May Intro to Birding

Long-time VanDusen birding guide Jeremy Gordon is back on-site with 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 & 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.

Botanical Drawing and Painting Flowers (Online & In Person)

Improve your drawing skills to capture more realistic depictions of flowers in this four-session series. Instructed by artist and educator Katharine Dickinson, her demonstrations will guide you through various exercises on capturing a flower’s identifying features through line, shape, structure and form and observing critical angles and accurate proportions.

Explore watercolour techniques for botanicals, mixing and matching a flower’s natural colours, and applying washes and dry brush details.

Greater Vancouver Bird Celebration

May is Bird Celebration Month!

From bird nerd to bird curious, there is an event for everyone during Greater Vancouver Bird Celebration.

Check out the events at VanDusen Botanical Garden!

The World of Hummingbirds

Join Carol Matthews and VARC as she takes you on a mesmerizing exploration into the world of hummingbirds.

The world of hummingbirds is a testament to the diversity and wonders of the natural world. There are over 350 different species found throughout the Americas, from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, each with unique characteristics and behaviours. They shine and dazzle; they pollinate and migrate and their unique adaptations and behaviours make them a mesmerizing group of birds that captivate and intrigue researchers and birdwatchers around the world.

FREE: Birding Session with the Feminist Bird Club

Join the Vancouver Chapter of the Feminist Bird Club for a FREE birding meetup at VanDusen Botanical Garden! Julia (she/her) and Daniella (she/her) will lead a bird walk/sit in the Garden as part of the annual Vancouver Bird Celebration. The Feminist Bird Club (FBC) was founded in 2016 with the goal of making birding and the outdoors inclusive and accessible for everyone.

This event offers a mobile birding tour along the Garden pathways, with a seated birding option available for those who prefer to observe from a stationary position within the Garden.

Designing Gardens for Small Spaces (Online)

Let’s have some fun in our small gardening spaces!

Join Janis Matson to discuss and understand the design elements and principles, limitations, and potential when designing and gardening in smaller spaces. This session will focus on best practices and creative ideas that make a small space POP—from plants to hard features to garden accents.

A Visit with O.W.L. (Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society)

This is your chance for a meet and greet with some of nature’s most beautiful birds, offered through the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (O.W.L).

O.W.L specializes in the rescue and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned raptors from all over B.C. Learn about how the birds find their way to O.W.L., how they are cared for, and eventually released back into nature. Participants will also meet the teaching birds up close.  Photo ops are available (no flash please).

Discover Birds at Bloedel

Join a member of the VBGA Education team for this all-ages program to celebrate our feathered friends. Meet the birds of Blodel and discover the biodiversity hidden under the Conservatory dome through a mini-tour and activity!