The Don McNair Herbarium
With a collection of over 14,500 specimens and counting, the Don McNair Herbarium supports research, teaching and community education, while also providing an important source of DNA for Australian native flora.
The initial focus was plants of the Hunter and Central Coast regions, however the Herbarium now includes samples from all over Australia, including angiosperms, gymnosperms, pteridophytes, and bryophytes, as well as botanical books, texts, photographs and sketches.
The Herbarium is the result of more than 60 years’ worth of collecting on behalf of the founder, Dr Donald Livingstone McNair (1920 - 2014), who believed his collection would “be vital in recording environmental and plant changes, particularly in response to climate change”. To this end, Dr McNair bequeathed to the University of Newcastle funds to sustain the Herbarium and to foster postgraduate research in plant systematics.
The University is also grateful for the work and donations of other community members including John Dorman, Dr John C Turner, Phyllis Williams, Barbara Burke, T. Peake and R. Robinson, Pamela Westcott, Val and W Walker.
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Contact
The Don McNair Herbarium
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Faculty of Science
The University of Newcastle
University Drive
Callaghan NSW 2308
Australia
P: +61 02 49 215908
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.