From Winnipeg to Nantes - What We Can Learn
September was a whirlwind of learning, connection, and inspiration. Friends of Allan Gardens was proud to take part in two major international gatherings: the International Federation of Landscape Architects World Congress in Nantes, France (Sept 10–12) and the American Public Gardens Association Symposium on Conservatories & Greenhouses at The Leaf in Winnipeg (Sept 22–24). Both experiences were unforgettable — and they’ve left us more energized than ever about the future of Allan Gardens.
Public Garden Symposium in Winnipeg
At APGA, Matt Canaran and Steven Shuttle presented on our approach to programming at Allan Gardens, rooted in the idea of cultural plants — plants as storytellers, memory-keepers, and reflections of the cultural histories of our communities.
The symposium brought together colleagues from across North America, including teams from Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Montreal Botanical Garden, Toronto Botanical Garden, Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association, Desert Botanical Garden, Jardin de Métis, and many more.
A particular highlight was learning from the visionary teams behind the Longwood Gardens Conservatory expansion and Winnipeg’s own Leaf Conservatory project. Their insights gave us both inspiration and practical tools for our own conservatory expansion at Allan Gardens. The response to our presentation was deeply affirming — colleagues shared their excitement about our cultural-plant focus, describing it as both innovative and moving.
Landscape Architecture World Congress in Nantes
Earlier in the month, our team attended the World Congress in France, where we shared our work on horti(cultural) programming — weaving horticulture together with art, culture, and storytelling.
The Congress offered an extraordinary opportunity to exchange ideas with global leaders and reimagine the role of public spaces in addressing today’s most pressing challenges.
A moment that deeply resonated with us was Kongjian Yu’s keynote address, where he presented the transformative concepts of “sponge cities” and “sponge planets.” His call to design landscapes that work with nature — absorbing and releasing water in balance with ecosystems — struck a powerful chord.
We were saddened to learn of Kongjian Yu’s recent passing. His visionary ideas will continue to shape landscapes and inspire generations of designers and gardeners around the world.
Looking Ahead
From Winnipeg to Nantes, these conferences reminded us that Allan Gardens is part of a larger global movement — one where public gardens are not just green spaces, but living cultural institutions and catalysts for change.
We returned home with new partnerships, fresh ideas, and an even stronger sense of purpose.
Most of all, we feel more excited and prepared than ever to embark on Allan Gardens’ conservatory expansion — building on global best practices while staying rooted in the cultural stories and communities that make this place unique.
We’re more prepare than ever to give Toronto — the world’s most diverse city — the world-class botanical garden it deserves.