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Greenheart Canopy Walkway
Greenheart Canopy Walkway
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Matthew Boyes
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Matthew Boyes
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Matthew Boyes
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Matthew Boyes
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Matthew Boyes
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Matthew Boyes
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Matthew Boyes
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Matthew Boyes
By Matthew Boyes
Based in the heart of the world famous Botanical Garden at the University of British Columbia, Greenheart Canopy Walkway is a unique eco-attraction mixing adventure with education. The philosophy behind the Vancouver based company which operates this tree top canopy walkway system, and many others around the world, is based upon the premise of immersing the visitor into the natural environment without leaving a heavy ecological footprint.
The tree top canopy walkway system is a series of aerial platforms and bridges, which have been specifically designed with nature in mind. The ingenious construction does not leave any lasting damage to the trees upon which the platforms are suspended. Using an intricate cable system, the whole walkway is suspended high above the ground through tension fields and pressure points. With parts of the system nicknamed “treehuggers” and “kissing bars”, it is easy to see how conservation plays an important role in Greenheart’s operation.
The 310 metre long walkway is an adventurous journey through the top of the forest. Ten dynamic bridges link together the platforms and a free standing viewing tower, all suspended up to 18 metres above the forest floor and designed to sway from side to side as people walk along them. It is easy to understand how many visitors have compared the walkway to a film set such as the Ewok village in Star Wars or something out of Jurassic Park. But adventure isn’t the sole purpose of this eco-attraction. Its primary function is a place to educate. The rich coastal temperate rainforest is home to some of the world’s most interdependent and diverse range of species. From this unique perspective the visitor can look upon the lush understory of the forest floor where ferns compete to grow with native berry bushes on decomposing trees long fallen from great heights, or peer through the canopy to see Bald eagles, Barred owls, woodpeckers and hummingbirds. Greenheart’s team of experienced and knowledgeable guides help visitors understand how the magnificent trees that form this temperate rainforest each have unique characteristics and growth strategies, from the majestic Douglas fir to the revered red cedar, tourists learn how the trees play an important physical and cultural role in this unique landscape.
Greenheart’s commitment to international environmental education and community development can be seen through some of its diverse operations in some of the world’s most spectacular locations. Current projects include canopy walkways in places such as Brazil, Belize, Peru, Rwanda, Nigeria and Ghana. Greenheart also caters to more adventurous visitors through aerial zip-line facilities across the globe, from the coastal Caribbean setting of Haiti, to the downtown urban backdrop of Las Vegas.
Wherever Greenheart bases its operation, regardless of the type of attraction or location, emphasis is always put upon giving back to the community through charitable revenues and strengthening the fabric of community and economic development. Many of Greenheart’s locations are within developing economies where tourism and resulting revenues are an important factor to sustained economic growth and community development. By helping to generate dedicated funds for ongoing conservation programs in rich bio-diverse environments, Greenheart is successfully bridging the gap between the promotion of ecological conservation and successful eco-tourism.
The Canopy Walkway is located at the far end of the UBC Botanical Garden’s Asian Garden, which in itself is a spectacular garden to explore with over 400 different species of rhododendrons among its many highlights, and that is just one of the exciting garden collections in this magnificent botanical collection. There is also a pacific rainforest garden, alpine garden, Carolinian forest and some other exciting garden areas to explore on your visit. Definitely schedule at least a half-day to explore when you plan a visit to this hidden gem.
Although visitors are more than welcome to wander through the garden and explore the canopy walkway by themselves, the most rewarding way to experience both these attractions are as part of a free guided tour. The knowledgeable guides are able to teach you about the native and exotic trees and plants, the cultural relationship between the First Nations and the environment, and are a fantastic source of anecdotes and stories which will make your visit much more memorable. The Greenheart Canopy Walkway operates from April to November and tours occur several times per day. The botanical garden also offers a free, with admission, daily drop-in tour in the summer tourist season.
For more information about the Greenheart Canopy Walkway at UBC Botanical Garden, please visit: botancialgarden.ubc.ca/canopy-walkway