Our Progress to Date
The idea of having a botanical garden at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) was first discussed at a meeting between Anne Martin and Geoffrey Weller, the newly appointed president of UNBC in early 1991. The first conceptual drawings of UNBC’s Campus indicate the location of a “future botanical Garden”.
The David Douglas Botanical Garden Society’s name is in honour of David Douglas (1799-1834) who was born in Scone Scotland. At the age of 10, he began his horticultural apprenticeship. He was appointed, by age 24 to Horticultural Society of London on recommendation of Dr. W. J. Hooker. He was appointed to collect information and plant material in Eastern United States when in the spring of 1833 Douglas ventured from Ft. Vancouver to Fort. St. James.
2006
- The PG Rotary clubs receive funding approval for their pavilion.
- The Society’s Executive Committee prepares materials to present to major sponsor(s) to acquire funds for the completion of the Display Garden Courtyard and areas.
- The Education Committee presents their first program at Seedy Saturday.
- Marketing and Promotion book finished (1st Edition
2005
- The Society presents the first winter garden tour.
- Receive a grant from the PG Community Foundation to assist with installation of electrical and irrigation works.
- The Sustainable Landscaping Initiative receives approval and the Society is informed that it is one of the partners in a complex project.
- The PG Rotary clubs propose a pavilion for the Northern Lights Terrace pending funding approval.
- Revised Terms of Reference for each committee approved by the Board.
- The Alice Wolczuk Memorial Award winner is Terry McClymont, of REAPS - The Recycling and Environmental Action Planning Society.
- A major project completed to acquire an irrigation water source, install a distribution irrigation water main and install electrical conduit for future expansion of irrigation and electrical services.
- The Society takes on operation and management of the city wide Garden Contest with financial support from Royal LePage, Prince George.
- The Society erects a new sign on the Educational Display Garden Site.
- The Society nominated by the Prince George Chamber of Commerce for the Green Award along with two other Prince George organizations. The Society wins the award after voting by Chamber members.
- The Society designs, produces and sells a Calendar featuring Prince George Gardens.
- The Society Executive proposes to the Board the formation of an Education Committee. The Board approves of the Committee and elects a member to the Board and as Chair of the Education Committee.
- Membership – 252
2004
- The Society becomes a beneficiary of R.E.A.P.S. P.I.G. project – Partners In Greening.
- The Society provides written supported to the Sustainable Landscaping Initiative of UNBC’s Prof. Annie Booth and Prof. Eric Rapaport.
- The Alice Wolczuk Memorial Award established. The intent of the award recognizes members of the community who make a significant contribution in the field of horticulture. The first award winner is Jovanka Djordjevich, a founding member of Prince George Community Gardens.
- The Society’s website receives a new look and a new webmaster.
- The Society approached by two Librarian Students, Vaunda Dumont and Mary Bertulli from the College of New Caledonia who require a final project for their course. The Society’s library and archives fit the course requirements so the Society accepts their help. As a result, the Society has a newly cataloged library and an outline on how Archiving for the Society’s material is to be handled.
- Membership - 226
2003
- The Society entered into a Botanical Gardens Contract with UNBC to define the relationship between the organizations.
- Native Plant Seed from Symbios Research & Restoration broadcast in the wetland took place in June. The Society is starting to see the results.
- Approximately 85 trees and shrubs planted in end view vista.
- The College of New Caledonia constructed a shed for the Society. The shed was a class project for the construction class.
- The Society approached by Northern Health Authority to have an event organized for lower income seniors that would provide a means to have the seniors out in the community. A Seniors Bus Tour of private gardens organized by the Society started as an annual event. This event is sponsored by Janet Curry of Canadian Tire, Ladies of the Moose and Pacific Western Transportation.
- The Society has a static display at the Prince George Exhibition. The display is an annual event.
- The Society starts ongoing support to Communities in Bloom.
- Alice Wolczuk, born June 12, 1920, died August 8, 2003. Alice was a major source of plants and advice for Prince George residents. She believed that great benefits would accrue from a botanical garden at UNBC.
- Seven Swiss Stone Pines from the Experimental Farm planted in the Educational Display Garden site with the help of funding from the PG Community Foundation.
- The Society presents a slide presentation and reading by Chris Czajkowski, author of Snowshoes & Spotted Dick - Letters from a Wilderness Dweller.
- Membership - 206
2002
- Planting around the wetland area starts with 160 shrubs, 75 native dogwood and willow whips and 444 potted native perennials planted. Cory Arnfeldt, a UNBC student assisted with layout, the selection of plants and the planting.
- The Society supports UNBC student Patrick Lucas and project partner Emily Hansen with a rooftop greening program. A garden is planted on the second floor balcony at Prince George City Hall.
- The Society’s library and archival collection moved to The Exploration Place.
