The Melton Botanic Gardens are one step closer to getting international accreditation.
The gardens have already been awarded international accreditation for their dryland eucalyptus arboretum by international conservation peak body, ArbNet.
The garden is managed by volunteer organisation Friends of the Melton Botanic Garden.
President John Bentley said this was “part of the process” in the friends’ strategic plan to get the 27-hectare site recognition on a global scale.
Locals and tourists alike enjoy the “premier destination”, Mr Bentley said.
“We are attracting people from all over the state and overseas travellers have been recommended to come here,” he said.
“A couple of years ago one of the visitors on the guided tour said the botanic gardens had put Melton on the map.”
Mr Bentley said the gardens are an important gathering space for families as well.
“Lots of people exercise and take their kids here, especially around the lake. It is a place to immerse yourself in nature,” he said.
Friends of the Melton Botanic Garden has 100 active volunteers, as well as more than 400 financial members, who provide financial support by paying a membership fee.
The eucalyptus arboretum is looked after by the ‘gumnuts group’ that has 10 members to tend to the trees.
Mr Bentley said everyone involved was humbled.
“We just all plod along and work away but … the recognition is exciting.”
The Arbnet Arboretum Accreditation Program is designed to help those interested in flora to meet professional standards and advance the conservation of trees.
Eddie Russell
