About the Canadian Garden Council

Founded in April 2014, in collaboration with the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA), in order to foster awareness and development of Canada’s garden experience sector, the Canadian Garden Council is a not-for-profit corporation with board representation from all parts of the country. Council membership reflects partnerships among all sectors of the horticulture, public garden, gardening, tourism and associated industries on a regional, provincial and territorial basis, enabling the Council to address the full range of issues facing the garden experience sector.

Our Vision is to champion the garden experience sector’s contributions to the well-being of Canadians, the sustainability of our communities, and to promote the joys and benefits of gardens, gardening, urban and municipal landscapes and living green infrastructure.

Our Mission is to generate development and growth of the garden experience sector by:

  • being the national platform through which garden organizations and organizers come together with common goals;
  • developing programs, resources and services;
  • promoting the role and benefits of Canadian gardens and gardening activities as integral components of our communities and their tourism offering;
  • fostering increased visitation to gardens and participation in gardening activities.

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Being a member of the Canadian Garden Council means:

FOSTERING GARDEN EXPERIENCE DEVELOPMENT

Working together to enable full recognition of the values and benefits garden experiences deliver for Canadians and the communities in which they live.

PREFERRED CONSIDERATION

Preferred consideration for your garden experience vis-à-vis all Council promotions and activities.

NETWORKING

Tapping into a network of like-minded colleagues, allowing conversation between industry professionals about best practices, tips, innovations, emerging trends and all garden experience-related questions.

CONNECTING WITH THE HORTICULTURE INDUSTRY

Being part of the Council is being connected to horticulture industry suppliers and leaders facilitating mutually beneficial partnerships leading to development and growth.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Education and networking opportunities to improve your garden experience management skills by attending Conferences, such as the biennial Garden Tourism Conference, and workshops providing access to information and latest research on the garden experience sector on a national and international basis.

CONNECTING WITH ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES

Being part of the Council is being connected to associated industry suppliers and leaders facilitating mutually beneficial partnerships leading to development and growth.

BEING RECOGNIZED

Recognition through the Council’s various promotions and awards programs.

STAYING CONNECTED AND PLUGGED IN

Ongoing communications through the Council’s quarterly E-News, special news announcements and social media to keep you up-to-date with the latest garden experience sector developments and best practices throughout Canada and on a worldwide basis.

INDUSTRY ADVOCACY

Ensuring representation of your interests with the federal government and various national organizations for the purpose of creating the most supportive policies, programs and activities possible for the development and growth of your garden experience and the sector.

VALUABLE PROMOTION AND VISIBILITY

Promoting your garden experience through partnerships with the tourism industry and their marketing organizations, including the Canadian Tourism Commission and other relevant industry associations.

Membership Benefits:

Existing Benefits for Garden Experience Members

  • Networking and professional development opportunities.
  • Opportunity to upgrade your listing on Canada’s Garden Route to a ‘Featured’ category with strategic web positioning, more descriptive words and more images.
  • Discounted rates for advertising on Canada’s Garden Route.
  • Discounted rates on Garden Tourism Conference registration.
  • Complimentary participation to Garden Days.
  • Participation in Council activities and governance.
  • New partnership benefits that will be presented during the term of membership.
  • Access to benefits for all of your staff via individual membership.

Existing Benefits for Associate Members

  • Networking and professional development opportunities.
  • Discounted rates for advertising on Canada’s Garden Route.
  • Discounted rates on Garden Tourism Conference registration.
  • Complimentary participation to Garden Days.
  • Participation in Council activities and governance.
  • New partnership benefits that will be presented during the term of membership.
  • Access to benefits for all of your staff via individual membership.

Membership Categories and Costs

Garden Experiences Members

  • Gardens (6 employees or more) $400
  • Gardens (5 employees or less) $250
  • Garden/Flower Festivals and Events (6 employees or more) $400
  • Garden/Flower Festivals and Events (5 employees or less) $250
  • Garden Networks & Trails (8 experiences or more) $500
  • Garden Networks & Trails (7 Experiences or less) $250
  • Garden Centre Destinations $150
  • Communities in Bloom Communities $150

Individual Members $ 50

Associate Members

Garden and Horticultural Associations, Clubs and Organizations

  • National $400
  • Provincial or regional $250

National Tourism and Other Industry Organizations $400

  • Provincial/Regional Tourism and Other Industry Organizations $250

Institutions

  • Education, Environment $400
  • Municipalities $400

Corporate Members

  • Companies with 6 + employees $400
  • Companies with 5 employees or less $250

Canadian Garden Council Board of Directors

Executive

Chair
Alexander Reford, Jardins de Métis, Québec Gardens Association

Vice-Chair
Dave Cowen, The Butchart Gardens, Gardens BC

Treasurer
Harry Jongerden, Toronto Botanical Garden

Secretary
Gerald Dieleman, Assiniboine Park Conservancy

Member at Large
Trish Fry, Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens

Management

Michel Gauthier Executive Director
Tara Nolan Social Media Manager
Kath Thompson Garden Days Coordinator

Board Members

B.C.:
Dave Cowen, The Butchart Gardens, Gardens BC

Alberta:
Kerry Mulholland, Alberta University Botanic Garden

Saskatchewan:
tbc

Manitoba:
Gerald Dieleman, Assiniboine Park Conservancy

Ontario:
Harry Jongerden, Toronto Botanical Garden

Québec:
Alexander Reford, Jardins de Métis, Québec Gardens Association

New Brunswick:
Brad Henderson, Kingsbrae Garden
Tim Henderson, observer

Nova Scotia:
Trish Fry, Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens
Helen MacLean, Tracy Jessen, Halifax Public Gardens, ex-officio member

PEI:
Wayne Long, City of Charlottetown

Nfld. & Labrador:
Kim Shipp, MUN Botanical Garden

CNLA/ Communities in Bloom:
Bill Hardy, Public Relations Committee Chair
Rebecca Doutre, Deputy Director, ex-officio member

Canadian Garden Council Membership Registration Form

Download Form

Supported By:

Partners/Sponsors:

Founding Patrons:

  • Landscape Ontario
  • Vancouver Chinese Garden
  • Ball hort

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“….and into the garden I go to lose my mind and find my soul!”

- Adapted from John Muir