Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) is located at the western end of Lake Ontario, straddling the Hamilton and Burlington regions of Ontario, Canada. Covering over 2,700 acres, RBG is the largest botanical garden in Canada and uniquely integrates cultivated garden spaces with significant nature sanctuaries. The gardens and nature reserves encompass a wide variety of ecosystems, including wetlands, forests, meadows, and shorelines along Cootes Paradise and Hamilton Harbour. These diverse habitats support hundreds of species of plants, birds, butterflies, and other wildlife, many of which are rare or at risk. Founded in 1941 and officially opened to the public in 1951, RBG was created with a mission to conserve native plants and provide educational and recreational opportunities for visitors. Its cultivated gardens feature themed areas such as the Rock Garden, Arboretum, and Laking Garden, which display a rich diversity of domestic and exotic plant species. Alongside these formal gardens, the nature sanctuaries offer numerous trails through natural landscapes, including the Cootes Paradise Sanctuary, which is one of the largest urban wetlands in North America. Visitors can enjoy activities like hiking, birdwatching, guided tours, and seasonal events such as spring tulip festivals or fall foliage walks. The gardens are well known for excellent photographic opportunities, wildlife observation, and family-friendly programs. RBG serves as a vital green space in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, blending horticulture and ecological preservation.
