Guests are welcome at our activities.

Meetings

We hold evening meetings on the 2nd Friday of each month February to November. 

Next meeting: at Beatrice Taylor Hall 10th April 2026 7.30pm for 8:00pm.

Heather Miles: Australian Flora Foundation

Full details below.

Group Outings and Activities

Usually held at a weekend, these outings visit  local gardens, reserves or other places of interest or sometimes there may be work to be done!

Next North Shore Group Activity: Saturday 11th April 2026

Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, post hazard reduction burn walk

Some of our members, because we spend a bit of time at the Wildflower Gardens, may be aware that there has been a Hazard Reduction Burn recently, held last November 2025. Maybe we are wondering what effect this has had on the vegetation and how it is recovering.

Mark Schuster, who was guest speaker at our meeting in February, as well as being interested in Natural History Writings and People of Ku-ring-gai, which he spoke about to us, also works as Ku-ring-gai Council’s Strategic Bushfire Officer. As such, he is knowledgeable about the operation and outcomes of that Hazard Reduction Burn.

Mark has kindly agreed to accompany us on our Group Walk. We can have a look at post-fire regeneration of the plants and also hear Mark’s comments on the fire’s effect.

We’ll mostly follow the Solander Track, which is conveniently a sealed fire-trail width track. We will also venture down the top sector of the Mueller track – where higher intensity fire activity influenced ecological outcomes. When we venture off the Solander and onto unpaved, narrower bush tracks, we’ll take care to stay on-track and not trample any small new growth seedlings.

Time: 9.30 am Saturday 11^th April

Place: Garden next to Caley’s Pavilion Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Gardens.

What to bring: Weather protection, whether hot or wet! eg rain jacket, umbrella, sunscreen, good walking shoes, water and snacks, lunch for after the walk if you have time to stay on. There are nice picnic tables in the Caley’s Pavilion garden.

Walks & Talks

Walks and Talks are open to the public. See their own page, here.

Propagation, Plant Sales, The Knoll Garden and Bushcare

The Propagation group meets on alternate Wednesdays, weather permitting. Native plants are available for sale (cash only) and growing advice is provided. This activity is carried out at the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, St Ives in the white shade house located behind the Wildflower Garden Visitors Centre. See the NSG entries on the calendar on the APS NSW Activities page for propagation, plant sales and advice of dates. Contact Tania Lamble on 0415043671 for details..

Volunteers also maintain the Knoll Garden at the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, St Ives. Please contact Wendy Grimm on 0419323035  for details.

A Ku-ring-gai Council-run Bushcare group in which members participate is also active in the Garden on non-propagation Wednesdays. Contact KMC (bushcare@krg.nsw.gov.au) for details.

Next Evening Meeting

Next meeting Friday 13th March 2026 7.30pm for 8.00pm at Beatrice Taylor Hall, Hornsby.

Heather Miles: Australian Flora Foundation

I currently serve as Secretary of the Australian Flora Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing scientific research into the biology, conservation and cultivation of Australian plants.

Across my career I’ve worked in roles that sparked my curiosity and enthusiasm — from international consulting across industries, to senior HR leadership in large corporates, to running my own business (including a dot-com venture). These experiences shaped my interest in strategy, governance and practical problem-solving.

I joined the Australian Plants Society NSW in 2013 and contributed as Director, President, Secretary and Webmaster, leading a range of strategic and operational improvements. A highlight was helping deliver the ANPSA Biennial Conference in Kiama.

Photography is a long-standing passion, and I am currently President of Northside Creative Photography in Lindfield. Although I began with native plant and fauna photography, I now also

explore travel, street, technical photography and videography.
My husband and I have a property in the Hunter Valley, where I garden with Australian natives. Most of the land is remnant bush — a mosaic of wet and dry sclerophyll forest, endangered spotted gum–ironbark communities and pockets of rainforest. Over the years we’ve revegetated much of the previously cleared areas.

In my spare time, I love bushwalking, looking after our little grandchildren and doing photoshoots for the family.

In my talk on the Australian Flora Foundation, I will share about:
•    An overview, how we were formed, how we are structured and funded
•    Who are a governing bodies 
•    How we select applications, and track progress
•    Some examples of research
•    Where to from here.

There will be plants for sale (cash or card), library & supper.

ALL Welcome

The Beatrice Taylor Hall is behind Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre at 25 Edgeworth David Avenue, Hornsby. There will be plant sales after the meeting (cash only, please bring change) and refreshments. The NSG Botanical library is also available for members to browse and borrow items.