Mosman Botanic Garden signs MOU with JCU

    The Mossman Botanic Garden (MBG) has signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding with James Cook University (JCU) and is progressing to implementing stage one of the garden project early in 2023 having received planning approval from Douglas Shire Council to commence construction. Work on the garden is due to commence in early 2023.

    The MOU will enable JCU and the MBG to share expertise, knowledge and educational opportunities for the benefit of both organisations in the interests of rainforest conservation, celebration of traditional knowledge, and the long-term protection of a healthy planet. They have both committed to:
    • To explore opportunities for ongoing mutually beneficial research on tropical biodiversity and tropical agriculture;
    • Identify opportunities for funding to support research and scholarship
    • Explore experiential learning opportunities for undergraduates, post graduates, and short courses; and
    • Explore opportunities for capacity building and training around land management and monitoring.
    The MOU was signed on behalf of the University by Provost Chris Cocklin who has now been appointed to the Board of the Garden.

    In related news, the MBG also has signed an MOU with TAFE Queensland to provide place-based training courses in tropical biosecurity, conservation and land management, and horticulture that will commence in 2023.
    The MBG has existing Memoranda of Understanding with the Jabalbina Aboriginal Corporation representing the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Traditional Custodians, and the Australian Tropical Herbarium (ATH) at JCU. Prof Darren Crayn, inaugural Director of the ATH is also a director of the MBG. The training opportunities to be provided at the MBG by TAFE Queensland will be offered first to the Eastern Kuku Yalanji and other Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples.

    Global accounting firm KPMG has recently developed a Business Plan for the MBG, and is assisting with fundraising. Coordinated by the ATH, seed collecting for the gardens has been undertaken with the help of leading botanical scientists from Australia’s major botanical gardens including the National Botanic Garden in Canberra, the Royal Melbourne Botanic Gardens and Cranborne, and the Royal Botanic Gardens of Sydney. Seeds have been propagated in Mossman in preparation for planting out in the MBG.

    Back to List


    More News


    Sandpit to Seed

    Sandpit to Seed

    The TNQ Drought Hub is excited to be working with James Cook University researchers to help them move their research ideas that could improve agricultural adaption, sustainability and resilience towar...

    Read More

    The National Soils Advocate visit

    The National Soils Advocate visit

    The TNQ Drought Hub recently hosted the National Soils Advocate, the Honourable Penelope Wensley AC for a whirlwind 2-day field trip visiting numerous soils restoration and rehabilitation sites to lea...

    Read More

    Decolonizing HDR Network

    Decolonizing HDR Network

    On 1 August, The Cairns Institute hosted a small, informal symposium for HDR students working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Far North Queensland. It brought together Indigenous...

    Read More

    JCU RED's Public Lectures

    JCU RED's Public Lectures

    The Cairns Institute Fellow Dr Kearrin Sims coordinates the JCU Research Ethical Development Symposium, now in its second year. It will be held 27-29 September at The Cairns Institute. This year will ...

    Read More

    DNA Conference 2023

    DNA Conference 2023

    The Developing Northern Australia Conference returned to Darwin this year in 2023. In 2021, the conference converted to an online event an hour before the program was due to begin due to a sudden NT C...

    Read More

    HDR Student Symposium on Decolonial Research Practices

    HDR Student Symposium on Decolonial Research Practices

    The Cairns Institute will host an informal symposium for HDR students working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Far North Queensland. This symposium will explore if and how post-gr...

    Read More

    Science to Practice Forum

    Science to Practice Forum

    TNQ Drought Hub’s Professor Allan Dale, Doctor Jane Oorschot and Ms Kara Worth were invited to speak at the Science to Practice Forum and share their experience on innovative tools and practices...

    Read More

    TNQ Drought Hub Scholarships

    TNQ Drought Hub Scholarships

    Congratulations to the TNQ Drought Hub drought resilience scholarship recipients. The hub recently offered scholarship opportunities to JCU students who were interested in undertaking an Honours or Ma...

    Read More

    Top

    © 2023 The Cairns Institute | Site Map | Site by OracleStudio | Design by LeoSchoepflin