Botanical Drawing and Painting Summer Flowers (Online)

Improve your drawing skills to capture more realistic depictions of flowers. Instructed by local artist, Katherine Dickinson, her demonstrations will guide you through a variety of exercises used to study a flower’s posture and character through line, shape, structure and form, identifying critical angles and accurate proportions.

Experiment with watercolour washes, mixing colours to match the flower’s natural colours and adding dry brush texture markings.

Class: Plants for Pollinators

July 9, 10.00am

Make your garden more attractive to pollinators!

Learn how to plan a 4-season pollinator garden that will provide food and other resources for urban insects, as well as encourage nesting sites for these species in your area.

Join instructors Sangeeta Thomas and Neil Dumont on a walk and talk through VanDusen Garden where they will discuss how to use plants to build a habitat that will support a variety of bees, hummingbirds and butterflies!

July Forest Therapy Walk (In Person)

Discover the regenerative power of body and mind in nature with Kristine Koster, certified Forest Therapy Guide. Inspired by the Japanese tradition of Shinrin-Yoku, forest therapy is the eco-antidote to modern-day stress. Kristine will lead you through a variety of gentle activities in the Garden, all designed to promote relaxation, wellness, and connection.

Learn how the practice of forest therapy boosts immune systems and supports healing. The walk concludes by sharing wildcrafted tea and treats in the Garden.

Wildlife-Friendly Gardening (Online)

Gardens come in all shapes, sizes and types. No matter what kind of outdoor space you have, you can incorporate elements and practices that benefit local wildlife. Learn how to select native plants, avoid invasive species, enhance habitat, and other sustainable gardening techniques and tips.

Bumblebee ID & Walk (In Person)

Certified Master Beekeeper Brian Campbell will cover the basics of bumblebee identification to help you get started on this fascinating adventure while exploring the Garden as a bumblebee reserve.

Bumblebees are critical pollinators for BC native plants. During this walk, you will watch bumblebees at work in the Garden and begin to understand their relationship to flowers.

Easy Ecology Walk at Bowen Island (In Person)

With a focus on plants, explore the native biodiversity on Bowen Island on a gentle walk along shaded forest trails. Led by former VBGA Education Director Gillian Drake, we will discuss our local ecosystems and identify native ferns, trees, and more.

Tour will start at the library, 30m from the ferry dock (no car needed), and will finish in time to board the 1:15 pm ferry back to Horseshoe Bay. Consider making a day of it and visit Bowen’s many cafes, shops and galleries within walking distance of the ferry.

Storytelling & Hula at Bloedel Conservatory (In Person)

Join Poh Tan in this storytelling time to connect with plants at Bloedel Conservatory. In addition to being a scientist, Poh is also a hula dancer who will share connections with specific plants found in Bloedel through storytelling and hula from Hawai’i. Join us to learn a few basic steps of hula and how hula can help tell meaningful stories about our environment.

For this activity, you need to bring a sarong or a cloth that you can wrap around your hips to be able to dance. No previous experience with hula is needed.