What is a botanical garden?
A botanical garden is a living museum and outdoor classroom. It holds documented collections of living plants for research, conservation, display and education. Many botanical gardens also serve as urban havens, providing park-like settings for recreation, entertainment and celebration.
Where does the Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden Society intend to build a garden?
The Society is currently negotiating to secure an option to purchase a 40 acre property in West Sechelt.
Will volunteers be able to work in the garden?
Volunteers are the heart of the garden and play an important role in the garden's construction and operation. Horticulture training will be available to volunteers participating in garden maintenance, plant propagation and seed collection. Other volunteer positions include tour guides, administration, gift shop attendants and event organizers.
How long will it take to build the garden?
Once the property is acquired, the garden will be built in phases over a period of approximately 20 years.
How will the garden be paid for?
The cost of the garden will be shared by benefactors, fundraising campaigns, gift shop and plant sales, special events, horticultural programs and workshops, in kind contributions, government and foundation grants.
Who should the garden serve?
Essentially "everyone" (all ages, Coast-wide, gardeners of all skill levels, local horticultural businesses, visitors, local tourism businesses, garden clubs, local arts organizations, First Nations people, people with disabilities).The Garden will be designed to meet a wide diversity of interests.
What are the potential benefits of the garden?
- learning
- increase interest in gardening
- a unique place
- protection of land and water - model a construction process that has gentle impacts
- a tourist attraction
- increased public exposure to the arts
- accessible public facilities
- increased economic activity
- increased public recreational physical exercise
- horticultural research
- community building
How Will The Garden be Unique?
- Extraordinary design
- Rugged coastal landscape
- Commitment to ecologically sound principles of horticulture
- Ethnobotanical gardens
- Coastal temperate rainforest in its natural state
- A living legacy for future generations
- A community resource that will appeal to a diverse range of interests and be a source of community pride
In essence, the prevailing view is for a broadly-based community resource that will appeal to a diverse range of interests (i.e. very inclusive) and be a source of community pride.