Olive Pink Botanic Garden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Olive Pink Botanic Garden |
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Snakes and Goannas sign in Olive Pink Botanic Garden
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| Location | Alice Springs, Northern Territory |
| Area | 16 hectares (40 acres) |
The Olive Pink Botanic Garden is a special garden in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia. It's about 16 hectares (40 acres) big. This garden is unique because it focuses on plants that naturally grow in the dry, central parts of Australia.
Contents
History of the Garden
How the Garden Started
The land where the Olive Pink Botanic Garden now stands was set aside in 1956. It was officially called the Australian Arid Regions Flora Reserve. This happened because a determined woman named Olive Pink worked very hard for it. She was also the garden's first honorary curator, which means she helped look after it without getting paid.
The garden is located on land owned by the government. This land stretches east from the Todd River near the center of Alice Springs. Before 1956, no one lived on this land. Wild animals like feral goats, rabbits, and cattle grazed there. Because of this, many trees and shrubs were gone from the flat, low-lying areas.
Olive Pink's Vision and Challenges
Olive Pink moved to the area in 1956. For the next 20 years, she worked with her Warlpiri assistants. They faced many challenges, like long periods without rain. They also had very little money to run the garden.
Despite these difficulties, Olive Pink worked to make her dream a reality. They planted many different trees and shrubs. Most of these plants were native to central Australia. They also grew some cacti, garden flowers, and other trees around her home. These plants were chosen because they could survive the hot summers.
The Garden After Olive Pink
Olive Pink passed away in 1975. After her death, the Northern Territory Government took over the reserve. They wanted to continue her dream of a public place. This place would be for everyone to enjoy native plants.
Over the next ten years, many improvements were made. They built walking paths for visitors. A Visitor Centre was also constructed. Many new plants were added, including mulga and red gums. They even created a waterhole and a sand dune area. Displays were put up to help people learn about the plants.
Opening and Recognition
The garden first opened to the public in 1985. It was called the Olive Pink Flora Reserve. In 1996, its name was changed to the Olive Pink Botanic Garden. Today, a group of volunteers manages the garden. They hire curators to look after the growing collection of plants and help visitors.
The Olive Pink Botanic Garden is very important. It was listed on the Register of the National Estate in 1995. It was also added to the Northern Territory Heritage Register in 2009. This is because of its strong connection to Olive Pink. She was an anthropologist, an artist, and a champion for Aboriginal rights. She was also a visionary gardener.
See also
In Spanish: Jardín botánico Olive Pink para niños
