University of Alberta Botanic Garden explained

University of Alberta Botanic Garden
Alt Name:Devonian Botanic Garden (1959–2017)
Type:Arboreta/Botanic gardens
Location:Parkland County, Alberta
Area:0.97km2
Nearest City:Edmonton, Alberta
Created:1959
Operator:University of Alberta
Visitation Num:70,000 (2018)
Open:May 1 – September 1

The University of Alberta Botanic Garden (formerly the Devonian Botanic Garden) is Alberta's largest botanical garden. It was established in 1959 by the University of Alberta. It is located approximately 3.1km (01.9miles) west of the city of Edmonton, Alberta and 5.9km (03.7miles) north of the town of Devon, in Parkland County.

History

The garden was created in 1959 and established on donated land.[1]

The garden was originally designated the "Botanic Garden and Field Laboratory" of the department of botany at the U of A. In the 1970s, after the garden was severely damaged by floods, a donation from the Devonian Foundation, along with funds raised by the Friends of the Garden, helped to repair the damages, create a system of canals and ponds, construct a headquarters building, and purchase more land. In recognition of the donation, the name was changed to the Devonian Botanic Garden.

The Friends of the Devonian Botanic Garden was founded in 1971 as a fundraising group to support the aims and objectives of the garden.

In conjunction with an enhanced memorandum of understanding signed between the Aga Khan University and the University of Alberta in 2009, the University of Alberta requested the Aga Khan IV to develop an Islamic garden within the grounds. Planning the garden took nearly a decade, and construction lasted 18 months. It was designed by the architectural firm Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects. The Aga Khan garden opened to the public in July 2018,[2] [3] and its Diwan Pavilion was opened in 2022.[4] [5]

Throughout the 2018 season, gardeners completed the planting of over 25,000 new perennials, trees, shrubs, and wetland plants, and add finishing touches on landscaping. The total cost of the Aga Khan Garden was $25 million. The garden is tagged as the "most northerly Islamic garden in the world".[6] [7]

The botanical facility was renamed as the University of Alberta Botanic Garden in 2017.[8] [9] In September 2017, it invested $4.9 million to renovate its front entrance and parking lot.[10] [11]

Features

The gardens extend over 30 hA (80 acres) of 12,000-year-old sand dune shoreline of pre-glacial Lake Edmonton and include an additional 65 hA (160 acres) of natural areas. They are linked to the North Saskatchewan River via the Parkland County trail.

Highlights of the garden include:[12]

As a unit of the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences, the garden is also a site for research, including plant conservation and diversity. A fully digitized herbarium contains a large collection of bryophyte specimens that is used for research and teaching, as well as horticultural plants grown at the garden.

Awards

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: University botanical gardens and arboreta are more than just pretty places. Universityaffairs.ca. June 6, 2018. Moira MacDonald. June 1, 2018.
  2. Web site: Landscape architects journey far in designing Aga Khan Garden. the.ismaili. April 6, 2017 . September 8, 2018.
  3. Web site: Aga Khan Garden set to open southwest of Edmonton. globalnews.ca. June 27, 2018. Caley Ramsay. September 8, 2018.
  4. Web site: Beya . Christiane . November 3, 2022 . The Diwan Pavilion opens at the Aga Khan Garden, Edmonton . October 17, 2023 . Canadian Architect.
  5. Web site: October 17, 2023 . Featuring multiple Islamic motifs and design features, the Diwan pavilion by AXIA Design Associates is a space for meeting, cultural exchange, and celebration . October 17, 2023 . Global Design News.
  6. News: Southam . Greg . Aga Khan officially opens Islamic garden . February 16, 2020 . Edmonton Journal . Postmedia Network Inc . October 16, 2018 . awsfddasd . https://web.archive.org/web/20200216173134/https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/aga-khan-officially-opens-islamic-garden . February 16, 2020.
  7. News: Footz . Jill . The Aga Khan Garden – A sophisticated, stunning oasis . February 16, 2020 . Family Fund Edmonton (Canada) . Aga Khan Foundation . July 21, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200216173731/https://www.akdn.org/geographies/canada?page=16 . February 16, 2020.
  8. Web site: Botanic garden in Devon renamed University of Alberta Botanic Garden. Edmontonjournal.com. March 7, 2017. June 14, 2018.
  9. Web site: New name announced for botanic gardens. Devondispatch.ca. March 9, 2017. Alex Boates. June 14, 2018.
  10. Web site: University of Alberta Botanic Garden parking lot part of $4.9-million makeover. Edmontonjournal.com. September 29, 2017. Juris Graney. June 14, 2018.
  11. Web site: Aga Khan drops $25 million gift on University of Alberta Botanic Garden. Edmontonjournal.com. April 7, 2017. Juris Graney. June 14, 2018.
  12. Web site: Gardens + Attractions. ualberta.ca/botanic-garden. July 25, 2024 . July 25, 2024.
  13. Web site: Green School and Kids in the Garden. Alberta Emerald Foundation. en-US. June 4, 2019.
  14. Web site: Canada's Garden Route - 2014 Garden Tourism Award Winners. www.canadasgardenroute.ca. June 4, 2019.

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