City of Coffs Harbour Council has officially opened the region’s new Nature Discovery Centre in the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden.
Sitting seamlessly in a lush forest site, the $350,000 Centre has been a labour of love for Council, Prosper Coffs Harbour and the Friends of the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden.
The architect-designed centre provides an indoor/outdoor classroom and educational hub for schools and community groups and is expected to gain interest from across the North Coast.
“This is a fantastic new asset for the community in what is one of Coffs Harbour’s most stunning attractions in the sprawling botanic garden on the fringe of the CBD,” said Deputy Mayor, George Cecato.
“The Discovery Centre melds perfectly with the landscape and will serve as a hub for groups – particularly school children – to venture out and learn about the plants and animals in the garden like a David Attenborough-style doco.”
Friends of the Botanic Garden President, Graham Tupper, acknowledged the many hands involved in the project, including a generous individual donor and community groups such as Rotary.
“The botanic garden offers a safe outdoor classroom experience using the existing network of signposted paths and boardwalks to explore a variety of plants and animals in both the natural old growth forests and in the planted garden areas,” Mr Tupper said.
The Discovery Centre adds another bow to the Botanic Garden which already sees some 120,000 through the doors every year – locals and visitors.
Two new education kits have also been launched for use by schools using the Discovery Centre. The kits, designed for primary school-aged students, detail short circuit walks with guide notes for teachers to take their class on an adventure walk.
“This beautiful new indoor/outdoor classroom space and the educational kits are designed to make learning about plants, gardening, wildlife and nature fun and easy,” Mr Tupper said.
“The aim is to make organising a rich outdoor classroom learning experience for students as easy as possible for busy school teachers.”
Acting General Manager and Prosper Coffs Harbour Director, Andrew Beswick said the covered Discovery Centre classroom is aptly complemented by its immediate surrounds.
“The new building is adjacent to the natural forests and the nature trail in the botanic garden – so it’s handy to a range of discovery walks,” Mr Beswick said.
Mr Beswick also praised the efforts and commitment of fellow Prosper Coffs Harbour Directors Ann Gee, Leonie Henschke, Leslie Juhasz and Dave Munro, for facilitating the fundraising necessary to make this iconic project a reality.
“Also, a shoutout to the Friends as an integral partner in this project. They provide more than 100 volunteers who maintain the garden and provide visitor information. They also lead tours and maintain the seed bank, herbarium (plant library) and a database of the living plants in the garden,” Mr Beswick said.
CrCecato said the 20-hectare Botanic Garden includes substantial areas of old natural forest and is home to an abundance of wildlife including koala and gliders.
Schools can hire the Nature Discovery Centre for a half or full day, and organise their own self-guided activities using the new free education kits, or they can book guided programs with the staff and volunteers at the garden.
The North Coast Regional Botanic Garden on the corner of Hardacre and Coffs streets is open seven days a week from 9am to 5pm. Entry is free.
For more information and to book, visit https://coffsbotanicgarden.com.au.
