1. Editorial

Dear readers,

The current edition of the Canadian Botanical Gardens Educator’s Network Newsletter is pleased to announce a new venture. As of the next edition, we will join forces with the Canadian Botanical Conservation Network (CBCN) Newsletter. This partnership will allow for a strengthened network and will serve to widen the horizon that we offer our readers. As such, readers will be able to find subject matter relating to plant conservation and biodiversity education and will also benefit from information more scientific in nature from the CBCN Newsletters. We believe that this change will serve as a benefit to all.

At the unveiling of this hybrid newsletter, we will be highlighting the International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22nd, 2007). As this year’s theme is Biological Diversity and Climate Change, we will endeavour to maintain the same focus for our newsletter. We thank you for your loyalty, and we welcome your submissions (articles, event announcements, etc).

Yours sincerely,

Yann Vergriete
yannvergriete@fastmail.fm

2. Shoots with Roots

Educators from Canadian gardens and programs of all sizes are encouraged to contribute activities to the National Outreach Resource Guide for Plant Conservation and Biodiversity Education, to be launched in the end of 2007. The Shoots with Roots program at Milner Gardens & Woodland is an example of a small and young program that has made great impact with its outreach program. Their outreach activity is routinely offered at community events and garden shows, and is also taken to schools when possible.

Recently there was a narrow window of 3 days to take the activity to local classrooms. In 9 hours of student interaction time, 471 students from 21 classes (3 schools) were involved in a hands-on educational opportunity. As students make newspaper pots and plant organic vegetable and native plant seeds they learn about plant systems, processes and values. They also make ‘germination windows’ to watch as they care for the growing plants in their classroom. When ready, the seedlings are used on the school grounds and planted by Shoots with Roots students in the Children’s Food Garden at Milner.

More information on this activity and many more will be offered in the National Outreach Resource Guide for Plant Conservation and Biodiversity Education. This will be a valuable resource for all educators. Please share details of your program activities by contacting Yann: yannvergriete@fastmail.fm

Milner Gardens & Woodland
Qualicum Beach, BC

For information about Milner Gardens & Woodland, please visit:
www.milnergardens.org

3. PlantWatch Nova Scotia

One of the education and community outreach initiatives underway at Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens is through our partnership with the national PlantWatch program. PlantWatch is a joint venture of Nature Canada and Environment Canada's Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network. The purpose of PlantWatch is to involve Canadians of all ages in the observation of our natural world and to help scientists discover how and why plants are being affected by our changing climate.

Volunteers from all provinces and territories make up a network of ‘citizen scientists’ who annually record flowering and leafing times of plants in their local communities. The data from each region of Canada is sent in via the internet or regular mail to a common database. From this data, trends can be seen and conclusions drawn on what effect climate change is having on the plant world.

We are very fortunate in Nova Scotia to have 23 years of historical data from the early 1900s that we can use to compare with the data we collect today. From 1900-1923 school children under the direction of the superintendent of schools, Dr. Alexander McKay recorded over 200 natural events annually. It is our hope that through PlantWatch we will be able to pull kids away from their computers and get them outside watching spring happen as they did at the turn of the century.

Last year the first plant to watch in Nova Scotia was Populus tremuloides, Aspen. It bloomed in Kings County on March 3rd.

Melanie Priesnitz
Conservation Horticulturist

For more information on PlantWatch Nova Scotia visit: botanicalgardens.acadiau.ca/education.html
For information on the national program visit:
www.plantwatch.ca

4. Vestiges of the Plants of Yesteryear in the Heart of the City

Behind the Château Ramezay Museum, in the heart of Old Montreal, the Governor’s Garden stands as a witness to the traditions of natural cultivation and conservation. As such, the species found today are very close to the seedlings which once sprouted in the Governor Claude de Ramezay’s actual garden during the 18th century. In addition to the decorative flowers, grasses, fruit trees and garden vegetables which were cultivated at the time, we can also find the "Three Sisters" – corn seedlings that were sown with beans and squash by the Iroquois. The beans use the corn stalk for growth support, and the broad sheets of squash preserve moisture and prevent weeds from growing.

Inside the Governor’s Garden, the methods used to combat insects, weeds and mushrooms are ecological and respectful of the environment. No pesticides, be it insecticide, weed-killer, or fungicide, are used. For example, in order to protect the plants from insects, the gardener grows plants, such as chives or hyssop, which have a repellent effect. As was the case in New France, the current garden uses natural fertilizers, obtained through composting and incorporating straw into the soil.

Many summer activities are planned for the Governor’s Garden. While certain activities focus on the Garden’s historical aspects, others concentrate on botany and celebrate the diversity of the plants. On July 14th, a handmade soap workshop will be offered for our visitors to perfume their own soap using flowers gathered in the Governor’s Garden. Also, on August 4th, our guests will be able to discover the handcrafted production of vegetable dyeing. The dyers will begin by making a brew, with some of the plants used, such as onion skins, coming from the Governor’s Garden.

