Do you ever think you know a particular place because you visited it once many years ago, but then return and are pleasantly surprised in your reintroduction? Do you ever think yourself well acquainted with a museum or park, only to be shocked upon revisiting on how it has altered in the years which have passed since that initial visit, often stunned it has developed and improved in your absence?
This happened to me one beautiful July evening when I attended the ‘Branching Out’ event at UBC Botanical Gardens.
Now in its fourth year, Branching Out is a celebration of 2SLGBTQIA+ Pride. It is a wonderful event which aims to create, in the words of the Gardens, “a fun and accessible and community driven event for adults.”
It also acted as the catalyst to get me into the UBC Botanical Gardens after a long absence.
Branching Out was described as “community connection and curiosity beneath the trees.” In attending I was immediately reminded we have one of the best botanical gardens in the country on our doorstep.
The evening started with an informal buffet and socializing around a series of tables displaying plants together with explanations and interesting details about them. Laughter could be heard from every corner. Attendees were encouraged to wear floral attire, and it seemed no one had missed the memo.
The host was UBC horticulturalist Scott Ferguson. Ferguson is supported by employees at the gardens who helped ensure its success this year.
The director of the gardens, Dee Ann Benard, spoke to me of her enthusiasm for the event, which she explained she inherited when becoming director in 2023.
She said Branching Out is becoming increasingly successful. Everywhere I turned there were plants and interesting details about them. Some displays were constructed just for the evening, but many were permanent fixtures.
As stated on their website, the garden’s objectives are: education, research, conservation, community outreach and public display.
I frequently drive past the gates, and this event reminded me that there are a number of easily accessible and unique places on campus I have visited, perhaps years ago.
Many of these places have developed and grown and deserve my attention again. I am sure the same can be said of other places at UBC, for example, the Museum of Anthropology, Pacific Spirit Regional Park, and the Nitobe Memorial Garden.
I have visited all, but to my embarrassment, not in the last five years.
While Branching Out was linked to annual Pride festivities, the gardens hold other events throughout the year. Coming up this fall, there is an Opera Tea in September, and the annual apple festival takes place in October.
The gardens also host regular workshops on topics of interest to gardeners and plant lovers.
Currently, there is a heavy focus on science and environmental stewardship, with an eight-month Horticultural Training Program being offered. A few years ago, the Greenheart Treewalk was created allowing visitors to walk high above the ground amongst the branches of trees with truly awesome views. Who knew? Certainly not me with my blinkered “been there done that” mentality.
The gardens can also be booked for weddings. There is adjacent parking, an extensive gift shop, plant shop, shaded walks and information on everything botanical. It is easy to spend well over two hours exploring. Admission is free for UBC students and staff, and for UNA cardholders.
My visit to Branching Out reminded me that I needed to accept everything changes, and I should be open to exploring my neighbourhood more, even if I have previously visited many of its attractions.
JAYNE SEAGRAVE IS A B.C. RESIDENT AND BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF “CAMPING BRITISH COLUMBIA, THE ROCKIES AND THE YUKON”. SHE WRITES FICTION AND NON-FICTION, AND OCCASIONALLY TEACHES WRITING AND PUBLISHING COURSES.