Join us as a Friend of Sherwood Arboretum

The value of a strong Friends of Sherwood Arboretum

The Friends of Sherwood Arboretum (FOSA) is a not-for-profit incorporated association committed to advocacy, ‘hands-on’ tree and bushland care and to improving the visitor experience.

FOSA was formed in 1986 after its volunteers learnt the value of a strong ‘community voice’ by successfully advocating with Brisbane City Council to overcome plans to reclaim the Arboretum wetlands in 1968 and to rezone the whole site for sport and recreation in 1975.

The Arboretum started life as Brisbane’s second botanic gardens in 1925 as a place to showcase and study Australian native trees. However, in the 1970s, it lost its botanic gardens status after the new Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mount Coot-tha was established.

Our ongoing advocacy over more than a decade with Council helped achieve Sherwood Arboretum officially becoming one of the three Brisbane Botanic Gardens in 2020.

There is so much to discover here – the valued collection of Australian native trees in this unique riverside setting, its bird-rich wetlands, its historic avenue of rainforest giants and those inviting green spaces to relax in, unwind and to enjoy.

Our on-going advocacy with Brisbane City Council and our ‘hands-on’ voluntary support are just two key ways we are working to achieve our community’s goal of helping ensure present and future visitors continue to enjoy the Sherwood Arboretum we all love.