Cultivating Knowledge for 50 Years: A Special Anniversary Lecture Series
Vancouver, BC (March 27, 2025) – This year VanDusen Botanical Garden celebrates its milestone 50th Anniversary. To celebrate, a four-part 50th-anniversary Lecture Series featuring internationally renowned speakers in environmental stewardship, horticulture, Indigenous knowledge and perspectives, and ecological restoration will take place at the Garden and online.
The VanDusen 50th Anniversary Lecture Series will take place throughout 2025, offering people an opportunity to hear from experts and thought leaders who shape our understanding of the natural world.
• May 21: Monique Gray Smith: award-winning author who adapted Robin Wall Kimmerer’s New York Time Bestselling book, Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults and the young at heart. Monique’s lecture weaves Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and Teachings of the Plants.
• July 4: Suzanne Simard: world-renowned forest ecologist, UBC Professor, and author of Finding the Mother Tree – named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world for 2024.
• August 7: Brian Minter & Egan Davis: leading horticulturists who will share their unique perspectives as highly regarded garden educators in this double feature session.
• October 1: Panel of VanDusen Botanical Garden experts who will share their unique experiences at the Garden. Moderators include Stephen Shapiro (Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association Executive Director) and Ema Tanaka (Park Board Garden Director). Panellists include Cynthia Sayre (VanDusen Curator), Marina Princz (Librarian at VanDusen’s Yosef Wosk Library & Resource Centre) Chef Matthew Phillip (Chef at Shaughnessy Restaurant onsite at VanDusen), and Marilyn Goebel (Long-term Garden Volunteer).
“After 50 years as a Botanical Garden we have grown and evolved, but the one thing that remains consistent is the Garden’s ability to bring plant people together” says Chantal Martin, Director of Education and Research at VanDusen Botanical Garden. “Whether you are just discovering a newfound interest in the natural world or you are a gardening expert, this diverse line-up of exceptional presenters is an extraordinary opportunity to learn about unique perspectives in relation to plants and biodiversity.”
Event Details:
• What: VanDusen 50th Anniversary Lecture Series
• When: Dates: May 21, July 4, August 7, October 1
• Where: VanDusen Botanical Garden and online
• Ticket cost: $20 per lecture
• Tickets & Info: https://vandusengarden.org/
• Register for all 4 lecture series and receive a $10 discount. Online and in-person sessions can be combined, but all 4 sessions must be purchased at once. The discount will automatically be applied at check-out. This discount can be combined with a Garden Member discount.
• Members of the the xʷməθkwəyəm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ Nations can attend for free, but must pre-register. Please email learn@vandusen.org to register.
• Bursaries are available for all our education programs including the Lecture Series. Apply here.
• Garden Members receive a 10% discount.
Stay tuned for more 50th Anniversary events and celebrations!
Media Contact
Queeva Murray
qmurray@vandusen.org
236-455-0323
About VanDusen Botanical Garden:
• VanDusen Botanical Garden is a 55-acre oasis in the heart of Vancouver with over 7,500 plant species and varieties from around the world.
• Since opening on August 30 1975, VanDusen Botanical Garden has been a treasured green space in Vancouver, showcasing a diverse collection of plants from around the world.
• VanDusen Botanical Garden is jointly operated by the Vancouver Botanical Gardens
Association in partnership with the Vancouver Park Board.
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