Citizen Spring

Espace pour la vie invites the public to the second edition of Citizen Spring at the Jardin botanique. Every Saturday and Sunday, from April 5 to 27, is a perfect opportunity to reconnect with nature and take part in enriching activities in support of the socio-ecological transition at the Frédéric-Back Tree Pavilion. The program, entirely free of charge and offered in cooperation with more than 25 local organizations, is packed with stimulating, engaging activities for the whole family. Each weekend has its own theme, giving participants a chance to discover concrete, inspiring solutions to coexist harmoniously with our environment. Let’s celebrate the arrival of spring and work together for a greener future!

A rich and varied program line-up
The Jardin botanique’s animation team offers guided tours of the arboretum and fun activities in the “nature hive”, a lively space where you can hop from one creative activity to the next. All activities are free of charge, although some have limited space.

Citizen SpringApril 5 and 6: Nature’s Good for Me
Reconnecting with our environment
Create: Making an organic collage; the basics of botanical watercolors; creating a tale
Learn: Cart location; the basics of biophilia; all about eco-anxiety
Move: Create dance moves in nature; guided hikes; forest bathing; interdependence with nature and others
Participate: The art of regional planning; acting collectively for our neighbourhood; dreaming up a plot of land at the Jardin botanique

Citizen SpringApril 12 and 13: Consuming Differently
Revisiting the way we consume through playful activities
Create: Making food packaging; reusing used books in creative ways
Learn: Basket-weaving workshop; discovering edible insects, composting and mushroom-based materials; the art of bonsai, screen-printing with vegetable inks; bicycle tuning; the sugar moon (sogalikas in Abenaki)
Cook: Making traditional Abenaki corn cakes; lacto-fermentation
Move: Guided hikes among the trees, interdependence with nature and others; forest bathing with the whole family
Listen and discuss: Film discussion on the price of fashion; children’s tale; talking about indigenous realities

Citizen SpringApril 19 and 20: Discover the Yummy Side of the Transition!
Transforming gastronomy and everyday life to support the socio-ecological transition
Learn: Making a DIY cleaning product; all about waste management; zero-waste cooking; taking action in our neighbourhood; native and edible plants; designing a vegetable garden
Cook and Enjoy: Cooking workshop for kids; Abenaki Labrador tea; wild fruit and cedar drinks
Move and Play: Hiking among the trees; interdependence with nature and others; forest bathing; zero-waste challenge
Listen and Discuss: Zero waste; children’s tale; talking about indigenous realities, citizen mobilization

Citizen SpringApril 26 and 27: Plants at the Heart of the Solutions
Exploring the potential of plants to preserve biodiversity and improve our living environments
Create: Seed bombs
Learn: Introduction to anthotypes (plant photography); ecology through the pages, sculpting the landscape
Move: Test riding a cargo bike; tree race; hiking among the trees; interdependence with nature and others
Listen and Discus: A musical moment with your child, discussion about the film “Après la Romaine”; children’s tale

Language: Most of these activities are held in French, some are bilingual.
Location: Frédéric-Back Tree Pavilion, Jardin botanique de Montréal
Details:  All activities are free. Some are specially designed for families and some have limited capacity.

For more information visit: http://calendrier.espacepourlavie.ca

*Reminder: the outdoor gardens are accessible free of charge until April 30, 2025.

Photos below: © Mathieu Rivard

Citizen Spring at the Jardin botanique

Citizen Spring at the Jardin botanique
Citizen Spring at the Jardin botanique
Citizen Spring at the Jardin botanique