The Wheaton Walk Through Time, an outdoor interpretive exhibit along the southeast side of the Earth Sciences Building, has received an Award of Excellence from the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects. 

Completed in 2022, the exhibit transforms the pedestrian route between the Pacific Museum of Earth and the Beaty Biodiversity Museum into a 110-metre linear timeline through 4.5 billion years of Earth history. The installation presents geological and biological change in 100-million-year intervals, helping visitors experience the scale of geological time and key evolutionary milestones as they walk between the museums. Ending with the Tree of Life at the entrance of the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, the exhibit highlights the connection between biodiversity, evolution, and Earth’s changing environments, while underpinning the value of collaboration between earth and ecological sciences. 

Designed by PWL Partnership Landscape Architects Inc., the project was lauded for its ability to communicate “complex geological and biological concepts through spatial sequencing, materiality, colour and form.” The award recognises the exhibit’s success in turning scientific research and museum interpretation into an accessible public learning experience.

EOAS congratulates everyone involved in bringing the project to life, from the original 2014 concept proposed by Tara Ivanochko and Stuart Sutherland during the early planning of the Earth Sciences Building, through the multi-year design and development process from 2018–2022. This included leadership from Kirsten Hodge and the Pacific Museum of Earth team in shaping the interpretive experience, in close collaboration with the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, PWL Partnership Landscape Architects, EOAS, and the Faculty of Science Development Office. EOAS also gratefully acknowledges the support of Wheaton Precious Metals, whose contribution made the Wheaton Walk Through Time possible.