Friends of the Botanic Gardens Home Page

The Mission of the Friends
The Friend's mission is to foster closer relations between the Durban Botanic Gardens and the public of Durban and it's environs. To promote an understanding of the functions, aims, resources, services and needs of the Gardens. To assist in bringing to the Gardens expertise and energy as may be available in the community. To collect funds needed for the maintenance and development of the Gardens and to promote an interest in the Gardens.

What is the Friend's Organisation?
Formed in 1994, the Friends is a non profit organisation of the Durban Botanic Gardens Trust established to support the Gardens in it's service to the community. Friends members would include teachers, horticulturists, nature lovers, nurserymen, garden club members and the general public who are interested in seeing the Garden grow and develop.

What do the Friends do?
In addition to their annual meeting, the Friends will sponsor and co-sponsor a number of educational and social events. These events heighten awareness of the Gardens while providing information about plants, gardening, landscaping and the environment. Fundraising events run by the Friends will allow for further development in the Gardens. Many Friends members serve as volunteers working at the Information Centre, shop, nursery and other areas at the Garden.

What do I receive as a Friends member?
As a member of the Friends, you will receive "The Conservatory", a newsletter published every 4 months. You will receive a membership card which will allow discounts on plants, books and lectures. You will receive special invitations and advance notification of programmes and events. Most importantly, you will receive the satisfaction of knowing that you are playing an important role in the progress of the Durban Botanic Gardens.

Become a volunteer
Your help will be welcome in any, or all of the following ways:

• Helping sell tickets at concerts 

• Helping at the Plant fair setting out plants, manning cash tills, acting as runner, giving advice, drawing up labels, sticking on labels 

• Helping in the office: stuffing envelopes, manning the telephone, helping to keep the membership lists up to date, writing out receipts 

• Helping with specific functions: the sparrows walk, moving furniture for functions.

Please contact the Friends Office: Friends@durban.gov.za for more information.