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A milestone moniker for Dal's Ag Campus gardens

- August 30, 2018

Planting the ceremonial Black Ash to mark the commeration of the Bicetennial Botanical Garden. Left: Dean David Gray; right: Art Stevens, manager, Aboriginal students (Nick Pearce photos)
Planting the ceremonial Black Ash to mark the commeration of the Bicetennial Botanical Garden. Left: Dean David Gray; right: Art Stevens, manager, Aboriginal students (Nick Pearce photos)

Named in honour of Dalhousieā€™s 200th anniversary in 2018, the Bicentennial Botanical Garden is known as the Faculty of Agricultureā€™s largest classroom, providing many hands-on learning opportunities for students and researchers alike.

The gardens received their new name last Saturday (August 25) at a commemeration ceremony that featured the planting of a Black Ash, or ā€˜Wisqoqā€™ in Miā€™kmaq. The tree was designated as threatened under the Nova Scotia Endangered Species Act in 2013, and the Faculty of Agriculture has been working in partnership with Miā€™kmawey Forestry as part of their conservation efforts.

The Bicentennial Botanical Garden comprises 11 hectares of unique and diverse features including wide-ranging plant collections as well as the largest Rock Garden east of Montreal. Shade, herb and bulb gardens, a butterfly meadow, an apple orchard and more beautify the busy campus.

ā€œOur entire campus environment becomes a classroom of learning, conserving, sharing, growing and socializing,ā€ said Dean and Campus Principal David Gray.

The Bicentennial Botanical garden received a Canada 150 Garden Experience designation last year in celebration of Canadaā€™s 150th birthday and is featured on the Nova Scotia Provincial Garden road trip.