April 27, 2005 Edmundston, New Brunswick The New Brunswick Botanical Garden in Edmundston will hire an internationally renowned consultant to oversee the planning and design of a mosaiculture garden. The vice- president of the Université de Moncton- campus of Edmundston, and the financing partners announced the project today. Thanks to a contribution from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and financial support from the Province of New Brunswick and the City of Edmundston, the New Brunswick Botanical Garden hopes to attract a greater number of visitors with the planned addition of a permanent mosaiculture or carpet bedding garden display. Located in an area adjacent to the Botanical Garden's main entrance, it'll cover an area of about three acres. This new display will enable the Botanical Garden to attract a greater number of visitors, which will have a positive impact on the region's tourism and economic development. "The Government of Canada, through ACOA, is proud to invest $72,000 for the development of a plan for this new tourist attraction that will benefit the entire Madawaska," announced Jean-Claude D'Amours, MP for Madawaska- Restigouche, speaking on behalf of the Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister of ACOA. "Tourism is a vital sector of New Brunswick's economy. The Botanical Garden's project is perfectly in keeping with the Government of Canada's strategy to focus on local and sectorial development, as this will stimulate the economy of the entire region." "We are pleased to provide assistance towards the human resources needed for this project, with our contribution of $16,000," said Training and Employment Development Minister Margaret-Ann Blaney. "It is another example of our Government's commitment to Investing In People, and investing in our communities through strategic projects such as this one." M. Gérald Allain, mayor of Edmundston, is very pleased with this new initiative for New Brunswick's Botanical Garden, and with the support received from the Government. "The New Brunswick Botanical Garden is essential to the development of the tourism industry in both this region and the province as a whole. The Garden will be an unquestionable and distinctive tourism draw for Edmundston. As the City of Edmundston has been an active partner in this project for some time, we are proud to be a part of this initiative." The City is contributing $8,000 toward the project. "The Université de Moncton - Edmundston campus is very happy with today's announcement. This investment demonstrates the confidence our partners have in our potential to achieve our goals," said Paul Albert, Vice- President of the Université de Moncton - Edmundston campus. "We have no doubt that the splendid tridimensional structure of Malobiannah, prepared by the employees of the Botanical Garden for the International Mosaiculture in Montreal in 2003, will help us to rise higher. The Université de Moncton - Edmundston campus is proud to assist in the management of such a floral treasure at the Botanical Garden. The installation of a mosaicultural garden has the potential to elevate the Botanical Garden to new heights and create a haven that is truly unique in its field. In 2003, the NB Botanical Garden greatly distinguished itself at the Montreal international carpet bedding competition (Mosaiculture International Montreal 2003), where it's creation won the second prize. The Botanical Garden will therefore be drawing on a very positive past experience in creating this permanent mosaiculture display. The project will allow it to increase its visibility by promoting an original concept that is novel and unique in Atlantic Canada. It will also maximize the use of the site, providing visitors with an even more captivating experience. Indeed, the Botanical Garden already has a vacant piece of land bordering the Madawaska River, with a topography that particularly lends itself to the creation of a mosaiculture garden. Mosaiculture constitutes the most spectacular and difficult- to-master horticultural technique. Mosaiculture has its roots in the parterre gardens of the Renaissance period. Carefully selected plant species are used to create different motifs, shapes and images. Very neatly trimmed plants are also transformed into sculptures. During the Renaissance, the strict rules of this art were based on very precise standards of size, flower density and colour. More flexible rules now permit the use of traditional annuals to create mixed plant beds and a greater range of colours. Located at the gateway to the province, the New Brunswick Botanical Garden is open from early June to mid-October. Spread over an area of more than seven hectares, the site is home to nine theme gardens and over 800,000 plants. Its mission is threefold: tourism, education and science. The New Brunswick Botanical Garden employs four full-time workers and about 35 seasonal workers and students. In 2004, over 20,000 visitors from Quebec, Ontario, the Eastern United States and New Brunswick toured the Garden. - 30 - Valérie Poulin Director of Communications Office of the Honourable Joseph McGuire Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (613) 941 7241 Gérald Allain Mayor of Edmundston (506) 739-2115 Stéphanie Bilodeau Senior Communications Officer ACOA NB (506) 452-3304 Daniel Bélanger Director, NB Botanical Garden (506) 737-5151 Shawn Hearn Director, Marketing and Public Information Training and Employment Development (506) 453-2568
