A Living Classroom

Sprawling over six acres of beautifully landscaped gardens in Strathroy, Ontario, the Mac Cuddy Botanic Garden—a satellite location of the Fanshawe College Botanical Gardens—is known across North America for its array of unique and endangered plant species and commitment to horticulture excellence. Founded by A.M. (Mac) Cuddy and Patricia Van Omen Cuddy, and donated to Fanshawe College to enhance student learning and carry on Mr. Cuddy’s passion for garden development, the estate has evolved into one of Ontario’s premier plant collections. Soon, it will undergo an exciting expansion.

The Mac Cuddy Botanic Garden is an ideal space for students in the Horticultural Technician and Horticultural Technician Apprentice programs to learn in a unique, hands-on environment. The expansion of the garden will enhance learning opportunities for students and continue to serve the community. It will include renovations to learning and event space, the release of a coffee table book and strategy development for the space’s future use.

The expansion will also allow for new opportunities in research, community partnerships and enterprise projects such as plant sales and special events. “The intention for the expansion is to allow for further internal and external collaboration for the garden,” says Dana Morningstar, associate dean in the School of Design at Fanshawe. “It will be an opportunity to share this beautiful and valuable space for others to enjoy, grounded in our teaching and learning expertise.”

Students in a variety of programs, including Interior Design, Fine Art, Photography, Landscape Design and other environmentally focused programs will have the opportunity to access the Mac Cuddy Botanic Garden for their studies.

The School of Design is seeking to have the Fanshawe College Botanical Gardens accredited by the Botanic Gardens Conservatory International (BGCI)—making Fanshawe the only college in Canada to achieve this designation.