Guests are welcome at our activities.

Meetings

We hold evening meetings on the 2nd Friday of each month February to November. 

Next meeting: at Beatrice Taylor Hall 13th March 2026 7.30pm for 8:00pm.

James Indsto: Forensic Botany

For full details, see below.

Group Outings and Activities

Usually held at a weekend, these outings visit  local gardens, reserves or other places of interest or sometimes there may be work to be done!

Next North Shore Group Activity: Will be in March 2026

Walks & Talks

Walks and Talks are open to the public. See their own page, here.

Propagation, Plant Sales, The Knoll Garden and Bushcare

The Propagation group meets on alternate Wednesdays, weather permitting. Native plants are available for sale (cash only) and growing advice is provided. This activity is carried out at the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, St Ives in the white shade house located behind the Wildflower Garden Visitors Centre. See the NSG entries on the calendar on the APS NSW Activities page for propagation, plant sales and advice of dates. Contact Tania Lamble on 0415043671 for details..

Volunteers also maintain the Knoll Garden at the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, St Ives. Please contact Wendy Grimm on 0419323035  for details.

A Ku-ring-gai Council-run Bushcare group in which members participate is also active in the Garden on non-propagation Wednesdays. Contact KMC (bushcare@krg.nsw.gov.au) for details.

Next Evening Meeting

Next meeting Friday 13th March 2026 7.30pm for 8.00pm at Beatrice Taylor Hall, Hornsby.

James Indsto: Forensic Botany

Botanists in Australia have assisted police in crime investigations over many years. Despite its usefulness botanical evidence is often overlooked. A famous case from 1960 is the Graeme Thorne murder case, where a young boy was kidnapped and murdered. His body was found wrapped in a blanket in bushland. Plant fragments on the blanket included garden plants. These were identified and led police to the suspect. Some case examples and techniques, including photography and microscopy techniques will be illustrated. Forensic botany is a broad field and people with a range of special skills may be able to assist police.

There will be plants for sale (cash or card), library & supper.

ALL Welcome

The Beatrice Taylor Hall is behind Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre at 25 Edgeworth David Avenue, Hornsby. There will be plant sales after the meeting (cash only, please bring change) and refreshments. The NSG Botanical library is also available for members to browse and borrow items.