Royal Botanical Garden

[SteelTown]

RBG’s Rock Garden gets $14 million investment

http://www.thespec.com/news/local/ar...ion-investment

The Royal Botanical Garden’s Rock Garden is about to get a face lift.

The Provincial and Federal governments announced on Monday that together, they will give $14 million in funding to help with basic maintenance and upgrades of the Royal Botanical Garden’s first major display garden.

Mark Runciman, Royal Botanical Garden’s CEO, said the Rock Garden needs rejuvenation. With the exception of the tea house that was built in the mid sixties, there have been no other significant investments.

“We have leaky ponds, we have water features we have to re-do (and) it’s on a septic system so all of these things have to be improved,” said Runciman.

It will likely be two-year project that Runciman says will start as soon as possible.

The Honourable Ted McMeekin, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs was on hand to announce the $7 million contribution on behalf of the Ontario government and Mike Wallace, Member of Parliament for Burlington, announced Canada’s $7 million contribution on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.

The initiative is supported by the Building Canada Fund.

“It’s designed for infrastructure that will have a long-term lasting effect,” said Wallace.

[thistleclub]

Red squirrels duke it out over precious peanuts
(Toronto Star, Niamh Skallan, Feb 09 2013)

The battle lines had been drawn and the stakes set high. When it was all over, one opponent would claim victory and the other cast away, empty-handed in defeat.

There they perched, two red squirrels united by their species but divided in battle, ready to fight to the bitter end atop a tree stump at Burlington’s Royal Botanical Gardens for the ultimate prize: a handful of peanuts.

And so it began, the first rodent to the pile scooping up a nut in his mouth. But that didn’t last long, with his opponent scrambling up the side of the stump toward him and knocking the nut from his grasp.

Soon, the pair began to spar like gladiators in a Coliseum, balancing on their two hind legs as they reached toward each other with their sharp claws until one sunk his teeth into the other’s arm.

Then came the final blow as one squirrel flipped the other over his head and onto another stump below. Victorious, he wasted no time to claim his bounty and run.

“It happened so quickly, it was quite incredible,” said Andre Morozov, 47, a hobby photographer from Mississauga who had placed the peanuts on the stump and managed to capture the 10-second fight on camera last month.

Strange behaviour for red squirrels?

Not according to Dr. Stan Boutin, a squirrel expert and biological sciences professor at the University of Alberta, who has been studying the species for more than 25 years.

Where grey squirrels are typically docile creatures, Boutin said red squirrels, a type of tree squirrel found mostly in areas with a high number of coniferous trees, are highly energetic and extremely territorial, resorting to aggression when they feel threatened.

Shown the string of photos from the Burlington park skirmish, Boutin speculated that the tree stump could have straddled each squirrel’s territory and both could have felt prepared to take a chance on claiming the treats.

“I’m not surprised ... they are aggressive little guys,” he said.

Nathalie Karvonen, executive director of Toronto Wildlife Centre,” described the squirrels as both “hilarious” and “tough” and said the aggressive behaviour is typical for the species.

She added, however, that people should not feed wild animals.

[SteelTown]

Thespec

RBG rock garden plan officially launched
http://www.thespec.com/news-story/44...ally-launched/

Janet Rosenberg knows she's in for a challenge.

Take one of Hamilton and Burlington's most beloved and historic outdoor locations and bring it up to date — without losing any of the charm it's had for 80 years.

And while you're at it, make sure it's exciting enough so that the younger generation will set down their iPhones and iPods long enough to want to get outside for a few hours of fresh air and sun.

Janet Rosenberg and Studio in Toronto has been handed the challenge of updating the landscaping at the RBG's rock garden.

"I am very aware of the importance and historical value of the rock garden," said Rosenberg Tuesday. "That's the beauty of it. It has such a strong heritage."

Rosenberg will be updating the gardens as part of a $20 million plan to upgrade the tourist attraction located just off York Boulevard on the Hamilton-Burlington border.

"It will be like a breath of fresh air," said Rosenberg. "But we are also need to be very respectful. It's something that people hold very dear but it was getting to the point where it wasn't that safe to walk on anymore."

Built in 1930-31 on the site of an abandoned gravel pit, the rock garden was RBG's first major display garden. It has been closed since August as it has been in need of repair.

The aim is to build a new visitors' centre and spruce up the gardens in time for the spring of 2015, said Royal Botanical Gardens CEO Mark Runciman. The RBG's goal is to turn "a 30-minute visit" at the rock garden into a 90-minute visit.

The visitors' centre and a new parking lot off York Boulevard is also expected to boost visibility of the gardens, Runciman said. The new visitors' centre will also be able to hold up to about 150 people for wedding receptions and other special occasion events.

As part of the official announcement Tuesday morning, RBG also launched a $6 million fundraising campaign. The RBG has a commitment of $7 million from the federal government and $7 million from the province. It hopes to raise the remaining $6 million through fundraising that may involve some City of Hamilton support.

David Braley and Nancy Gordon were part of the kickoff event as they pledged to match local donations up to a total of $2 million.

[thomax]

Royal Botanical Gardens Visitor Centre Construction by RBG Science, on Twitter

[Dr Awesomesauce]

^Lookin' good! An under-appreciated gem.

[thomax]

David Braley and Nancy Gordon Rock Garden Building - RBG by Joe, on Flickr


David Braley and Nancy Gordon Rock Garden Building - RBG by Joe, on Flickr


Rock Garden Sign - RBG by Joe, on Flickr

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Love it!

P.s. thank God it's not called the Tim Horton's pavilion or some damn thing...