Last year, thanks to generous donors, we awarded the inaugural Adelaide Botanic Gardens Foundation Biodiversity and Conservation Scholarship to Andrew McDougall—an early-career scientist working to protect South Australia’s rare native orchids.
The 2025 Appeal raised more than $100,000, supporting this vital program and the next emerging conservation leader.
Gifts are:
“This scholarship will not only bridge financial gaps; but will inspire the next generation of scientists to understand native flora, work to discover new species and identify urgent conservation needs.”
Chief Botanist, Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium, Prof. Michelle Waycott
Andrew’s groundbreaking research is helping define and protect endangered orchid species like Caladenia reticulata and Caladenia patersonii. With your help, he’s using DNA analysis, fieldwork, and herbarium records to inform future conservation decisions.
