Over the last decade, FOSA has maintained its ongoing advocacy to help achieve the return of Sherwood Arboretum to Brisbane Botanic Gardens after some 40 years of Parks care.

In the lead up to the Arboretum’s centenary on 21 March 2025, our community has greatly welcomed the decision of the Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner to recognise Sherwood Arboretum as a Brisbane Botanic Garden under the care of the Curator.

2007: Sherwood Arboretum was listed on the Queensland Government’s State Heritage Register

2014: Council unanimously recognised the name, Sherwood Arboretum, with the John Herbert Memorial Vista becoming a feature of the Arboretum.

2015: The community celebrated the Arboretum’s 90th anniversary. Council appointed the Curator of Brisbane Botanic Gardens to have oversight of the living collection. However, Parks South continued overall site management.

13 June 2018: In his 2018 – 2019 budget speech, Lord Mayor Graham Quirk announced that the Arboretum would come ‘under the umbrella’ of Brisbane Botanic Gardens and an Assistant Curator would be appointed.

26 July 2019: Sherwood Arboretum was showcased on ABC – TV Gardening Australia for National Tree Day, celebrated on-site by the Queensland Governor, Paul de Jersey AC and students of Sherwood State School.

29 May 2020: On Botanic Gardens Day, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner announced that Sherwood Arboretum had recently been designated as an official Botanic Gardens for Brisbane.

15 June 2022: Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner advised FOSA that Sherwood Arboretum would be managed by the Curator of Brisbane Botanic Gardens and his team. Funding would be provided for the design of a new nature play area.