8. PRIORITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION

For each of the aims of the Gardens, numbered as in Chapter 1, the priorities are listed in descending order and cross-referenced to the section of the text in which they are discussed. Some of the activities relate to more than one of the listed aims so there is some unavoidable duplication in the listing.

1. to maintain and develop integrated living and herbarium collections of Australian and related floras
   • curate the collections to the highest standards (Sections 2.2, 2.3 and 3.2.1)

   • provide a secure environment for maintenance of the collections in perpetuity (Sections 2.5, 2.6, 3.2.3 and 3.2.4)

   • maintain and further develop a responsive integrated database of information about the collections (Section 3.4.1)

   • continue an active program to collect and accession material and information on taxa under-represented in the collections (Section 3.2.1)

   • develop and implement, with the CSIRO Division of Plant Industry, plans for the joint operation of a single herbarium as part of the Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research (Section 3.6)

2. to display the living collections in an educationally useful and attractive setting that enables people to enjoy and appreciate the recreational and horticultural values of botanic gardens
   • maintain the horticultural standards and aesthetic values of the Gardens (Section 2.3)

   • complete the development of the Tasmanian and Sydney Basin displays (Section 2.1.1)

   • refurbish the Rock Garden display (Section 2.1.1)

   • develop additional displays of plants of ethnobotanical interest (Section 2.1.6)

   • review taxonomic plantings and implement changes as necessary (Section 2.1.3)

   • further develop the displays of rainforest, mallee and coastal heath flora (Section 2.1.1)

   • plan and construct an orchid conservatory (Section 2.1.4)

   • develop new displays of the flora of the Australian Capital Territory region and woodland and grassland flora (Section 2.1.1)

   • plan and develop displays of alpine and subantarctic plants and arid region flora (Section 2.1.1)

   • develop plans for a tropical rainforest conservatory (Section 2.1.1)

3. to encourage people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to enjoy botanic gardens
   • continue to promote the Gardens and its special activities for visitors and monitor visitors responses (Section 4.1)

   • develop and extend the activities of volunteers and the Friends of the Gardens (Sections 3.5.2, 3.5.1 and 4.5.2)

   • design and construct a new entry from Clunies Ross Street. (Section 7.3)

   • improve the `no steps trail' and review and redesign the path system (Sections 4.1.2 and 7.3)

   • design and construct a new visitor information centre (Sections 4.2 and 7.2)

   • plan and develop a new kiosk, `common' and picnic shelter (Sections 4.1.3 and 7.2)

   • investigate the feasibility of establishing an internal transport system for visitors (Sections 4.1.2 and 7.3)

4. to provide an information resource for government, industry, science and the community
   • maintain and further develop publicly accessible botanical information systems and electronic information networks (Sections 3.4 and 4.2)

   • maintain and further develop a botanical and horticultural library (Section 3.4.3)

   • maintain public reference herbaria and encourage their use by the community (Sections 3.2.2, 4.1.2 and 4.2)

   • continue to produce leaflets and other publications dealing with botanical and horticultural topics (Section 4.2)

   • publish the results of research (Section 3.3)

   • promote use of the National Plant Photographic Index (Sections 3.1.3 and 4.6)

5. to conduct and encourage research on the collections
   • continue current research programs on orchids, cryptogams and other strategic groups (Section 3.3)

   • develop, with the CSIRO Division of Plant Industry, the research programs of the Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research (Section 3.3)

   • improve facilities available for visiting scientists and associates (Sections 3.5.1 and 7.2)

   • provide training and work-experience opportunities for botany students (Section 3.5.3)

   • re-establish a horticultural extension service supported by an applied research program (Section 2.2 and 3.3)

6. to promote the protection, conservation and wise use of Australia's flora
   • promote and support the development of the Australian Network for Plant Conservation (Sections 2.1.2 and 5.2)

   • manage the remnant native vegetation and wildlife in the Gardens for conservation and education (Sections 2.4, 2.7 and 4.2)

   • review and rationalise the endangered species collection (Section 2.1.2)

   • provide educational opportunities for students to learn about conservation and management of Australia's flora (Section 4.3)

   • plan, for the Information Centre, a major interactive display dealing with endangered Australian plant species (Section 4.2)

7. to foster understanding of Australia's plant heritage and its environmental and cultural values
   • produce leaflets and other publications on botanical and horticultural topics (Section 4.2 )

   • prepare, for the Information Centre, displays on Australia's plant heritage (Section 4.2 )

   • erect new interpretive signs in the Gardens (Section 4.2)

   • develop additional educational material on ethnobotanical themes of interest (Section 2.1.5)

   • plan a major planting to illustrate the evolution and biogeography of the Australian flora (Section 2.1.4)

8. to provide a national focus for, and cooperate with other organisations in, matters concerning botanic gardens and herbaria
   • maintain current commitments to participation in national and international bodies involved in botanic gardens issues (Section 5.1)

   • maintain close ties and cooperative advertising links with tourism authorities (Section 4.1.4)

   • promote and support the Australian Network for Plant Conservation (Section 5.2)

   • promote the development of national and international standards for botanical data exchange (Sections 3.6 and 5.4)

   • support and play an active role in the Australian Cultivar Registration Authority (Section 5.3)

   • support the establishment and development of botanic gardens in regional Australia and in the Asia-Pacific region (Sections 5.1 and 5.3)

9. to maintain an accountable, efficient and flexible organisation that is responsive to clients and provides opportunities and encouragement for staff
   • provide a safe and healthy environment for staff and visitors (Section 6.6)

   • secure appropriate funding to enable this Plan of Management to be fully implemented (Sections 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)

   • ensure staff resources are appropriate and sufficient to give full effect to this Plan of Management (Section 6.4)

   • provide training and career development opportunities for staff at all levels in the Gardens workforce (Section 6.5)

   • maximise the opportunities for volunteers to contribute to the Gardens' activities, to the extent consistent with safety, efficiency and harmonious industrial relations (Section 6.4)

   • refurbish and redevelop the existing Botany Building, Herbarium and research facilities (Section 7.2)

   • construct a new horticultural maintenance, trades and service complex to service the Gardens in Canberra (Section 7.2)

   • construct new nursery facility for the Gardens in Canberra (Section 7.2).