Courses

Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association is delighted to present free, guided Birding Tours at VanDusen Botanical Garden with our knowledgeable volunteer guides. Tours are free with admission, registration is required as space is limited.

During this leisurely 2-hour tour through the Garden, your small group will look & listen for some of the many resident & migratory bird species that frequent the site, while your guides share their birding skills, enthusiasm, and knowledge.

Expert Thomson Ip will lead this event to explore rhododendrons’ history, cultural significance, and care. You will learn to identify local and international varieties, discover best practices for planting and maintenance, and enjoy a 30-minute guided garden tour to see the rhododendrons at their peak.

This program is perfect for novice gardeners and plant enthusiasts alike.

Enhance your drawing skills and create realistic floral illustrations in this six-session series with artist and educator Katharine Dickinson. Through guided demonstrations, you’ll practice techniques to capture a plant or flower’s defining features—line, shape, structure and colour—while refining your observation skills.

Explore watercolour techniques for botanical art, including colour mixing, layering washes, and adding fine details with dry brushwork.

This series blends online and in-person sessions, offering flexibility and hands-on learning.

On the West Coast, we have the ideal climate and enthusiasm to enhance our gardens and living spaces with container planting. In this online session, we will explore the essential factors that contribute to successful container gardening.

Join horticulturist Janis Matson, to learn expert tips for selecting the right plants, choosing the appropriate container size, type, and shape, understanding soil types and nutrient availability, ensuring proper drainage and root growth, and considering placement and aesthetics.

Join Sangeeta Thomas, VBGA’s Learning Garden Coordinator, in this workshop to explore science-based techniques that demonstrate the effectiveness of common plant pairings. Learn how strategic partnerships can enhance growth, control pests, attract pollinators, and suppress weeds, all while promoting healthier ecosystems.

This hands-on workshop will take place in the new Learning Garden, where participants will engage in planting activities and see examples that inspire confidence in applying these methods in their own gardens.

The class is designed for aspiring and beginner bird watchers to help build a foundation of knowledge and gain confidence to get out and go birding this spring.

Long-time VanDusen birding guide Jeremy Gordon presents this seasonal favourite! During this introductory-level class, he will discuss the best birding resources, such as binoculars and field guides, share tips on identifying local and migratory birds, and highlight hot birding spots around Vancouver. Following a one-hour classroom presentation, Jeremy will take you for a walk to look for some of the 106 species of birds in the Garden.

Join us for a special evening of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives about plants, nature and reciprocity. This Lecture is a unique opportunity to gain an understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing the natural world.

Monique will also share her journey of adapting Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass for young adults, weaving together Indigenous wisdom, scientific insights, and plant teachings, alongside themes of history, social learning, and practical actions.

Featuring presentations by Monique Gray Smith, Suzanne Simard, Brian Minter, Egan Davis as well as a evening with VanDusen’s expert staff and volunteers, join us as we celebrate the past and look forward to the future!

Each talk will be presented both in person and online, and pre-registration is required for both formats.

Join us for a two-session watercolour painting workshop with instructor, Susan Pearson. She will demonstrate techniques using warm and cool colours to create a sense of depth in your paintings.

With VanDusen Garden as the backdrop, participants will produce atmospheric landscape paintings while enjoying the opportunity to paint outdoors.

Perennials play a unique role in our gardens: some provide all-season interest, while others offer a short but spectacular show. During this workshop, facilitated by Allison Luke, the class will explore perennial collections in the Garden and identify standout perennials that are beautiful, low-maintenance, hardy, and disease-resistant.

These perennials can also help create a habitat for wildlife, such as birds and insects. You are sure to discover a few new additions that you will be eager to introduce to your own garden.

Experience the rejuvenating effects of forest bathing, a guided sensory experience designed to help you unwind and reset by connecting you with the Garden’s diverse plant communities and soothing soundscapes. Research by instructor, Dr. Tara Tiger Brown has shown that this mindful Japanese practice is associated with significant improvements in mood, reduced stress levels, and a deeper connection to nature.  
  
During this two-and-a-half-hour session, Tara will guide you through activities designed to enhance your awareness while you enjoy the benefits of social interaction and personal reflection. The practice concludes with tea and time to share experiences and ask questions.  

Long-time VanDusen birding guide Jeremy Gordon presents this seasonal favourite! During this introductory-level class, he will discuss the best birding resources, such as binoculars and field guides, share tips on identifying local and migratory birds, and highlight hot birding spots around Vancouver. Following a one-hour classroom presentation, Jeremy will take you for a walk to look for some of the 106 species of birds in the Garden.

The class is designed for aspiring and beginner bird watchers to help build a foundation of knowledge and gain confidence to get out and go birding this spring.