This new garden commemorates the life and legacy of Helen M. Kippax, one of eight founding members of the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (1934).

The celebration commences at 11 a.m., Wednesday, September 17, 2008, at the Turner Pavilion, Hendrie Park Gardens (Rose Garden) with guest of honor Ms. Mary Stedman, the niece of Helen M. Kippax, and special guests Mr. Arnis Budrevics, Canadian Society of Landscape Architects and Mr. Rob Simpson, Auxiliary president, Royal Botanical Gardens.

The new one-acre garden hosts more than 14,500 plants. Under the direction of Martin Wade, Landscape Architect and Aldershot Landscape Contractors, over 60 volunteers, made up Auxiliary of RBG members, Board, staff, and the local community undertook the task of receiving, sorting and planting the garden.

The garden features native plants and native plant cultivars (shrubs, perennials and grasses) with very limited use of ornamentals, in a design that showcases sustainable gardening to Royal Botanical Gardens’ visitors. The design will inspire and educate the public about the beauty of native plants for use in public and private gardens.

The planting design of Helen M. Kippax Wild Plant Garden moves the idea of the botanical garden into the 21st century by designing with plant communities (plants that coexist in natural settings) rather than plant collections.

Photo opportunities are available the day of the celebration.

For more information contact: Lee Oliver, Communications Manager, 905.527.1158, ext. 223

October, 2007
Record low water levels in Cootes Paradise Marsh

BURLINGTON, ON – With the dry summer behind us, we are still enjoying many unseasonably warm days. As such, many have been taking advantage of these days by spending their spare time outdoors. However, the lingering effects of this dry year are evident by simply taking a look at local waters.

At Cootes Paradise, visitors will undoubtedly notice the receding water levels. In September, the water levels were approximately 17 centimetres below the long term average for September, resulting in large mud flats becoming exposed. Water levels are expected to continue falling another 15 to 20 centimetres from now until December. Jennifer Bowman, Restoration Ecologist at Royal Botanical Gardens, notes “the lower than average water levels in the marsh dramatically illustrate the consequences of upstream erosion problems.”

The impact on the marsh habitat includes positive outcomes such as forcing the remaining carp to leave the marsh and the hardening and oxygenation of the newly exposed mud flats.

Since 1993, Project Paradise has been working hard to restore the Cootes Paradise marsh to its original state by eliminating the major factors that lead to its original decline. The marsh is rapidly being infilled by sediment eroding off the watershed due to unmitigated changes to the land. To document the amount of infilling that has occurred a recent study measured water depth throughout the marsh. It was found that massive amounts of sediment have continued to accumulate in the Cootes Paradise marsh since 1998, as much as 120,000 tonnes in the past 7 years or 17,000 tonnes per year. This is at a slightly lower rate compared to previous study measuring changes from 1949 to 1998. At the 2005 rate of sedimentation it is estimated with Cootes Paradise Marsh would be filled in within 90 years.

Although the marsh is accumulating sediment at the river mouths, areas in the main body and at the eastern end of the marsh, which demonstrated massive infilling in a pre 1998 study, have increased in depth (up to 9 cm) in recent years. It is theorized to be primarily the result of consolidation of the soft sediment from decomposition of the underlying historical organic layer and compaction in addition to the high wind and wave action that scours the bottom of the eastern end.

July, 2007
Ground-breaking ushers in new era for Royal Botanical Gardens


BURLINGTON, ON — A new mascot joined many long-time friends of Royal Botanical Gardens set the stage today for the future of the organization at a ground-breaking ceremony that paves the way for construction to begin on a new Gateway facility. The Gateway facility is part of Phase 1 of Royal Botanical Gardens’ Rejuvenation and Enhancement Project.

Judy Marsales, MPP for Hamilton West, representing Caroline Di Cocco, the Ontario Minister of Culture, joined Terry Yates, Chairman of the RBG Board of Directors, and other invited guests to mark the start of this important Canada–Ontario Infrastructure Program (COIP) project. The Honourable Tony Clement, federal Minister of Health and federal Minister responsible for COIP, sent his congratulations.

Canada’s New Government and the Province of Ontario each committed up to $2,336,000 to the project. Royal Botanical Gardens and community partners committed the balance of the project’s total eligible costs of $11,680,000.

The ceremony was held in the Fountain Court, which will become the new Gateway entrance to RBG Centre and the Hendrie Park Gardens. Guests were introduced to Buzz, a friendly new mascot that will appear on signs to direct visitors during the construction of the new building, the fall redesign of the Hendrie Park Rose Garden, and the installation of the new Helen Kippax Garden.

The rejuvenation and enhancement of Royal Botanical Gardens includes:
• Providing barrier-fee access from RBG Centre to Hendrie Park
• Increasing year-round display and program space
• Re-developing Hendrie Park Gardens as a major focal point
• Introducing a new perennial garden on a peninsula of tableland projecting into the Grindstone Cree valley, surrounded by natural lands on three sides
• Providing a new Gateway entrance to RBG Centre
Improving the visitor’s experience by renovating the entrance and parking lot

“Canada's New Government is getting things done for the people of Hamilton, Burlington and region," said Mr. Clement. "Thanks to our investment of over $2.3 million, the expansion and rejuvenation of Royal Botanical Gardens will help drive tourism and economic development in the region.”

