Case Studies

Inspired by Investing in Nature, HSBC in Australia partnered with the Botanic Gardens Trust to establish the Towards Sustainable Horticulture (TSH) programme in 2003. The programme was designed to demonstrate environmental leadership in horticulture and land management by improving the understanding of water conservation, soil care, weed and pest management and developing best practice for activities in these areas. Initially planned for three years, the project was extended in 2007 to run at least through to 2009 with an additional donation of nearly US$80,000 (covering the three years).

The four estates of the Botanic Gardens Trust spread across three sites in greater Sydney:

• the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Domain, both in the city of Sydney;
• Mount Tomah Botanic Garden in the Blue Mountains;
• Mount Annan Botanic Garden in Campbelltown.

By pursuing key environmental principals, the TSH project enhanced individual and community well-being by protecting biological diversity and maintaining essential ecological processes as well as supporting the Botanic Gardens Trust. In addition to developing best practice, TSH also supplemented existing educational materials to improve visitor understanding and encourage visitors to implement similar practices in their home gardens.

Implemented best practice systems include:

• Integrated pest management to eliminate pests and diseases without using pesticides harmful to human health or the environment. As part of TSH, the Botanical Gardens Trust has eliminated the use of toxic pesticides in traditional high-use areas and, where chemical content is required, the trust uses low toxicity products;
• A soil management system to ensure soil is protected against toxic residues;
• Processing and re-using 100% of greenwaste (ie prunings, clippings, branches) eliminates landfill contributions. Before this system was implemented, only 10% of greenwaste was reused.

Projects completed in the first three years included:

• Installation of aerators in the main and Koi ponds. These ponds are key visitor attractions in the Royal Botanic Gardens. The ponds did not previously have a filtration system, which resulted in increased levels of pollution and a destabilised aquatic habitat. The new aeration system has significantly improved water quality to create a healthy, stable habitat;
  
  

 
• Installation of capillary matting in Mount Tomah Botanic Garden. Capillary matting is a modern irrigation system designed to minimise water use and increase plant growth. This system reduced water consumption in the nursery by around 25%;
• Opening of 'What's the Big Idea Garden' at Mount Annan Botanic Garden. This garden advocates and demonstrates conservation outcomes in home gardening through the use of recycled or sustainable materials.

Under the renewed partnership (2007–2009), the first significant project has been the installation of a water catchment system – suitable for the residential home at Lion Gate Lodge, a heritage venue in the Royal Botanic Gardens. The system will capture 60,000 litres (15,900 US gallons) per year, enough to provide irrigation for the surrounding gardens. An HSBC-branded interpretation system will explain the new water catchment system to visitors and further encourage water conservation in the home.

The TSH programme also provides an opportunity to combine HSBC's environmental and educational commitments. HSBCkids is a partnership between HSBC and Barnardos, providing support for underprivileged children. During school holidays, children from HSBCkids visit the gardens and participate in a variety of hands-on activities, developing awareness, knowledge and understanding of the environment.

Children from the HSBCkids programme visit the gardens
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