Successful past projects

The Adelaide Botanic Gardens Foundation acknowledges the vision and generosity of supporters who have contributed to these successful Botanic Gardens of South Australia projects.

Kangaroo Island Bushfire Recovery

The Foundation’s Annual Appeal 2020 raised $54,000 to support the post-bushfire recovery of plant diversity on Kangaroo Island.

These funds enabled our seed conservation team to commence immediate work within a crucial window of opportunity, with several field trips undertaken during the spring and summer of 2020-21.

Field activities included post-fire assessment of over 40 threatened plant populations, as well as the collection of seeds and scientific specimens. A sample of seeds from each collected species have been used for germination and fire response tests, with findings shared widely through our seed website.

Seed samples have been carefully stored in the seed bank, creating a vital resource for future species recovery and restoration work aiming to halt the loss of South Australian flora.

South Australian Seed Conservation Centre

Established in 2002, the South Australian Seed Conservation Centre helps protect the state’s threatened plant species from extinction, while supporting the restoration of habitats around SA.

Chris Steele Scott Pavilion

This Chris Steele Scott Pavilion was the first of its kind in the state where a community group raised most of the funds and fully managed building works for a project on Crown land. The project was initiated by the Mount Lofty Botanic Garden Support Group, which was instrumental in raising the funds and in-kind support to build the Pavilion – named for Chris Steele Scott OAM (a lifetime supporter of the Gardens). More than 130 donors contributed.

Little Sprouts Kitchen Garden

After a South Australian Government election promise turned to construction in late 2014, the Little Sprouts Kitchen Garden opened its gates to pre-school and early-years school groups in April 2015.

Garden of Health

Opened in 2011, the Garden of Health demonstrates the use of plants to heal and promote health and wellbeing in western and non-western cultures.

The Santos Museum of Economic Botany

The fourth project to emerge from the success of the Gardens’ 150 years appeal saw the Santos Museum of Economic Botany – the last remaining museum of its kind in the world – lovingly restored. The extensive project lasted a year with the ornate and much-loved institution reopened to the public in 2009. A generous Federal Government grant also helped make the restoration possible.

Amazon Waterlily Pavilion

The Amazon Waterlily Pavilion, built in 2007, is an exquisite glass palace for a jewel of the natural world – the Victoria amazonica waterlily.

SA Water Mediterranean Garden

The SA Water Mediterranean Garden showcases plants from the five Mediterranean climates around the world.

Schomburgk Pavilion

A raised terrace at the rear of the Santos Museum of Economic Botany, the Schomburgk Pavilion’s elegant contemporary glass design complements the Museum building. The Pavilion houses the Visitor Information Centre, Evergreen Deli and Diggers Garden Shop.