Explore the Beauty of Nature Through UBC Botanical Garden’s Educational Tours
At UBC Botanical Garden, we are dedicated to promoting the understanding, value, and celebration of plants as essential components of a biodiverse world. Our guided walking tours provide visitors with the opportunity to explore our many gardens and connect with nature. During these tours, guides from our Sustainability and Community Programs Team share information about the plants in our collections and their role in promoting biodiversity. Visitors will be introduced to the ways in which these plants support ecosystems, sustain wildlife, and contribute to global environmental health.
Our tours are available for groups of 10 or more and are suitable for all ages. A brief description of our offerings for the 2025 season can be found below, with more information available on our website.
The Greenheart TreeWalk: Our guides can tour your group along our 308-meter-long suspended canopy walkway to learn about the importance of trees in forest health and the critical role they play in maintaining biodiversity. From this elevated vantage point, your group will gain new perspectives on the forest while learning about sustainable conservation practices and the complex relationships between different plant species.
Nitobe Memorial Garden: Our traditional Japanese garden showcases the harmony between nature and Japanese culture, offering visitors an opportunity to reflect and find peace amidst the beauty of carefully selected plants, water features, and traditional landscaping elements. Nitobe Memorial Garden is a wonderful example of how plants and human culture intertwine to create a lasting impact on our emotional well-being.
Garden and TreeWalk Tour: This combined guided experience allows your group to explore the diverse plant collections of UBC Botanical Garden before heading up into the treetops to discover the beauty of the temperate rainforest from a new perspective. This experience is ideal for those looking to explore the relationship between plants, trees, and local sustainability efforts while enjoying a fun, hands-on adventure.
Drop-In Tours: For individuals or small groups seeking a guided experience, our Drop-In Tours offer a perfect opportunity. Our friendly volunteer guides will lead you through the Garden, offering interesting facts about the plants, their origins, and their ecological importance. Drop-In Tours are available at both UBC Botanical Garden and Nitobe Memorial Garden from May to September.
Team-Building Tours: Team-building tours are a one-to-two-hour guided learning experience around UBC Botanical Garden focused on nature-based learning and collaborative problem-solving. Interacting with plants and animals firsthand while learning about climate change, biodiversity, forest ecosystems, and sustainable development allows participants to bridge the perceived separation between humans and nature that is deeply ingrained in mainstream society. We use the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework to explore coastal BC rainforests, food systems, and place-based knowledge. Most importantly, teams have a chance to have fun together outside of the office!
Whether you are here for a tour of the UBC Botanical Garden, Greenheart TreeWalk, or Nitobe Memorial Garden, we invite you to explore our living collections and discover the many wonders of the natural world. By joining us, you are not only exploring the beauty of the garden but also supporting our mission of conservation, education, and sustainable plant stewardship. Together, we can celebrate the importance of plants and work toward a healthier, more biodiverse planet for generations to come.
Written by:
Rhiannon Lewis
Education and Engagement Programming Assistant