Keen botanists who visit Griffith’s campuses will recognise hundreds of plants native to Queensland. “We are conscious of our role as ecological stewards of the lands on which we work and study, and how our gardens and forests are living laboratories,” says Griffith’s very own ‘plant whisperer’ Professor Catherine Pickering.
This approach also reflects the long-standing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge of Caring for Country, which recognises the importance of local plants in sustaining healthy ecosystems.
With Brisbane, Logan and the Gold Coast home to thousands of native plants, there are so many to choose from. And greening our cities, gardens and campuses is a deliberate choice, says Catherine.
“With our climate getting even hotter, including heat waves, we need to increase canopy cover to stay cool and active,” she points out. “That’s why we focus on planting native trees and shrubs that are resilient and grow well in this climate. There’s also far less risk of them becoming weeds, which is a major threat to local forests.”
To share Griffith’s experience with these plants, Catherine has authored three gardening books with Work Integrated Learning students that include insights and images from local plant experts.
Electronic copies of these and other biodiversity books are available for free on the Griffith Biodiversity website. The books include Native Plants for Indoors and Small Gardens, Native Plants for School Gardens, and the latest publication, Native Street and Garden Trees in South East Queensland.
The Gold Coast campus, situated on the land of the Kombumerri peoples, part of the Yugambeh language region, now contains more than ten hectares of native gardens containing over 230 native plants and an endangered forest.
These landscapes deliver wide-ranging environmental and community benefits, including carbon storage, cooling, improved air and water quality, reduced flooding and erosion, lower energy use, and vital habitat for birds, bees and butterflies.
And they’re great for humans, too. “Green spaces aren’t just for birds and bees,” says Pickering. “Native gardens and their calming environments provide important health and wellbeing benefits for all of us.”
Professor Catherine Pickering is a prolific researcher on human nature interactions, from community gardens to national parks. She teaches Botany and Urban Ecology, chairs the Griffith Biodiversity Working Group and champions biodiversity across Griffith’s campuses and on social media. Read more about how she’s helping to turn Griffith into a haven for butterflies, bees and birds.
Image captions (top to bottom):
- Catherine Pickering with students identifying plants.
- Professor Catherine Pickering with the endangered Phaius australis (southern swamp orchid), Australia’s largest terrestrial orchid, captured just outside the Gold Coast campus library in September, when hundreds of these remarkable flowers bloom. One of 23 threatened plant species found across the campus.
Published 30 April 2026
Sustainable Development Goals
Griffith University is aligned with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is committed to taking action on climate change and preserving terrestrial ecosystems, working toward a more sustainable and biodiverse planet for the benefit of all.
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