Plant Science Field Station

What secrets does the Plant Science Field Station hold? We’re standing at the University of British Columbia, right in front of the Plant Science Field Station. This unassuming building on West Mall, built in 1964, has witnessed decades of groundbreaking plant science research. The Plant Science Field Station, designed by Morton Ramsey Associates, may look like a simple domestic building with its painted cedar siding. But inside, and in the surrounding fields, the mysteries of the plant kingdom are explored. The building is a hub for the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, specifically the plant science department. Did you know that Plant Care Services, which oversees the station, is a collaborative effort between the Faculties of Science, Forestry, and Land and Food Systems, and the Office of the Vice-President Research and Innovation? This collaboration has led to projects such as improving soil quality at UBC’s research fields and upgrading the heating system in the South Campus greenhouse. The Plant Science Field Station’s contributions extend beyond UBC. It supported the sunflower research that revealed how their invisible colours attract bees and help them adapt to drought. The station’s legacy continues to grow, fostering innovative research that impacts our understanding of the plant world.