An Escape from the Summer Term

UBC really has it all – there’s a long stretch of shoreline to the left of us, a forested park flanking our right side, and even a botanical garden. What you may not know, is that UBC’s botanical garden also offers a walk above the air – among the trees!

As a UBC student, we are able to visit Nitobe Gardens and the UBC Botanical Gardens for free, but I would unhesitatingly recommend all of the visitors to pay a bit more to get the chance to experience the feeling of walking amongst the trees. The garden creates such a different atmosphere, that it’s almost hard to believe that the garden is even part of campus at all, making it all the more relaxing. The wobbly nature of the walkways is a great thrill during a school season slump, and the fresh oxygen from all of the trees is an invigorating addition. At the highest, you ascend to twenty-three metres above the forest floor, giving you a clear bird’s eye view of the surroundings of the forest. Compared to traditional treetop canopy walkway systems, UBC’s Greenheart TreeWalk does not require bolts or nails that dig into the trees. Instead, the bridges use a cable tension system (known as the “tree hugger” and the “kissing bar”) that doesn’t damage the trees.

While you’re at the garden, it’s also a good idea to check out the variety of flora that the garden has to offer. The entire garden is a pleasant place to amble around and relax during your studies. In particular, the food garden is a great place for us to connect ourselves with the foods that we eat. The effort and energy that goes into the produce reminds us about the importance of preventing food wastage. Just make sure to not eat any of the produce while you’re there, as the food goes towards Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside to help the hungry and homeless.

With all of the great weather that we’re experiencing right now, go ahead and get out there! Enjoy the sun, and take a nice study break by checking out the garden. Research has demonstrated the importance of physical activity during study sessions, and the proximity of the garden to campus is an incentive for you to drop by! As of May 24th, the TreeWalk is $9 plus tax for students – and your money goes towards supporting the research, education, conservation, and display of the wide variety of floral species in the garden.

For more information about UBC Botanical Gardens and the TreeWalk, check out the attached link.