VIU's Milner Gardens Designated a 'Canada 150 Garden Experience'

150 gardens across the country were jury-selected to honour Canada’s 150 birthday – and VIU’s Milner Gardens and Woodland is one of them

In celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday, Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Milner Gardens & Woodland was recently selected as an official Canada 150 Garden Experience at the North American Garden Tourism Conference in Toronto.

The designation, awarded by the Canadian Garden Council in collaboration with the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association, highlights Milner Gardens & Woodland on a website celebrating Canada’s Garden Route. The website encourages Canadians and tourists from around the world to explore some of the finest examples of ornamental horticulture the country has to offer.

“As the 2017 garden-visiting season commences, we can’t think of a better honour with which to celebrate the birthday of Our Home and Native Land than being named a Canada 150 Garden Experience,” said Geoff Ball, Executive Director of Milner Gardens & Woodland. “We look forward to playing our part as visitors from across the country and the world prepare to experience the beauty and unique attractions we showcase here at Milner Gardens.”

Alexander Reford is President of the Canadian Garden Council, which is a national association representing provincial and national garden organizations.

“Canada has a long-standing garden culture, from First Nations gardens that were here long before settlers arrived to the enormous variety of gardens that every culture has brought to this country since Confederation. Gardens – from modest kitchen and community gardens to celebrated botanical and public gardens – have played a role in defining and developing our Canadian aesthetic and quality of life,” said Reford.

The designation comes on the heels of another prestigious honor. Milner Gardens & Woodland was chosen as one of 10 Amazing Places within the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Reserve (MABR). The Amazing Places Project connects people with nature in Canada’s UNESCO biosphere reserves and was brought to BC through a collaboration between MABR, VIU and Parksville Qualicum Beach Tourism.

Milner Gardens & Woodland sits on 70 acres of unspoiled natural beauty on the edge of an ocean-side bluff overlooking the Strait of Georgia. It is supported by the Milner Gardens & Woodland Society and VIU. To find out more about the gardens and coming attractions, please go to Milner Gardens & Woodland.

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Dane Gibson, Communications Officer, Vancouver Island University


P: 250.740.6288 | C: 250.618.7296 | E: Communications@viu.ca |  T: @viunews