Royal Botanical Gardens, Ontario
Encyclopedia
Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) is headquartered in Burlington
and also include lands in Hamilton
, Ontario
, Canada
. It is one of the major tourist attractions between Niagara Falls
and Toronto
, as well as a significant local and regional horticultural, education, conservation and scientific resource. On 31 July 2006, Royal Botanical Gardens was selected as the National Focal Point for the Global strategy for plant conservation
(GSPC) by Environment Canada.
The 980 hectares (2,422 acre) of nature sanctuary owned by Royal Botanical Gardens is considered the plant biodiversity hotspot for Canada, with a very high proportion of the wild plants of Canada in one area; is an Important Bird Area according to Bird Studies Canada
; and is part of the Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve. More than 1,100 species of plants grow within its boundaries including the Bashful Bulrush (Trichophorum planifolium) which is found nowhere else in Canada, and the largest remaining population of Canada's most endangered tree, the Red Mulberry
(Morus rubra). Both of these plants are listed as Endangered in Canada under the Species at Risk Act. In 2008, RBG was designated as an Important Amphibian and Reptile Area by CARCNET, the Canadian Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Network.
in the 1930s as a make work project, under the impetus of Thomas McQuesten
. It beautified derelict or undeveloped land in west Hamilton and east Burlington. For instance, a disused gravel pit was turned into the Rock Gardens, by using stone relocated from the Niagara Escarpment. The original vision of the RBG was a mixture of horticultural displays and protected natural forests and wetlands. Formal permission was obtained in 1930 from King George V to call the gardens "Royal Botanical Gardens".
The first Director of RBG, Dr. Norman Radforth, was appointed in 1947 and was a Professor of Botany at nearby McMaster University
. In the early 1950s, Dr. Leslie Laking was appointed as Director and served until the early 1980s. Under his guidance the institution developed into the major entity it is today. With approximately 1,100 ha (2,700 acres) of property, Royal Botanical Gardens is one of the largest such institutions in North America. In 2006 the Auxiliary of RBG published Love, sweat and soil: a history of Royal Botanical Gardens from 1930 to 1981 authored by Dr. Laking.
and then in the 1940s by the Province of Ontario. By the early 1980s funding restrictions and the desire to become increasingly self-supported led to charging of an admission fee for the cultivated garden areas. The extensive system of nature trails, more than 20 kilometres (12 mi) in length, has remained accessible free of charge. As of 2006, approximately 40% of RBG's annual budget comes from support from the Province of Ontario, the City of Hamilton and the Region of Halton. The remainder, 60%, is classed as 'self-generated revenue' and is raised annually from admissions, memberships, donations, summer camps, and fees-for-service.
An organized volunteer group of more than 300 members called the RBG Auxiliary supports the efforts of the RBG. Annually the Auxiliary raises tens of thousands of dollars, and donates tens of thousands of hours in such roles as tour guides, staffing the RBG Library and RBG Archives, and some gardening.
, and a building in the RBG Arboretum, Rasberry House, is the headquarters of The Bruce Trail Conservancy. In 2010, the RBG partnered with Geotrail
to bring their trail network to the internet through an interactive website.
The natural lands or nature sanctuaries of Royal Botanical Gardens include some of the most significant wildlife and native plant areas in Canada. The largest area, which includes the wetland called Cootes Paradise
or Dundas Marsh, is a major spawning area for native fish species in Lake Ontario
, one of the best bird-watching areas in Canada, and is the subject of one of Canada's largest ecological rehabilitation efforts aimed at a wetland, 'Project Paradise.'
The Royal Botanical Gardens holds the second-largest garden show in Canada simply called The Ontario Garden Show. It comes second only to Canada Blooms which is held in Toronto.
Innovative educational programs are operated from both RBG's main building in Burlington and the Nature Interpretive Centre, located in the Arboretum to the north of Cootes Paradise. Over 18,000 school children per year visit the organized school programs, and over 200 public education offerings include such diverse topics as botanical illustration, organic cooking and basic botany. Aldershot School
offers an ECO Studies program in conjunction with the RBG.