“Royal Botanical Gardens is recognized around the world for its unique collection, research, exhibition and interpretation of the plant world,” said Ms. Marsales. “I am genuinely proud of the leadership the McGuinty government has shown in supporting [Royal Botanical Gardens'] revival.”

“This $11.68M project will act as a catalyst for greater things to come for [Royal Botanical Gardens]” said Mr. Yates. “[Royal Botanical Gardens] is definitely moving towards that “must-see” destination for this region; all Ontarians, all Canadians. We have a rich history to draw upon and irreplaceable botanic assets and with the clear financial support of our partners all the elements are in place for us to start a true rejuvenation of Royal Botanical Gardens.”

December 19, 2006
Rejuvenating Royal Botanical Gardens

Royal Botanical Gardens today celebrated renewed support for the rejuvenation and enhancement of the Gardens. Mike Wallace, MP for Burlington, and the Honourable Caroline Di Cocco, Ontario Minister of Culture, joined Terry Yates, Chairman, Board of Directors, Royal Botanical Gardens, and other invited guests to mark the renewal of this important Canada–Ontario Infrastructure Program (COIP) project.

The Gardens’ public and private partners have invested in the Gardens for more than seven decades, building a place of extraordinary beauty, learning and discovery. To protect this investment and to fulfill its potential as a living museum with mandated areas of horticulture, education, conservation, science and research, Royal Botanical Gardens is initiating several important projects. The projects concentrate on improving the visitor’s experience as they enter and explore Hendrie Park Gardens and RBG Centre, both located on Plains Road West on the Hamilton-Burlington border.

Canada’s new Government and the Government of Ontario will each contribute up to $2,336,000 to the project. Royal Botanical Gardens and community partners will invest the balance of the project’s total eligible costs of $11,680,000. This reflects a revision of the funding and project scope from the original announcement in September 2002.

Phase I of the rejuvenation of Royal Botanical Gardens now includes:

• Providing barrier-free access from RBG Centre to Hendrie Park Gardens
• Increasing year-round display and program space
• Re-developing Hendrie Park Gardens and gardens as a major focal point
• Introducing a new perennial garden on a peninsula of tableland projecting into the Grindstone Creek valley, surrounded by natural lands on three sides
• Providing a new gateway entrance to RBG Centre
• Improving the visitor’s experience by renovating the entrance and parking lot.


Conservative MP Mike Wallace (Burlington)

“Canada’s new Government is working in partnership to build vibrant communities across the country, including right here in Ontario,” said Mr. Wallace, on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Federal Minister of Health and Federal Minister responsible for the COIP. “We’re proud to be part of this project to rejuvenate Royal Botanical Gardens, which will generate tourism and revenue for the region."


The Honourable Caroline Di Cocco, Ontario Minister of Culture

"The infrastructure investment we are making today marks the beginning of an exciting period of transition for Royal Botanical Gardens,” said Minister Di Cocco. “This first phase of renewal will improve public access to the Gardens and will help ensure that one of Ontario’s important provincial attractions continues to play a leading role as a living museum which is recognized around the world for its unique contribution to the collection, research, exhibition and interpretation of the plant world.”

This initiative builds upon recommendations of the 2005 mandate review entitled ‘A Fresh Start for the RBG’ by planning the rejuvenation and enhancement of the Gardens in a phased, fiscally responsible manner.

“The rejuvenation of the Gardens will enable us to be an important garden-tourist destination, maintaining strong content while providing a memorable visitor experience and ensuring that [Royal Botanical Gardens] fulfills its role as a botanical garden in the 21st century,” stated Board Chair, Terry Yates. “The $4,672,000 contribution by the federal and provincial governments, when added to funds raised during the quiet phase of our capital campaign, gives us the fundraising boost that we need to immediately commence work on Phase 1 of our plans.”


Conservative MP David Sweet (Dundas), Mark Runciman, Executive Director, Royal Botanical Gardens and Bill Bennett, Board Member, Royal Botanical Gardens.

Mr. Yates pointed out that it is important for the public to understand that the remaining fundraising challenges of Royal Botanical Gardens are considerable. The mandate review of 2005 and the organization’s Master Plan pinpoint a number of projects that need to be addressed as soon as funds are available. They include re-establishment of a library, the renovation of aging structures which house science, conservation, education, horticultural and administrative staff, extensive renovation and expansion of Royal Botanical Gardens' original Rock Garden, the addition of an architecturally striking display house and several additional signature gardens for Hendrie Park Gardens. These projects, which will cost approximately $25,000,000 to $30,000,000 and are in addition to plans announced today, will be undertaken as funds are generated through Royal Botanical Gardens’ capital campaign.

The rejuvenation and enhancement of Royal Botanical Gardens is being undertaken to increase the capacity to offer innovative year-round programming, with changing exhibits and activities for visitors of all ages and interest levels. The result will be an all-season attraction from which Royal Botanical Gardens hopes to generate increased visitation and revenue to support its mission to be a living museum, serving local, regional and global communities by developing and promoting public understanding of the relationship between the plant world, humanity and the rest of nature.

For further information:
Mark Runciman, CEO
Royal Botanical Gardens
905-527-1158, ext. 221

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