Citizen Spring at the Jardin botanique Espace pour la vie is offering, in cooperation with external organizations, four weekends of free activities at the Jardin botanique’s Frédéric Back Tree Pavilion, an inviting, dynamic and lively space for meetings and exchanges. In April, reconnect with nature and take the opportunity to explore, create or exchange with others, while gearing up to take concrete action towards the socio-ecological transition and the protection of biodiversity. April 12 | Consuming Differently - Day 2 Want to do your bit for the environment? Think about being a better consumer! Take advantage of this day filled with activities that focus on the importance of eco-friendly consumption through simple and effective actions you can take on a daily basis. Program The Jardin botanique team offers books, games, and creative activities for everyone on an ongoing basis. 10 am to noon - Au naturel! Story Time for the Whole Family Courtesy of Pouce Carré Enjoy a fun and relaxing moment as you discover books that celebrate trees and nature! Join the Pouce carré facilitators, who will read entertaining children’s stories and present fascinating documentaries that will help you better understand and appreciate the environment! New for 2026: a table packed with reading suggestions for all ages General public and families In French only 10:30 am to noon - Guided Tour: The Arboretum in Spring Courtesy of the Friends of the Montréal Botanical Garden The Arboretum’s tree collection allows visitors to admire the awakening of nature in spring. Come (re)discover this space through the eyes and stories of our passionate volunteer guides! This activity is offered by the Friends of the Montréal Botanical Garden. Children must be accompanied by at least one adult. General public and families Up to 15 people In French only 11:30 am to 12:30 pm; 1 to 2 pm; 2:30 to 3:30 pm - Making Recycled and Seeded Greeting Cards Courtesy of O’Malley et ses papiers During this workshop, you will be asked to get your hands dirty. We will share some thoughts on the circular economy and the role creativity plays in environmental responsibility. Each participant will leave with a recycled, seeded greeting card (for planting!) that they will have made with their own hands. General public and families (5 years and older) Up to 20 people In French only 12:30 to 1:30 pm - Lecture: Le Consomm’acteur Courtesy of Ville en vert If you knew where your products came from and where they went after you’ve finished with them, would you change your habits? Buying and consuming are two easy things to do. But do you know the life cycle of the things you own and their impact on the planet? This conference will guide you, step by step, toward reducing your ecological footprint. Adults Up to 50 people In French only 1 to 4 pm - Making our Clothes Last Longer: Repair and Alteration Workshop by Maison Tulipe Courtesy of Unel What if repairing our clothes was also a way to slow down, get together, and reflect on what we’re really wearing? This workshop offers a straightforward introduction to repairing and transforming clothes by hand. Open to all—no sewing experience required—, it is aimed at people who are curious to learn simple techniques to make their wardrobe last longer rather than replacing it. This event is also a moment to share and reflect on the value of objects, time, resources, and the expertise that went into our clothes. Through practical actions—repairing a tear, making alterations, transforming—participants are invited to learn together, create together, and forge genuine connections in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. An invitation to take care of what we already own—at our own pace—and to rethink our relationship with clothes. General public and families (8 years and older accompanied, 12 years and older solo) Up to 6 people at a time In French only 1 to 4 pm - Tawashi Sponge Workshop Using Socks! Courtesy of Unel The tawashi workshop teaches participants how to make an eco-friendly, reusable sponge from old socks that have been freshly washed. Simple and fun, it raises awareness about waste reduction and textile recycling while providing a practical item to take home. Participants can join at any time during the activity. All it takes is 15 minutes to learn about the process and make your first sponge! General public and families Up to 15 people at a time In French only 1:30 to 4:30 pm - Natural Dyeing: Discovering Dye Plants Courtesy of Jardin botanique de Montréal A large number of plant species can be used to extract a mixture of pigments for making dye. Come and discover some of the traditional uses of these plants, as well as the techniques used today to dye clothing naturally. General public and families In French only 2:30 to 4:30 pm - Social Club: Repairing Things! Courtesy of Club répare Le Club répare is a social club whose members come together to repair things. We learn how to take care of the things we own and slowly transform our relationship with them. We do this while taking our time and having fun. General public and families In French only 4 to 5 pm - Making a Worm Composter Courtesy of Aki Agriculture A hands-on workshop where you will learn how to make your own worm composter! Worm composting is a method of composting using worms that is up to four times faster, producing a super-rich fertilizer—humus—which is ideal for growing great vegetables! General public and families (6 years and older) Up to 10 people (theoretical part is unlimited) In French only