Royal Botanical Gardens is a member of the American Public Gardens Association
and Botanic Gardens Conservation International
and is very active in local, regional, national and international efforts to conserve plant diversity and ensure its sustainable use.
The Gardens span Bayview Junction
, hosting several popular locations for railfan
ning.
Burlington, Ontario
Burlington , is a city located in Halton Region at the western end of Lake Ontario. Burlington is part of the Greater Toronto Area, and is also included in the Hamilton Census Metropolitan Area. Physically, Burlington lies between the north shore of Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment...
and also include lands in Hamilton
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It is one of the major tourist attractions between Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Niagara Falls is a Canadian city on the Niagara River in the Golden Horseshoe region of Southern Ontario. The municipality was incorporated on June 12, 1903...
and Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, as well as a significant local and regional horticultural, education, conservation and scientific resource. On 31 July 2006, Royal Botanical Gardens was selected as the National Focal Point for the Global strategy for plant conservation
Global strategy for plant conservation
The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation is a program of the UN's Convention on Biological Diversity. The GSPC sought to slow the pace of plant extinction around the world by 2010. The GSPC began as a grass-roots movement in 1999 with discussions at the 16th International Botanical Congress in...
(GSPC) by Environment Canada.
The 980 hectares (2,422 acre) of nature sanctuary owned by Royal Botanical Gardens is considered the plant biodiversity hotspot for Canada, with a very high proportion of the wild plants of Canada in one area; is an Important Bird Area according to Bird Studies Canada
Bird Studies Canada
Bird Studies Canada is Canada's national bird conservation organization.-Summary:The organization began as the Long Point Bird Observatory in 1960, changing its name in 1998 to reflect the growing national scope of its research programs...
; and is part of the Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve. More than 1,100 species of plants grow within its boundaries including the Bashful Bulrush (Trichophorum planifolium) which is found nowhere else in Canada, and the largest remaining population of Canada's most endangered tree, the Red Mulberry
Red Mulberry
Morus rubra, commonly known as the Red Mulberry, is a species of mulberry native to eastern North America, from Ontario and Vermont south to southern Florida and west to southeast South Dakota and central Texas...
(Morus rubra). Both of these plants are listed as Endangered in Canada under the Species at Risk Act. In 2008, RBG was designated as an Important Amphibian and Reptile Area by CARCNET, the Canadian Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Network.
History
Initial sections of the RBG were built during the Great DepressionGreat Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
in the 1930s as a make work project, under the impetus of Thomas McQuesten
Thomas McQuesten
Thomas Baker McQuesten was a Canadian athlete, militiaman, lawyer, politician and government appointee who lived in Hamilton, Ontario....
. It beautified derelict or undeveloped land in west Hamilton and east Burlington. For instance, a disused gravel pit was turned into the Rock Gardens, by using stone relocated from the Niagara Escarpment. The original vision of the RBG was a mixture of horticultural displays and protected natural forests and wetlands. Formal permission was obtained in 1930 from King George V to call the gardens "Royal Botanical Gardens".
The first Director of RBG, Dr. Norman Radforth, was appointed in 1947 and was a Professor of Botany at nearby McMaster University
McMaster University
McMaster University is a public research university whose main campus is located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is located on of land in the residential neighbourhood of Westdale, adjacent to Hamilton's Royal Botanical Gardens...
. In the early 1950s, Dr. Leslie Laking was appointed as Director and served until the early 1980s. Under his guidance the institution developed into the major entity it is today. With approximately 1,100 ha (2,700 acres) of property, Royal Botanical Gardens is one of the largest such institutions in North America. In 2006 the Auxiliary of RBG published Love, sweat and soil: a history of Royal Botanical Gardens from 1930 to 1981 authored by Dr. Laking.
Financial
Funding for the institution was initially provided largely by the City of HamiltonHamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
and then in the 1940s by the Province of Ontario. By the early 1980s funding restrictions and the desire to become increasingly self-supported led to charging of an admission fee for the cultivated garden areas. The extensive system of nature trails, more than 20 kilometres (12 mi) in length, has remained accessible free of charge. As of 2006, approximately 40% of RBG's annual budget comes from support from the Province of Ontario, the City of Hamilton and the Region of Halton. The remainder, 60%, is classed as 'self-generated revenue' and is raised annually from admissions, memberships, donations, summer camps, and fees-for-service.
