development@torontobotanicalgarden.ca
Everyone deserves access to green space
The Toronto Botanical Garden (TBG) is Toronto’s only botanical garden, offering ornamental plant displays, plant-centred learning, and nature-based programming.
TBG is an admission-free four-acre botanical garden that seeks to inspire and educate over 350,000 annual visitors. Our outdoor garden consists of 17 themed gardens, with more than 4,000 plant varieties.
TBG is sustained by over 2,900 household memberships and over 300 dedicated volunteers.
As a non-profit organization, we are 95% self-sustaining and rely on the generous support of donors, grants, and foundations to maintain our horticultural excellence and continue our plant-based programming.
TBG is embarking on an exciting landmark capital expansion in partnership with the City of Toronto Today, we are a four-acre botanical garden nestled in the City of Toronto’s Park System adjacent to Edwards Gardens and the Wilket Creek Ravine. As we prepare to expand our managerial oversight across thirty-five acres, we are scaling up to achieve sustained organizational performance as a relevant and inspiring living museum.
Why We Exist
MISSION
Toronto Botanical Garden connects people and plants, fostering sustainable communities and developing reciprocal relationships with nature through lifelong learning.
VISION
Toronto Botanical Garden is a garden for all; a diverse community that recognizes the life-giving role of nature, working together for a more sustainable world.
TBG BY THE NUMBERS
350K+ Annual Visitors
2,907 TBG Members
35K Social Followers
21K+ Bulbs Planted
325+ Annual Programs
11K+ Volunteer Hours
14 Music Concerts
19K Newsletter Subscribers
17K+ Learning Attendees
20K+ Event Attendees
300+ TBG Volunteers
120lbs+ Food Donated
WHAT WE DO
Dynamic Community Hub
TBG boasts a lively yearround event calendar that includes arts & culture events, community tours, and eco-markets. We are an ever-expanding, dynamic community with over 2,900 members, 300+ volunteers, and 30+ member organizations that calls TBG their home.
Programming also includes:
Wellness programs
Musical performances, such as the Edward Summer Music Series and Tafelmusik at the Garden
Through the Garden Gate, a self-guided tour of private gardens in Toronto
Educational lectures
Floral design classes
Engaging Learning Environment
The educational programming at TBG connects more than 17,000 children, families, and adults to nature. Our learning initiatives teach visitors about gardening, conservation, sustainability, wellness, and creativity.
Inspiring Plant Place
TBG is the leading destination in Toronto to experience sustainable horticulture first-hand, and to better understand our collective role as environmental stewards.
With free admission and over 350K visitors a year, TBG welcomes everyone to learn to love plants. Through our engaged online community, our e-newsletter mailing list, and our beloved Trellis Magazine, we have nurtured a dedicated network of nature enthusiasts.
A DESTINATION A DESTINATION
FOR MANY REASONS FOR MANY REASONS
LIFELONG LEARNING
TBG is a vital community resource that fosters a deep connection between individuals and nature through lifelong learning. We offer over 325 indoor, outdoor, and online programs annually for 17,000 participants of all ages.
Zero- and low-cost programming is a part of the TBG commitment to deliver equitable access to nature-based education and programming, including one of our flagship programs, Living Winter. Learning activities focus on strengthening environmental engagement and stewardship to promote protection and knowledge of our green spaces.
A Case for Children’s Environmental Education
Canada adopted the UN 2030 agenda for sustainable development in 2015, committing to 17 goals focused on social, economic, and environmental issues. The pursuit of these goals increased demand for nature-based programs in North America
Environmental education can help current and future generations of children solve the consequences of an unsustainable world and can be the starting point for addressing climate change and biodiversity loss.
However, research shows marginalized and low-income communities have less access to green spaces in urban areas. This is concerning because one in four children in Toronto lives in poverty, and some Ontario cities report child poverty rates exceeding 50%.
TBG can therefore help solve the disparity between children and green education With your financial investment, we can increase access to zero- and low-cost nature-based learning and empower environmental leaders of the future.
LIVING WINTER
Living Winter is a full-day learning experience for students in high-needs communities across Toronto. During the 2023-2024 program, we empowered over 2,045 students to care for their local ecosystems by teaching them about habitats found at TBG.
like TBG are essential for supporting physical health green spaces
Research indicates that individuals who regularly engage with gardens and green areas lead more active and environmentally conscious lifestyles.
