Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria's Branch Out program a natural antidote for seniors

And now a new initiative from Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria aims to welcome more seniors into Melbourne and Cranbourne Gardens with a series of special events and activities.

From nature-inspired paper sculptures to talking trees, the Reach Out program includes health and wellbeing experiences, sensory workshops, indigenous teachings and garden tours aimed at enhancing the health and wellbeing of older people. It includes special access to some of the country's finest horticulturalists and plant researchers.

Aimed exclusively at people aged 60 and over, the program was initially developed as a partnership with aged care provider Regis Aged Care and is now open to the general public with free and low-cost activities.

In July audiences can enjoy the artistry of internationally-acclaimed paper sculpture artist Ray Besserdin with his new exhibition Paper Landscapes.

Transforming paper - made with cotton, hemp and mulberry - into three-dimensional sculpted pieces, Ray's work explores his fascination with nature.

In a career spanning 30 years and 24 awards, his artworks are prized worldwide. The Path to Gondwana, created for this exhibition, recently won a Gold Medal for Creativity from Mondial Art Acadamie, France.

Ray, who was directly inspired by the Gardens, will also give a public talk revealing some of the methods he used to create his extraordinary artworks.

Also in July, the Gardens' manager of arboriculture Will Jones will lead a walk through the Melbourne Gardens to explore the seasonal changes taking place among the trees during the colder months.

Visitors can warm up after the Talking Trees walk with a botanical-inspired tea.

Next month participants can venture inside the National Herbarium of Victoria with the manager of collections, Pina Milne.

Founded in 1853 by Ferdinand von Mueller - Victoria's first government botanist - the herbarium is the state's oldest scientifc institution and home to the precious State Botanical Collection.

In September, Branch Out participants can try Forest Therapy - a wellbeing practice that immerses your senses in nature. The method is based on the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku or "forest bathing" and is a guided experience set among the majestic trees of Melbourne Gardens.