Kelvin Devries brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role of Interim Principal Instructor for the Horticulture Training Program. With an extensive background in both private and public horticulture, Kelvin has 15 years of experience at Botanical Gardens and Arboreta, contributing to a deep understanding of plant care, landscape design, and arboriculture. Kelvin holds formal education in Landscape Design and Ornamental Horticulture, coupled with professional credentials including a Red Seal Landscape Horticulturist designation and ISA Certified Arborist certification. Since 2022, Kelvin has been a valued team member at UBC Botanical Garden, focusing his expertise in sustainable horticultural practices and woody plant management.
Drawing from a rich combination of hands-on experience and formal education, Kelvin is committed to providing students with the practical skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the dynamic field of horticulture.
What are you most looking forward to as Principal Instructor?
I’ve always had the personally philosophy of life long learning. Trying to take in something new each day. Being able to share my passion for horticulture with an eager audience is extremely rewarding. I try to create an environment of collaborative learning, we all have knowledge to share, and creating a space to do that is going to be a wonderful experience. Having worked in the garden prior to this, I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences and knowledge of the garden with the students.
What differentiates the UBC Botanical Garden’s Horticulture Training Program to other programs?
The horticulture training program is absolutely amazing here. It has a small class size, and there’s a lot of hands on experience. What I love about it is that the program gets very in depth and you get a much bigger education and knowledge base out of this program than you would out of other programs which are much shorter and much more condensed.
What kind of careers can students expect out of the Horticulture Training Program?
There’s lots of opportunities for careers from working for local government, municipalities and parks to private companies and building amazing landscapes for people. There’s people that have taken this program and they’ve worked around the world in many different places. The opportunities are endless as to what you can do with having a great education in horticulture.
Can you talk a little bit about the different modules at the Horticulture Training Program here?
The Horticulture Training Program spans 8 months, divided into 4 modules, each building on the previous one. Module 1 covers the basics, including safety and foundational knowledge. Students will learn plant taxonomy, identification, water management, turf and plant care, and plant propagation. Throughout the program, they will also gain practical experience in landscape design and participate in Plant ID classes in each module. This program exceeds the requirements for Level 1 and 2 of the provincial horticulture apprenticeship, providing students with a comprehensive skill set for the horticulture industry.
What kind of facilities and resources do students have access to at the program?
As a student here, you’re not just working out of a classroom. You’ve got access to all the greenhouses, the botanical gardens labs and so much more. It’s a great facility and a great place to learn.