About
The Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association (VBGA) acknowledges that VanDusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory are located on the unceded Ancestral shared lands of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are honoured to be on the lands where these Nations have lived since time immemorial, and where they continue to maintain stewardship and live in balance with nature.
Our work of promoting environmental sustainability and stewardship would not be possible without Indigenous perspectives and knowledge.
The Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association (VBGA) and the City of Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation (Park Board) are joint operating partners for VanDusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory.
Approved Strategic Plan for VanDusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory. Read here!
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+-Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association
The Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association (VBGA) is a charitable not-for-profit, incorporated under the BC Societies Act.
Our mission is to engage people of all ages and walks of life in the importance of biodiversity to our lives, and to foster a lifelong love of plants and gardens by virtue of their participation in our programs and services.
Our charitable tax number is: 119281301 RR0001
Learn more about the Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association here!
- +-Annual Reports
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+-Board of Directors
Board of Directors 23/24
Officers
President – Paul Kluckner
Vice President – Ann-Marie Copping
Treasurer – Christine McCaffrey
Secretary – Susan WitterDirectors
Terry Anne Boyles
Terri Clark
John Coupar
James Harris
Victor Huang
Anna Hicks
Bill Manning
Colleen Nesbitt
Elizabeth Taylor
Angela White -
+-Our History
The VBGA was created in 1966 by a group of gardening enthusiasts keen to see a public garden built on the site of the former Shaughnessy Golf Course. This group advocated and lobbied for the creation of what became the VanDusen Botanical Garden. Opened in 1975, the Garden has always had the VBGA looking out for its best interests.
In 2013, the VBGA extended its relationship with Park Board by also becoming a joint operating partner of the Bloedel Conservatory.
In our 40+ year collaboration, our respective responsibilities have largely stayed the same. Park Board is responsible for the maintenance and management of the facilities and collections at both sites, special events, rentals and marketing; the VBGA is responsible for educational programming, volunteer services, running the library and resource centre at the Garden, the website (vandusengarden.org) and select social media channels, and the membership program.
The VBGA exists as the sum of all its parts. The incredible legacy of the founders of the VBGA and the Garden, and the long history of volunteer hours and financial support have brought us where we are today. We could not do what we do without the passionate commitment from all of us—donors, volunteers, partners, supporters and staff—who believe in the importance of the Garden and the Conservatory.
In 2015, the VBGA board of directors voted to pursue accreditation under the Imagine Canada Standards Program—a set of 73 governance standards that reflect best practice in the areas of governance, financial management, fundraising, volunteer engagement and human resources. To date, more than 200 charitable and not-for-profit organizations across Canada have achieved accreditation.
In keeping with these standards, you will find below some important documents and links that help demonstrate our commitment to governance excellence, accountability and transparency.
- +-Audited Financial Statements