For more information please visit our Website (made possible thanks to the assistance of "Investing in Nature: A Partnership for Plants in Canada") www.chateauramezay.qc.ca/jardin/eng/index.htm.

5. A Community Greenhouse at David Thompson Secondary School

The Columbia Valley Botanical Garden and Centre for Sustainable Living together with School District #6 (Rocky Mountain) and David Thompson Secondary School of Invermere, BC are excited about their joint venture to construct and operate a greenhouse on the grounds of DTSS.

This leading edge greenhouse will employ the latest design and energy conservation techniques in its production of organic food for use in the DTSS Chef Training and Career Development programs. The production of native plants for use in regional conservation projects is also of great interest and will provide hands on conservation experience to all users of the greenhouse.

“We see students and community members learning to grow and use healthy foods through this facility and develop life skills that will assist them in all aspects of their lives and professional aspirations from horticulture, sustainable design and construction and entrepreneurship to name just a few examples, says Alison Bell, teacher and Chef Training Program Director at DTSS.

“The Healthy Food Greenhouse fits beautifully with our aims as an organization” says Maureen Thorpe, CVBG & CSL Chair. “Plant conservation, organic horticulture, integration with community groups, engaging youth in meaningful, applied projects, enhancing and highlighting community food security issues – these are at the forefront of our work as a Botanic Gardens and Centre for Sustainable Living.”

Project partners see the greenhouse becoming a significant community asset for the region demonstrating sustainability through green building design, operation and programs, addressing environmental and social needs and offering solutions to challenges that threaten current and future food security for our community and region.

Greg Anderson, School Board Chair enthusiastically endorses the project, "The Board and staff of SD6 is honoured to work in partnership with the CVBG & CSL with a shared commitment to supporting students in making healthy choices and enriching their learning opportunities."

The CVBG/CSL & DTSS invite you to get involved in this exciting project! Our phase two budget is $95,000 with construction planned for fall 2007. Also consider inviting us to give a 30 minute presentation at your organization’s next meeting to learn more about this project and help support the Community Greenhouse Project.

For more information please contact:
David Zehnder CVBG/CSL Executive Director
(250)342-0325
dzehnder@telus.net

Columbia Valley Botanical Garden & Centre for Sustainable Living Office
(250)342-0539

For information please visit:
www.conservancy.bc.ca/CVBG/

6. The Capital Campaign at VanDusen

The VanDusen Capital Campaign will provide the Garden with much needed additional space to promote and instill the importance of plant diversity and the need for its conservation. Through communication, education and public awareness programs presented in new and expanded facilities this message will be delivered to an ever-increasing number of visitors.

Over the past thirty years, the Garden has matured into a haven of stunning beauty; however, the importance of education about the increasingly threatened natural world has become an equal priority.

A capital goal of $20 million has been assessed to rejuvenate facilities to LEED GOLD standard. Through redevelopment, the Garden will be able to:

• Expand its audience
• Improve the visitor experience
• Increase revenue
• Enhance its educational and interpretive programming

Planned components of the Capital Project include:

• New Visitor Centre with an Arrival Hall and a Great Hall, both offering interactive exhibits and horticultural, ecological and conservation information
• Outdoor Garden Galleries featuring sculpture, land art, landscape innovations, traveling exhibits, educational displays and new horticultural introductions
• 5,000 square foot free standing glass and timber Garden Pavilion that will become the Education and Cultural Centre of the Garden

In early 2008 Phase I will begin, bringing an enhanced learning experience to all visitors to the Garden – please come and visit us!

Mary Butterfield
Capital Campaign Director

For information please visit:
Capital Project, A Garden Renaissance

7. Toronto Botanical Garden’s New Leed Silver Certified Building Receives Accolades for its Green Design

Planning to create a landmark devoted to horticulture and the “greening” of Toronto, Toronto Botanical Garden (TBG) completed construction of its new LEED Silver Certified building in December 2005. Since that time it has received awards from the City of Toronto, The Design Exchange and Landscape Ontario for its extensive green design features and water conservation methods.

Highlights of the new facility include a 5,000 square foot fritted glass pavilion topped with an energy-efficient sloping green roof planted with five types of sedum. The new roof has decreased storm-water discharge by 37% and, once drained into a rainwater cistern, it has provided an efficient water supply for the site irrigation system which supports four acres of gardens.

The TBG’s 12 contemporary themed gardens which officially opened in September 2006 where irrigated solely using captured rainwater, drawing no water from the city’s supply in 2006. The new building and gardens are a 21st century example of ecologically conscious design and demonstrates Toronto Botanical Garden’s commitment to offer the public practical solutions for improving air quality, managing storm water runoff and reducing energy consumption through gardening and the greening of the city.

For information please visit:
www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca/