The Garden Route Botanical Garden, established in 1996 at the base of the Outeniqua Mountains, came to life after the George Local Municipality granted permission to the BotSoc’s Garden Route Branch for its creation. In 1997, the Garden Route Botanical Garden Trust was set up to oversee the garden and the Southern Cape Herbarium, which is located at the George Museum. Spanning 19 hectares, the garden is dedicated to the conservation and exhibition of native plants from the Southern Cape, arranged in thematic display beds. Visitors can explore a well-marked collection of trees from the Southern Cape forests. This garden serves as a vital habitat for wildlife, hosting 52 species of butterflies, 26 species of damselflies, 10 species of frogs, 600 plant species, and 146 bird species. Additionally, the Garden Route NBG acts as a center for environmental education, community initiatives, and various regional plant conservation efforts.