About the Event
Join us for a biodiversity adventure and connect with plants, pollinators and trees through a self-guided nature experience in the beautiful UBC Botanical Garden! Fun for the whole family!
This children-oriented event will take your family ~2 hours and includes a self-guided journey through UBC Botanical Garden and the GreenHeart TreeWalk to find pop-up education stations in the Garden. Activities at the stations will include exploring the forest gardens, discovering food plants, taking time to watch for birds and pollinators and learning about the cycles that sustain our ecosystem.
General
Who can attend FNW?
Everyone is welcome! This includes families from UBC (students, faculty, staff and alumni), UNA, Acadia Park, Musqueam, and other families that live in Metro Vancouver and beyond. The event is geared towards families with kids ages 3 to 12, but the event is fun for everyone. Please note that only children’s tickets receive Kids Nature Kits.
Where does FNW take place?
Family Nature Walk takes place at UBC Botanical Garden at 6804 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4. There are stations set up throughout the Garden at 3 hubs for your family to explore. See a map of the event here.
How much are tickets and what do they include?
Components of the Kids Nature Kits.
Children’s tickets (3-12 years) are $20 plus tax per child. This includes admission to both the Garden and TreeWalk, and a Kids Nature Kit.
Adult tickets are $23 plus tax per adult, with discounted rates for seniors (65+), UBC Card Holders and Non-UBC Students. This includes admission to both the Garden and TreeWalk.
Youth tickets (13-17 years) are $17 plus tax per youth. This includes admission to the Garden and TreeWalk.
What are your cancelation policies?
UBC Botanical Garden does not have the capacity to refund tickets. If the event is cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control, ticket holders will receive a gift card for the value of their tickets that can be redeemed for UBC Botanical Garden and Nitobe Memorial Garden admission and in The Shop in the Garden.
What are Kids Nature Kits?
Each children’s ticket includes one Kids Nature Kit, which are an exciting, family-favourite element of our Family Nature Walk. As your family explores the Garden, children will gather elements of their Kids Nature Kits. Elements include a cotton tote bag, a hand-lens to see nature up close, a children’s book that celebrates the diversity of species across the Pacific Northwest, a map to guide them on their garden adventure, a small snack, animal themed pins, a plant to take home, and a polaroid photo to remember your adventure! The value of these kits is around $40.
A family exploring their new perspective on the TreeWalk (credit: John Lehmann)
What is the TreeWalk?
The Greenheart TreeWalk is a canopy walkway, an aerial trail system that allows people to journey through the upper parts of the forest on a 310 metre-long walkway suspended nearly 20 meters off the forest floor. Its structure enables visitors to explore the flora and fauna that thrives in this lofty environment.
How do I get to UBC Botanical Garden?
UBC Botanical Garden is accessible by car, transit, bike and taxi. For more information about how to get to the Garden, please visit our Hours&Direction page and the Getting Here section.
Event Day
How long will this event take?
The estimated time to complete the program is about about 2 hours. However, this is a self-guided experience, so your family is welcome to stay as long as you wish. UBC Botanical Garden closes at 4:30 pm.
Our staff and volunteers will welcome you to the Garden in the courtyard! (credit: Ben Scheufler)
What do I need to know about event check in?
Please arrive at the beginning of your ticket timeslot. In the main courtyard of the Garden there will be a large tent where you can sign in for the event. The emailed reciept of your ticket will be used to check your family in. Here, children will also pick up the first elements of their Kids Nature Kit.
Can I purchase tickets for the event on the day of?
Yes – tickets will be available to purchase day of, subject to inventory availability.
I’m planning on driving to the event. How does it work?
There is a large parking lot located at the front entrance of the Garden. Parking costs $1.50 per hour, up to a maximum of $6.00. Additional parking is available at Thunderbird Stadium.
What happens if it’s raining?
This event will proceed rain or shine! We have tents and other covered locations throughout the Garden, but please come dressed for the weather. This includes closed-toed shoes, rain gear, sunscreen, a hat, etc.!
How do I find my way around the Garden?
All families will be provided a map of the Garden, with the locations of the 3 activity hubs. There will be signage throughout the Garden to guide your visit, and lots of wonderful staff and volunteers to answer questions and direct you!
Where are the washrooms and water refill stations?
There two washroom locations in the Garden, which you can see on the map you will be provided when you arrive. At or close to those washroom locations, there are also water refill stations. Please remember to bring your reusable water bottles!
Is the event accessible?
Much of UBC Botanical Garden is accessible by wheelchair or motorized cart for guests with accessibility and mobility challenges. However, due to the nature of our garden some pathways are irregularly graded and topped with wood chips or loose gravel.
Please contact us at garden.programs@ubc.ca so we can best accommodate your family.
What food and drink options are available?
In the Food Garden, there will be a small selection of snacks, fruit and juice for families to enjoy during their adventure. There will also be a small selection of sandwiches and snacks available to purchase at the Shop in the Garden.
We recommend that families pack additional snacks or lunch. If you would like to purchase food on UBC Campus, there are several dining options, however they are a 5 or more minute walk away from the Garden.
The following places are open on Saturday. Please check the website to confirm opening hours:
- Bean Around the World UBC open 8:00am to 5:00pm
- Westbrook Village offers a diversity of dining options, see them all here
Who puts on Family Nature Walk?
Family Nature Walk is hosted by UBC Botanical Garden in collaboration with SEEDS Sustainability Program, and is part of a larger, month-long event in May called Biodiversity Days.
Biodiversity Days honours the International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22) with a series of engagement opportunities that aim to celebrate and raise awareness of the fragile species, genes and ecosystems that sustain our communities.
To find out more about other events, click here!
Have other questions?
Contact: garden.programs@ubc.ca