Training the Future: 30 Years of the Volunteer Botanical Training Program

Bronwyn Collins (Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research).

Beginning with the first small group of students hosted by the then Australian National Botanic Gardens Herbarium in 1993 the Volunteer Botanical Training Program has trained and mentored over 300 students. For 3 decades participants have received training in collections curation and provided assistance to both curatorial and research staff at the Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research. This presentation will look at the history of the program, outcomes for participants and some of the more recent challenges in running a successful program.