Expanding virtual learning and teaching resources at VanDusen Botanical Gardens for formal and non-formal learning spaces.
The Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association (VBGA) is a non-profit organization that collaborates with the Vancouver Park Board to manage both the Bloedel Conservatory and VanDusen Botanical Garden. Their goal is to help people of all ages understand the importance of biodiversity and to inspire a lasting love for plants and gardens through various programs and services. The VBGA offers educational programs, volunteer opportunities, memberships, and fundraising initiatives to support their mission. In response to the growing interest in environmental education, they provide engaging field trips for students and teachers. Building on a successful project support by Mitacs that created virtual field trips for the Bloedel Conservatory, the VBGA is now working with our returning intern, Poh Tan, to make VanDusen Botanical Garden more accessible to students and teachers, especially those from rural and remote areas who may face challenges such as travel costs and availability of chaperones. Together with the educational team, Poh plans to develop virtual and blended field trips aligned with school curricula for kindergarten to grade 12 students across British Columbia. By partnering with international botanical gardens and environmental organizations, the VBGA aims to create enriching learning experiences that deepen understanding and connection to plants and the environment. This initiative aligns with VBGA’s strategic goals and involves collaboration with educational teams and community stakeholders to offer virtual field trips that explore topics like British Columbia’s coastal temperate rainforest and the effects of climate change on biodiversity. Through these efforts, the VBGA seeks to provide free virtual access to the gardens for classrooms beyond the Lower Mainland, fostering environmental awareness and education among a broader audience.
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