Immerse students in hands-on, nature–based learning experiences with the UBC Botanical Garden Schools Program! This initiative connects classroom concepts to real-world environmental science.
New for the 2025/2026 school year, UBC Botanical Garden Schools Program’s goal is to increase our impact in local school communities and provide access to children and youth by working with school districts, teachers and students to complement their formal learning experiences with fun and curriculum connected nature-based programming.
UBC Botanical Garden believes that fostering connection with nature is vital for holistic development of children and youth. Through immersive, experiential learning, students from K- 7 and 8- 12 can cultivate a deep appreciation for the natural world, develop critical thinking and mentorship skills, and build a sense of responsibility for environmental stewardship.
Our field trips are aligned with B.C.’s current curriculum learning standards, with curriculum connections to Garden programming available here. Designed for elementary and secondary schools, these experiences emphasize science, sustainability, climate action, and place-based learning. As part of the Faculty of Science at UBC, we deliver ecology and environmental education grounded in scientific inquiry and local context. Sustainability is a core theme across our tours, and programs introduce students to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a framework for understanding global challenges through local action.
Program Opportunities
Guided K-12 School Tour around UBC Botanical Garden
Guided Schools Field Trip in the Garden are an immersive 60–minute nature-based experience including interactive activities, and a variety of topics such as native plants, biodiversity, climate change, ecology, botany and science, all curriculum aligned k-12.
Teachers can select their preferable hands-on activity from the list below and also request a topic to focus on according to your classroom studies and interests. Please indicate in the booking form comment box: your content of interest to focus us, grade(s), and your preferred interactive activity,
- The Cedar Tree and Friends Scavenger Hunt (BC Rainforest) available All Seasons
- Native Berries Scavenger Hunt (BC Rainforest) available only on Spring
- Orchard Apple Tour (Food Garden) available only on Summer
- Pollinators Explorers (Food Garden) Available on Spring and Summer
- Wellbeing and Sensorial Bingo (Nitobe Garden) Available on Spring and Summer
Guided K-12 School Tour on the Greenheart TreeWalk (located within UBC Botanical Garden)
Guided School Tours offer a 60-minute adventure high in the forest canopy. The Greenheart TreeWalk is an aerial trail system that allows students to explore the upper layers of the forest and experience this unique environment from a new perspective.
During the tour, students will discover the diverse ecosystems that thrive above the forest floor, explore themes of sustainable eco-tourism, identify local tree species, and learn about First Nations’ cultural uses of plants. They’ll also find out how the forest canopy provides habitat for many woodland creatures, including bald eagles, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, and owls, and how forest plants have long been used as traditional medicines and food sources.
Find out more HERE.
Bursary Opportunities
The Schools Program at UBC Botanical Garden is committed to reducing barriers and ensuring that all children, youth, and educators can access meaningful, nature-based learning experiences.
With the generous support of our Schools Program donors, bursaries are available to help school groups participate in our programs, including subsidies for program admission and transportation.
If financial support would help your class visit the Garden, we warmly encourage you to apply. Please complete our bursary application form HERE to request admission or transportation support.
We are actively reviewing the applications now. Applications close on March 30th, for the 2026 year.
Teachers Professional Development Days Sessions
Professional development sessions for teachers and educators, curriculum aligned from local to global frameworks. An opportunity for educators to engage with UBC Botanical Garden team and partners, professionals and other teachers interested in integrating experiential environmental learning to their students.
Join us for this upcoming Teacher Professional Development Day, integrating practical gardening skills and experiential learning with the principles of place- based learning
Register here!
Who: Metro Vancouver Teachers, Grades K-7 and 8-12
When: Friday, February 13th, 2026, from 8:45 am to 3:15 pm
Where: UBC Botanical Garden, 6804 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC
What: Participants will plan, design, and apply gardening skills grounded in biocultural diversity and place-based sustainability practices from the UBC Garden to your school garden. Through guided exploration of the Medicinal and Food Gardens, teachers will engage in nature journaling, learn approaches to planning and designing a school garden, and take part in a hands-on workshop by Linda Layne, Food Garden horticulturist, focused on planning garden beds and transplanting seedling plants.
Why: During this full day of professional development at the Garden, you will feel equipped with the necessary tools to take concrete actions by holistically integrating the environmental learning principles right into your school gardens. Our goal is to make you confident and ready to implement sustainable, curriculum-connected garden practices in your school.
Cost: $100.00, includes admission to UBC Botanical Garden, hands-on workshop, handout package, catered lunch (more details to follow).
Join us to this upcoming Teacher Professional Development Day, in this unique collaboration within Museum of Anthropology (MOA) and UBC Botanical Garden!
Explore the intersection of nature, culture, and education during a full-day professional development experience at UBC!
What: Begin your journey at the UBC Botanical Garden with immersive behind-the- scenes tours, experiential learning and collaborative discussions that highlight nature-based teaching and learning. Discover how the Garden’s programs—ranging from TreeWalk tours to classroom resources and workshops—can enrich your teaching practice. Enjoy a provided lunch and networking break in the Garden before transitioning to the Museum of Anthropology. There, follow your connections through a condensed tour of cedar belongings at MOA. Teachers will learn about MOA’s school programs, and the pedagogies that MOA educators employ during guided visits, feature workshops, and other educational offerings. The day concludes with a cedar-twining workshop led by renowned Musqueam weaver Vivian Mearns Notaro.
When: Friday, October 24th, 2025, from 8:45 am to 3:15pm
Where: UBC Botanical Garden, 6804 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC (Morning) and Museum of Anthropology, 6393 NW Marine Dr, Vancouver, BC (Afternoon)
Who: Metro Vancouver Teachers, Grades K-7 and 8-12
Cost: $100.00, includes admission to UBC Botanical Garden and MOA, and catered lunch (more details to follow)
Learn More Here!
Workshops K-12
Boost your students’ interest and connection to nature and people through our Schools Program Workshops in the Garden! Our themed hands-on eco adventure.
Topics Covered: Birds Biodiversity and Conservation, Science
Description (what): Students will fly their curiosity observing birds' behaviour, sounds and watching them in their natural local habitat! This adventure engages students in the birder's scientific community and develops their skills in observation, identification while learning about birds' biodiversity, migration, and conservation.
Learning Goals
- Identify local and migratory birds in the Garden
- Develop observational skills in birds and journaling
- Foster connection with scientific birds' community, and environmental stewardship
What: Through the lens of apple diversity, your classroom will have a unique free hybrid learning experience! The Hybrid Apple Diversity Workshop invites K–7 and 8-12 teachers and students across Metro Vancouver B.C. to join us in three online sessions. The workshop includes provided teachers led activates, all curriculum aligned. Explore local and native apples diversity and grow students' connections to science and nature. Inspire your classroom through apples experiential learning, such as plant science, nutrition, gardening, sustainability and conservation, environmental stewardship, and First Nations knowledge—choose your classroom activities adventure to extend their learning opportunity.
When: October 1st to 15th, 2025
Where: Online sessions: October 1st, October 8th, and October 15th
Stream Time: Grades K-7 at 9:10 am/ Grades 8 -12 at 10:15 am
Activities provided to be led by the classroom teacher at school ground
Who: Metro Vancouver Schools, Grades: K-7 and 8-12
Cost: Free!
Learn More Here!
Interested in booking a field trip or group tour for your class? Please fill out our online booking form HERE.