Our Future
Phase two will encompass the Native Garden and the Northern Lights Terrace. The Native Garden will give us an opportunity to do an extensive planting of indigenous species. These planting and the site will be of great value and use to various programs at the university for teaching and research purposes. Again we are fortunate to have members of our society with extensive knowledge in ethno botany to guide the development of this garden. Input from the faculty at the University will essential to ensure its value for their programs. The Northern Lights Terrace and Wild Flower Meadow below it will be the last garden to be developed. We will incorporate the existing benches into an exceptional site from which one can view our city and the McGregor Mountain.
The development of the 1.1 hectare (2.72 acres) Educational Display Garden will allow the David Douglas Botanical Garden Society, the University and the people of this region an opportunity to continue the botanical exploration David Douglas began 168 years ago. We live in an area that is dominated by resource extraction. It is important to recognize and appreciate the valuable botanical resources we have that can greatly enhance our lives. Research and education in this area, together with the establishment of Educational Display Gardens for the public is observe first hand the successes and failures will begin and sustain the dialogue needed.
Upon completion of this project we plan to move to a larger site to begin development of the main garden site.
What is a Botanical Garden?
The essential element of a botanical garden is the acquisition and dissemination of botanical knowledge. It is not only a landscaped or ornamental garden, although it may be artistic, nor is it an experimental station nor a park with labels on the plants. Each garden naturally develops its own special field of interests depending on its personnel, location, extent, available funds and the terms of its charter.
