For people living with serious or life-limiting illnesses, time in nature can offer comfort, connection and moments of peace. On 9 September 2026, UBC Botanical Garden and the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem Knights Hospitaller (SOSJ) marked an important step in making those moments more accessible.
A small celebration at St. John Hospice marked the launch of a new stage of the Garden Access Project, providing complimentary and private access to UBC Botanical Garden for residents of St. John Hospice, their loved ones and hospice staff.
Making access more welcoming
As part of the project, UBC Botanical Garden improved a key pedestrian route connecting St. John Hospice with the Garden. Improvements included:
- Pathway resurfacing for a safer, more consistent walking surface
- Drainage upgrades to improve pathway conditions
- Accessibility enhancements to support mobility and year-round usability
These practical improvements can help remove physical barriers and make it easier for people with different mobility needs to experience the Garden comfortably.
“We are delighted to welcome residents of St. John Hospice, their loved ones, and hospice staff to UBC Botanical Garden,” said Dee Ann Bernard, Executive Director of UBC Botanical Garden. “In preparation for the project’s launch, we resurfaced pathways, upgraded drainage, and introduced accessibility improvements to support mobility and year-round usability. The project supports the Garden’s ongoing commitment to creating inclusive and welcoming spaces for all visitors.”
Connecting hospice care with nature
The project is based on a simple idea: access to nature matters.
Nature-based experiences can support emotional wellbeing, reduce stress and anxiety, foster connection and provide comfort. Increasingly, nature-based activities are also being explored as a complement to clinical care, sometimes within the broader concept of social prescribing.
For St. John Hospice residents and those who care for them, access to a welcoming natural environment can create opportunities for quiet reflection, time with loved ones and connection beyond the clinical setting.
“SOSJ’s mission is making lives better, and we are delighted to invite residents of St. John Hospice, their loved ones, and staff members to visit this convenient and remarkable natural setting,” said George Higgins, SOSJ Board Director and Hospice Foundation Chair. “Time spent in nature can offer comfort, connection, and moments of peace—benefits that are especially meaningful for people approaching the end of life and for those who care for them.”
A community partnership in action
The Garden Access Project demonstrates what can be achieved when organizations come together around a shared community need.
The initiative is led by SOSJ and UBC Botanical Garden, with collaboration from St. John Hospice, Vancouver Coastal Health, Providence Health Care, Tetra Society of North America and the University of British Columbia.
The project also reflects the contributions of many individuals, including Susan Scott Gabe, Director of Special Projects at the OSJ Palliative Care Foundation, whose leadership helped bring the project to fruition, and Sam Sullivan, Founder and CEO of Global Civic Policy Society, whose support was instrumental in advancing accessibility to the Garden.
Together, the partners hope to demonstrate how stronger connections between hospice care and natural environments can enhance quality of life and inform similar opportunities elsewhere in British Columbia and across Canada.
Inclusion is about creating opportunities to belong
For UBC Botanical Garden, inclusion means more than welcoming people once they arrive. It also means considering whether people can access, navigate and experience the Garden safely and comfortably.
The Hospice Pathway Improvement Project is one tangible example of that commitment.
By improving a key route and creating private access for St. John Hospice residents, their loved ones and hospice staff, the Garden is helping create more opportunities to connect with nature.
It is a practical investment in accessibility, a meaningful community partnership and a reflection of UBC Botanical Garden’s commitment to creating spaces that support health, wellbeing and belonging.
Sometimes, creating a more inclusive space begins with something as fundamental as making sure everyone has a safe and welcoming path to get there.
Help Build, Sustain and Preserve the Garden
Projects like this are made possible through the support of people who believe in the importance of accessible, welcoming and thriving garden spaces. Learn how you can help build, sustain and preserve the work of UBC Botanical Garden.
