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 biopersity. April 27 - Plants at the Heart of the Solutions - Day 2 Be dazzled by the beauty of the plant world and the forest, while enriching biopersity! Through a variety of workshops and lectures punctuated by walks, creative and literary activities, this day promises to give you a better understanding of plants and their importance in the socio-ecological transition. On the agenda The animation team offers a continuous flow of guided tours of the arboretum and a series of fun activities for all ages in the Nature Hive. 10 am to noon - All-natural! Story Time for the Family Courtesy of Pouce Carré Get set for a fun-filled moment of relaxation as you discover books that put trees and nature in the spotlight! Join Pouce Carré’s animators, who will read amusing children’s stories and present fascinating documentaries that will help you better understand and appreciate the environment! A table full of reading suggestions for all ages will be set up. Youngsters, teens and adults alike will be able to find a reading suggestion that will pique their curiosity and nurture their love of reading. In French. Activity presented outdoors (indoors in case of rain) 10 am to noon - Family Workshop: A Musical Moment Courtesy of Emmanuelle Lizère, Petits Bonheurs Share a musical moment with your child and let yourself be carried away by sounds, melodies and finger games. Together, parents and children get to explore a variety of materials (paper, textiles, wood, etc.) and make sound-producing objects and instruments resonate. The rocking, dancing and bouncing sounds comes to life under the children’s fingers and through their babbling. A true sonic connection! In French. Babies from 12 to 18 months. Up to 12 parent-child pairs (24 people) 10:30 am to 4:30 pm - Discover the Soothing Cargo Bike Courtesy of LocoMotion Come and try out one of the cargo bikes of LocoMotion, the neighbourhood car-sharing collective. Enjoy this carefree mode of transport and feel the spring breeze in your hair. The LocoMotion collective team will help you get comfortable and lend you a helmet. Ready, set, go! Bilingual 11 am and 3 pm - Family Activity: The Tree Rally Courtesy of the Jardin botanique animation team On your mark, get set, go! It’s the start of the race to the centre of the Jardin botanique’s tree collections—the Arboretum. This rally is a dynamic time-trial activity that invites families to unlock the mysteries of trees by sharpening their sense of observation. Bilingual. For families 11 am to noon - Introduction to Anthotypes (Plant Photography) Courtesy of Isabelle Parson, visual artist Immerse yourself in the world of anthotype, an eco-sensitive photography technique that uses natural plant pigments to create sunlight-reactive images. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to pick and extract the juices from edible and native plants to create unique, colourful and vibrant photograms! In French. Up to 15 people 12:30 am to 2 pm - A Walk Among the Trees Courtesy of the Friends of the Jardin botanique de Montréal Love the trees at the Jardin botanique? Join a volunteer guide on a hike and learn more about the awesome features of this majestic urban forest! Put on your walking shoes and come spend some time in nature. In French. For all; children must be accompanied by an adult. Up to 20 people 1 to 2 pm - Discovering Seeds Courtesy of Polliflora Come and learn about pollinators, the reproductive cycle of a plant, and how seeds are dispersed. At the end, you will make seed bombs to plant at home! In French. Up to 30 participants 1 to 2 pm - Discover the Invisible: Interdependencies Courtesy of the Jardin botanique animation team We have special relationships with the living beings around us, and now’s the time to take notice! During this animation, come move around with us and discuss the links that connect us to each other and to our environment. Find out how interdependence is important for tomorrow's socio-ecological transition! Bilingual. General public, 10 and up. Up to 15 people 1:30 to 2:30 pm - Ecology through the Pages Courtesy of Pouce Carré This literary workshop takes you on a journey of discovery through stories and books that reconnect you with wildlife and plants, and introduce you to inspiring personalities and initiatives, while offering literary answers to certain questions: What is ecology? Why is it so important today? How can we deal with this subject through documentary or in scientific, poetic and creative ways? How can we talk about environmental protection, reconnect with nature, and demystify certain environmental issues? In French. Ages 7 to 12 3 to 4:30 pm - Plants All Around: The Tough Life of Weeds Courtesy of Polliflora Discover the evolution of plants, the differences between native, introduced and naturalized plants, and leave with some great tips on how to sculpt the landscape. Plants will be handed out (to the first 50 people) at the end of the presentation. In French 3:30 to 5 pm - Film Discussion : Après la Romaine Courtesy of Myriam Brouillette-Paradis, socio-ecological transition advisor at Lab22 (social and environmental innovation laboratory) Viewing of a documentary followed by discussion of the issues raised, with the aim of highlighting possible solutions and actions to address these issues. A call to action! Documentary synopsis: For the first time since his efforts to protect the Romaine in 2008, Roy Dupuis returns to the river—now a hydroelectric complex—to take stock of the situation. While it’s too late for the Romaine, municipal authorities and citizens’ groups, both Innu and white, are mobilizing to save the neighbouring Magpie River. In French. General public (ages 12 and up). Up to 45 people