- Membership - 202
2001
- Dawn Brockington contracted to redesign the detail drawings of Display Garden due to the redesigned detention ponds and area.
- The Dendrology Class of College of New Caledonia prepared a deciduous tree database for the Society.
- UNBC installs sandy loam and river rock in wetland area of the first detention pond.
- Bark mulch laid on the bank between entry courtyard area and rough grade path around wetland.
- The Board reviewed and updated the Strategic Plan.
- Membership - 219
2000
- The Society published: “From the Ground Up: A Horticultural Guide to North-Central BC” by Barb Rayment. It is out of print. The Society received funding and support from BC Investment & Agriculture and the Prince George Regional District for development and publication of the Guide.
- The Society’s Web site is started - www.ddbotgarden.bc.ca.
- Geoffrey Weller, born January 25, 1942, Tonbridge, Kent, England, died July 22, 2000. Geoffrey was a great supporter of the Society as UNBC President and in retirement.
- UNBC reconstructs the detention ponds. The three ponds replaced with two ponds with a liner.
- The Society continued with the lecture series. Lectures held at the College of New Caledonia and UNBC. The lecture series ran until 2003.
- Membership - 169
1999
- For the Winter Cities Conference held in February, the Society brought in David Galbraith, Co-ordinator, Canadian Botanical Conservation Network as a guest speaker.
- The three detention ponds at the site of the Educational Display Garden re-engineered due to technical difficulties with the storm drains.
- The Iris bed moved to the east side of the Student Services Centre due to reconstruction of the detention ponds. Excess Iris bulbs sold at the spring plant sale. The collection was lost due to extreme climatic conditions.
- In celebration and commemoration of the bicentennial of David Douglas’ birth on June 25, 1799, the Society planted six Douglas Fir Trees on UNBC grounds.
- The lecture series continued with Bill Young, Secretary Treasurer of the David Douglas Society of Western North America, and Des Kennedy, Author/Broadcaster.
- The Society hosted Peter Amyoony for a St. Patrick’s Day luncheon special fundraiser.
- Anne Martin presented The First Nine Years: A History of the Society.
- Northern Optimist – became a spring, summer, fall, and winter publication.
- Membership - 143
1998
- A bed of hardy geraniums planted adjacent to the Conference Centre entrance.
- John Orlowsky presented a two-year survival review of the Irises.
- Annual Summer Garden Visits started as a benefit of membership. Six to eight members’ gardens visited throughout July and August.
- Northern Optimist – Four issues published.
- Membership - 103
1997
- An Educational Display Garden design competition held. Dawn Brockington was the winner. A set of plans and detailed drawings provided.
- Northern Optimist – Three issues published.
- Membership – 112.
1996
- The Society created Weller Rose Garden in recognition of UNBC’s first President, Geoffrey Weller and his wife Jean. A collection of Explorer roses planted.
- The varieties of Iris planted 1995 in the garden at the front of the original three ponds adjacent to the Agora reviewed by John Orlowsky.
- A contest held to name the newsletter. It became known as the “Northern Optimist”.
- The first annual spring plant sale is held May 25, at the Recycling and Environmental Action Planning Society’s (REAPS) Demonstration Garden.
- The Society received a $500 US donation from FMC to start a Lilac Collection and the funds, as of 2006, have grown to $1093.75 through further private donations.
- Northern Optimist – Three issues published.
- Membership - 82
1995
- The first of three fall plant sales held at UNBC. Jos Van Hage of Art Knapps was a large supporter of the sales.
- Dr. Charles Jago becomes president of UNBC.
- Newsletter – One issue published.
- Membership – 51.
1994
- First Strategic Plan for the Society completed.
- First private garden tours started as a fundraiser for the Society-these ran for four years.
- UNBC Opens its doors August.
- Donna M. Nolan of the Faculty of Natural Resources & Environmental Studies UNBC produced and provided to us a copy of “A checklist of Native Plants in a portion of the University of Northern British Columbia Campus”.
- First Newsletter hits the press.
- Membership – 59.
1993
- The Board embarked on developing a Strategic Plan and Mission Statement for the Society.
- The Society prepares and approves a Mission Statement.
- UNBC provided a storage location within their library for the Society’s Library and archival materials.
- Membership – 29
1992
- First AGM held March 1992.
- Construction of UNBC started.
- Winter Lecture series started and included a number of local speakers.
- Elizabeth Ritch-Krc provided the Society with a copy of her thesis “A Selection of Traditional Medical remedies Important to Contemporary Carrier People in their Treatment of Disease” for our Library/Archives.
- Membership – 23
1991
- The David Douglas Botanical Garden Society (Society) incorporated November 12, 1991. Prince George Savings Credit Union (Integris Credit Union) provided funding to cover the costs of incorporation. The main purpose of the Society was to encourage the establishment of a botanical garden and to promote and carry out research and educational programs.
- Membership - 7