The preservation of city green spaces have become even more essential since the prevalence of the urban heat island effect, which raises the city’s temperature by three to four degrees compared to rural areas
Furthermore, the urban heat island effect contributes to higher energy consumption and worsens air quality. This is particularly harmful because over 15,000 Canadians die each year due to air pollution The heat can also disrupt the water cycle, adversely affecting local ecosystems.
Dr Cecil Konijnendijk, a Professor of Urban Forestry at the University of British Colombia suggests simple interactions with nature such as taking short breaks in a garden can lower stress levels, enhance concentration, and improve productivity
Protecting TBG means preserving valuable green spaces that promote physical health and urban resilience.
HOBBIES
Being in the presence of natural landscapes and public gardens is one way for people to enjoy nature While simply being at TBG helps us appreciate the natural world, so do hobbies For this reason, TBG encourages visitors to learn a new skill or join a class such as floral design, lino printing, painting ravine scapes, or fitness
WE CAN’T IGNORE THE BENEFITS OF HOBBIES.
A 2023 study fou improves mood a following particip four to eight year hobbies reported happiness, and fe depression. That’s support sensory e and self-expressio
And where better than at TBG surro gardens and natu
CONNECTING WITH FRIENDS & FAMILY
TBG’s green spaces are communal areas for residents, neighbours, families, and friends to meet and build community. We are a public garden that bridges the gap between income levels, geographical locations, and cultural backgrounds offering a neutral gathering place
Advocating for the protection of green spaces can strengthen individual and community bonds, offering a sense of belonging and social inclusion.
Parks and gardens encourage positive social interactions, social inclusion, health and well-being Being in the presence of natural spaces with families and friends improves our sense of community. This notion that urban parks foster social well-being is further reinforced by a study that concluded participation in park organizations can lead to stronger social cohesion and a sense of connection among people.
TBG is worth investing in because we help build the social fabric of Toronto and are a part of the solution for combating public health concerns of social isolation.
Horticulture Team to design seasonal displays that demonstrate our creativity and capacity to work with the intricacies of colour, texture, size, and species throughout the year.
TBG is a free and beautiful community green space
that addresses several urban challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and social isolation.
Choosing to invest in TBG’s gardens builds community and environmental resilience. We are a free community green space that addresses several urban challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and social isolation. Our land offers critical advantages such as cooling effects, habitat provision, and climate change mitigation. Donate to TBG to care for the natural spaces and promote environmental empowerment.
ACASEF EQUITY
Green spaces provide esse benefits that extend beyon aesthetics and recreation, in the context of climate ch Natural spaces, like TBG, c regulate local temperature protect against flooding. H the distribution of these be often unequal, with margin communities having less ac green spaces
Research from Park People Canadian City Parks Repor a concerning trend: neighb with abundant parks and t to be whiter and more affluent, while lower-income and racialized communities are often situated in areas with fewer green spaces. This disparity exacerbates their vulnerability to climate change impacts, including air pollution and extreme heat For instance, a study found that air pollution hotspots are frequently located in areas with higher populations of immigrants and lower-income residents, illustrating a form of environmental racism Furthermore, another study found these neighborhoods often lack resilient tree canopies, limiting their access to the protective benefits of urban green spaces.
Less access to green spaces is an environmental and public health issue. Access to natural spaces is linked to improved cardiovascular, respiratory, and mental health outcomes. Furthermore, proximity to natural spaces correlates with better health outcomes
To address these disparities, TBG is building a Garden for All Strategy to better meet the diverse needs of the community Actions from the Strategy include zero- to low-cost programming, diversifying our Board of Directors and senior leadership team, sliding scale pricing, and accessible accommodations at events. More to come in the future!
Thank You
The Toronto Botanical Garden stands as a beacon of natural beauty, community engagement, and educational enrichment.
Your donation will help sustain and expand these vital programs and services, ensuring that TBG continues to connect people to nature, promote pubic health, and demonstrate horticultural excellence.
Investing in TBG is investing in a healthier, more vibrant, and connected community.
Thank you for your support in helping us continue to make a meaningful impact on the lives of our visitors and the environment.