nation’s plants and botanic resources and Michael Harvey’s appointment to the Council ensures that South Australia and the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium is maintaining its reputation as a leader in the sector.

“Over the past two years we have seen Michael bring enormous energy and successes with his leadership of BGSH. His intellect, influence and collaborative style ensures that CHABG will continue to be led by a passionate executive who will effectively champion the Council’s causes and priorities,” Ms Potter said.

Michael Harvey said he was delighted to be approached to be the Chair of the Council. “Taking on the role of Chair of CHABG is a privilege, and a welcome role which extends my work as Director of the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium. As a member of the Council BGSH and South Australia has a seat at the table on discussions that inform how we work nationally when it comes to enhancing the protection and conservation of our plants,” Mr Harvey said.

“I am enthusiastic about the challenge of stepping into the Chair role with the expertise and support of the Council’s extraordinary minds from around the nation. I would particularly like to thank Denise Ora for being a brilliant and dynamic Chair, for welcoming me to the Council and for her guidance during my first three years in the Botanic Gardens sector.”

BGSH was delighted to host CHABG for its most recent AGM in October 2023 where the Council members experienced tours of our sites and a day of meetings in Adelaide Botanic Garden.