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.

This 5 session series will equip you with essential knowledge on growing Chinese medicinal plants and guide you through proper methods for cultivating, harvesting, processing, and using these herbs.

Learn how to grow and use 15 common Chinese medicinal plants, distinguish them from other crops, and understand the factors that influence their quality and therapeutic properties. The course will also explore the history, cultural context, and Eastern perspectives on medicine and health. 

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.

Join Sangeeta Thomas, VBGA’s Learning Garden Coordinator, for this beginner-friendly, hands-on workshop exploring the plants behind the rich and diverse world of South Asian curries.

You’ll learn how to grow the key ingredients used in many curries—aromatic herbs, spices, and vegetables that can grow in Vancouver’s climate. The class will cover simple and useful gardening techniques, including how to create a warmer microclimate to help heat-loving plants grow well in our coastal environment.

Whether you have an in-ground garden, raised beds, or just a few containers, these tips can be adapted for small spaces. You’ll also get hands-on practice planting in a raised bed and leave with the confidence to start your own curry-inspired garden.

No gardening experience needed—just bring your curiosity and love of flavour!