After many years of searching for suitable land to locate the Garden, a site was chosen in the spring of 2008. The property was purchased by a Society member, and held for the Society until June 2009, at which time we secured a mortgage and bought the land. We now have a spectacular 40 acre parcel on Mason Road, surrounded by farmland on two sides, a marvelous ravine and creek, and steps away from the public transit lot.

Our Fundraising committee, chaired by Board member Lynne Bogardus and co-chaired by Wendy McDonald and Blane Hagedorn, is tasked with raising $1.5 million to pay off the mortgage and complete the first phases of the Botanical Garden. We have been fortunate to receive major funding from numerous levels of government (Federal, Provincial, Municipal and Regional), and these funds are being used for infrastructure construction. In addition to renovating two existing work buildings, re-establishing site drainage and reducing invasive plant species, this funding will also allow the completion of our first new building, designed by Walter Powell. This building will include meeting space, kitchen facilities, and a rental space suitable for receptions and other ceremonies. See our GroundWork link for frequent updates to this work.

The design for the Garden is on-going. Led by Landscape Architect Patricia Campbell, volunteers are meeting regularly to finalize this design. In addition to the Design team, a group has been formed to begin the long process of plant propagation. We are also forming a Botanical Advisory group, which will be made of experts from on and off coast.

Our membership has swelled to 700, and we are receiving incredible support and encouragement from many areas of the coast. Particularly gratifying has been the generous in-kind and cash donations made by numerous local businesses in aid of our GroundWork project. This Garden will be an economic generator for the coast, offering unique and fulfilling educational opportunities for all ages. We will work hard to conserve and protect rare and vulnerable plant species and demonstrate sound environmental practices. This will indeed become a community treasure, and I’m confident a favourite gathering place for many.

Mary Blockberger, President

SCBGS is a member of Botanic Gardens Conservation International.

Garden Vision

The Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden will be a community treasure, a source of beauty and learning, raising awareness of the importance of plants in supporting all life.

Let's get growing!

Acknowledgements

Development of this web site was made possible with financial assistance from a Direct Access Program Grant through the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.