The Community Outreach Program works with community partners to strengthen connections between plants, people, and place through hands-on learning that integrates science, art, and nature. Guided by the vision of creating a Garden for Everyone, the program advances inclusion through community events and access-based initiatives.
Since 2015, the Community Outreach Program has partnered with communities and donors to design and deliver accessible, meaningful experiences for children, youth, and adults.
The goals of this program include:
1. Biodiversity Days & Family Nature Walk
Check out our blog “Reflecting on a Fruitful 5th Annual Biodiversity Days” to learn more about our annual May event series engaging communities in celebrating biological diversity.
Biodiversity Days is an annual event series in May which brings our community together to honour the International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22) and shine a spotlight on the work being done to steward biodiversity in and around our city.
These events aim to raise awareness about the relationship between humans and nature and the fragile species, genes and ecosystems that sustain our communities.
Biodiversity Days aims to:
- Raise awareness of biodiversity and its importance to human and ecological health;
- Mobilize local and global action to stop the loss of biodiversity; and,
- Build a generation of stewards, scientists and citizens that actively protect and restore biodiversity.
Why Biodiversity Days?
Biodiversity is integral to supporting past, present and future communities. Whether it be through food, medicine or cultural or other nature’s contributions to people (NCP) all of us rely on the wellbeing of the planet for our own wellbeing. More biodiverse ecosystems are more resilient ones, but with a global extinction crisis the strength of ecosystems are at risk. Biodiversity Days events provide a unique opportunity to bring our community together to share knowledge and spur action.
Participate in one of our Biodiversity Days events to learn about the work already underway in our community and how you can take action from the ground up.
2. Community Access Passes and Garden Memberships
Access Passes and Garden Memberships are distributed to local organizations that support children, youth and community priorities. These access passes in 2023 and 2024 provided over 200 tickets to 34 community groups and over 600 memberships to local families.
3. Garden and TreeWalk Tours
Tours and Field Trips provide a guided experience for visitors to learn about plants and enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of nature. In 2023 and 2024, the Community Outreach Program hosted over 500 people on 26 tours. Our engaging and welcoming staff and student guides, lead experiences through the Garden designed for individualized connection and learning.
Learn more here4. K-12 Schools Program
New for 2025-2026, the UBC Botanical Garden Education Expansion will increase our impact in local school communities by working with teachers and students. This program aims to increase reach with children and complement their formal learning experiences with fun, nature-based programming.
Learn more here