The majority of people working in the State Herbarium and the Seed Conservation Centre have expertise in botanical science and most have a long term relationship with working in our organisation.
Herbarium staff and honorary research associates have expertise in a wide range of areas, from taxonomy of vascular plants, algae, fungi and lichens, nomenclature, botanical history and traditional morphological methodologies to molecular genetics, genomics and phylogenetic research techniques. In addition, field botany including biodiversity surveys, field based trait observations and cultivated growth testing of plant traits, data systems, science synthesis, integration and communication.
Seed Conservation Centre staff have expertise in South Australian flora field botany including biodiversity surveys and field based trait observations, seed collecting, germination science, mycorrhizal culture, native plant seed orchard, plant production and nursery establishment, native plant translocation and restoration, weed exclusion, orchid propagation and high resolution seed imagery. The members of this team also are experienced in sharing their knowledge of threatened plants and providing on-ground training of volunteers, school aged and adult community groups and professionals in the collection, storage and propagation of wild plants.
Many of the staff at BGSH are involved in work that leads to the protection of native flora, restoration of ecological communities and sharing their knowledge on our native biodiversity.
Honorary Research Associates are appointed by the Board of the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium.
Volunteers contribute in many ways to the building and curation of the collections of the State Herbarium, as well as to our various research programs. Their invaluable contribution enables us to continue to house a world class collection of more than one million specimens.
We are always happy to hear from interested people who want to help. Volunteers from all backgrounds, with or without botanical training, can help with a variety of tasks. Some can be learnt quickly with no previous experience; others require some botanical training or knowledge.
Given the permanent scientific - and in many cases, irreplaceable - nature of the herbarium collection, all tasks require particular care and attention to detail. The work is of a curatorial/technical nature. There is some scope to assist with research projects or even engage in approved, personal research projects under guidance, with approval of the Chief Botanist. The main requirements for volunteers are self-motivation and general interest in plants and/or the environment.