An organized volunteer group of more than 300 members called the RBG Auxiliary supports the efforts of the RBG. Annually the Auxiliary raises tens of thousands of dollars, and donates tens of thousands of hours in such roles as tour guides, staffing the RBG Library and RBG Archives, and some gardening.
Attractions
Other attractions at RBG include the Arboretum, the RBG Herbarium, the Nature Interpretive Centre (an outdoor education centre), a network of over 37 km of trails and outdoor floral arrangements. Some of the trails link to the Bruce TrailBruce Trail
The Bruce Trail is a hiking trail in southern and central Ontario, Canada.-General:The trail follows the edge of the Niagara Escarpment, one of the thirteen UNESCO World Biosphere Reserves in Canada, for almost...
, and a building in the RBG Arboretum, Rasberry House, is the headquarters of The Bruce Trail Conservancy. In 2010, the RBG partnered with Geotrail
Geotrail
Geotrail is a Canadian online mapping company that promotes hiking and outdoor education through interactive online tools that help users plan their recreational experience.-History:...
to bring their trail network to the internet through an interactive website.
The natural lands or nature sanctuaries of Royal Botanical Gardens include some of the most significant wildlife and native plant areas in Canada. The largest area, which includes the wetland called Cootes Paradise
Cootes Paradise
Cootes Paradise is the largest wetland at the western end of Lake Ontario, on the west side of Hamilton Harbour. It is bordered by the cities of Hamilton and Burlington, Ontario, Canada. It is owned and managed by the Royal Botanical Gardens , a private charitable status organization. These lands...
or Dundas Marsh, is a major spawning area for native fish species in Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded on the north and southwest by the Canadian province of Ontario, and on the south by the American state of New York. Ontario, Canada's most populous province, was named for the lake. In the Wyandot language, ontarío means...
, one of the best bird-watching areas in Canada, and is the subject of one of Canada's largest ecological rehabilitation efforts aimed at a wetland, 'Project Paradise.'
The Royal Botanical Gardens holds the second-largest garden show in Canada simply called The Ontario Garden Show. It comes second only to Canada Blooms which is held in Toronto.
Innovative educational programs are operated from both RBG's main building in Burlington and the Nature Interpretive Centre, located in the Arboretum to the north of Cootes Paradise. Over 18,000 school children per year visit the organized school programs, and over 200 public education offerings include such diverse topics as botanical illustration, organic cooking and basic botany. Aldershot School
Aldershot School
Aldershot School, also known as Aldershot High School, is a grade 7-12 school located in the Aldershot community in the south-western corner of Burlington, Ontario...
offers an ECO Studies program in conjunction with the RBG.
Royal Botanical Gardens is a member of the American Public Gardens Association
American Public Gardens Association
The American Public Gardens Association is an association of public-garden institutions and professionals primarily in the United States and Canada....
and Botanic Gardens Conservation International
Botanic Gardens Conservation International
Botanic Gardens Conservation International is a plant conservation charity based in London, England. It is a membership organisation, working with 800 botanic gardens in 118 countries, whose combined work forms the world's largest plant conservation network.Founded in 1987, BGCI is a registered...
and is very active in local, regional, national and international efforts to conserve plant diversity and ensure its sustainable use.
The Gardens span Bayview Junction
Bayview Junction
Bayview Junction is a major railway junction in southern Ontario Canada. It is located at the intersection of three of the nation's busiest rail lines and is a popular location for railfanning....
, hosting several popular locations for railfan
Railfan
A railfan or rail buff , railway enthusiast or railway buff , or trainspotter , is a person interested in a recreational capacity in rail transport...
ning.
See also
- List of attractions in Hamilton, Ontario
- List of Canadian organizations with royal patronage
- List of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in Canada
- Green Fleet Expo