U of G News

Trees and Books Walk
2026-06-06 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Toronto) | Arboretum Centre, 250 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada
Explore the complex relationship between nature and literature in this guided walk. We will look at the interaction between trees and books through a scientific and cultural lens. Learn about the role trees have played in storytelling, through their role in printmaking and how humans understand themselves and tell their stories. Gain a better understanding of biological concepts in arboriculture to help you “read” a tree and see how the characters of wind, sunlight and rain act as characters in each tree’s story.
Fee: $15 (plus HST) per person.

Plein Air Watercolour Workshop
2026-05-24 09:00 - 12:00 | Arboretum Centre, 250 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada
oin Artist Candice Leyland for an inspiring and immersive plein air watercolour class, where The Arboretum becomes your studio! Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a curious beginner, this class offers a unique opportunity to capture the beauty of the outdoors with vibrant watercolours.
What to Expect:

Expert Instruction: Learn from experienced artist who will guide you through techniques and tips for painting en plein air.
Beautiful Locations: Explore picturesque landscapes and let the natural surroundings inspire your creativity.
Hands-On Practice: Enjoy plenty of painting time with personalized feedback to help you improve your skills.
All Levels Welcome: Tailored instruction to suit all skill levels, from beginners to advanced artists.

Don’t miss this chance to enhance your artistic journey and connect with fellow art enthusiasts in a beautiful outdoor setting. Reserve your spot today and let your creativity flow!
Registrants must be age 14+.
Fee: $65 (plus HST) per person if you register before the early bird deadline of May 16, 2025. After that date the fee is $75 (plus HST) per person.

Botanical Sketching Workshop
2026-05-23 13:00 - 16:00 | Arboretum Centre, 250 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada
Are you interested in learning how to use sketching as a way to improve your plant identification skills? In this afternoon workshop Mary Anne Young will teach the basics of field botany and how to use sketching as a way to observe and record information to assist with identification. After learning techniques (both fast and slow) for capturing plant form, structure, and beauty we will practice our skills while exploring various collections and natural spaces of the Arboretum. All experience levels welcome.
Please bring the following supplies:

a sketchbook (min. 6×9” size)
pencils (one H, one HB, and one 2B recommended)

The art supplies are available for purchase at places such as Wyndham Art Supplies, Michaels, or Dollarama.
Fee: $55 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of May 15, 2026. After May 15 the fee is $65 plus HST.

Baby Steps - Forest Therapy for Newborns or Infants and their Caregiver
2026-05-15 11:15 - 2026-06-12 12:30, 2026-05-08 11:15 - 2026-06-05 12:30, 2026-05-01 11:15 - 2026-05-29 12:30, 2026-04-24 11:15 - 2026-05-22 12:30 | Arboretum Centre, 250 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada
Join Giulia, a mother, artist, and certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide in a series of low-key, restorative Forest Therapy events, as we witness the land waking up from winter!
It can feel hard to leave the house when sleep isn’t good or your baby is fussy. These sessions are tailored to the needs of new parents or caregivers and babies, and all are welcome.
Forest Therapy originated in Japan in the 80s. Today it is practiced all around the world and studies show the incredible benefits of regular, intentional sessions with nature, which include lower blood pressure and stress levels, relief of depressive states, and increased sense of wellbeing.
What to expect:

Gentle, flexible invitations to inspire you and your baby to engage with the natural world and each other
Moments of optional sharing as a group
Breastfeeding and chestfeeding welcome
Washroom with changing table available
Bring a blanket, baby carrier for naps and comfort, and all your baby gear and food, plus weather appropriate clothes for you and baby.

Disclaimer: This is not group therapy and Giulia is not a trained psychotherapist. The Forest is the Therapist, the Guide opens the door.
Maximum 20 adults with a child up to 1 year of age.
Fee: $50 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of April 16, 2026. After April 16 the fee is $60 plus HST. Registration is for all 5 sessions.

Faculty (and Staff) Writing Retreat 2026 - Hybrid
2026-05-08 09:15 - 16:00, 2026-05-07 09:15 - 16:00, 2026-05-06 09:15 - 16:00, 2026-05-05 09:15 - 16:00, 2026-05-04 09:15 - 16:00 | ONLINE and IN-PERSON, Ontario, Canada
Writing Services hosts this free, week-long retreat for University of Guelph’s faculty, staff, and visiting/postdoctoral scholars working on scholarly writing projects. More information on the Faculty (and Staff) Writing Retreat – FWR.
(IMPORTANT: Graduate students should apply for the Dissertation Writing Retreat.)
Dates: Monday to Friday, May 4 – 8, 2026 from 9:15 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Are you trying to find time to work on an article or book chapter? Register now for the 15th annual Faculty Writing Retreat (FWR).
The retreat offers an opportunity to build a supportive writing group with colleagues from across the university and to join in group discussions on writing and publishing. Individual consultations are also available.
Participants should plan to be available for all five days of the retreat. However, accommodations can be arranged.
Registration will be limited on a first-come, first-served basis.
Location: Hybrid on Zoom and in-person in a quiet, comfortable space in the McLaughlin Library.
There are two registration options, online and in person. You are welcome to participate both online and in person throughout this week.
Note: However, if you plan to attend any of the days in person, please register for the “in-person” option, as we require these numbers to help us prepare our classroom spaces.
If you have questions, please email library@uoguelph.ca.

Wonderous Wildflowers: Spring Blooms Workshop
2026-05-01 13:00 - 18:00 | Arboretum Centre, 250 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada
It’s that time of year again, the spring wildflowers are beginning to bloom! Our flowers like the trout lily, bloodroot, and trilliums only flower for a brief window in early spring, finishing all of their above-ground activity in a few short weeks. Join Christa Wise, Interpretive Naturalist at The Arboretum, to explore the fascinating world of our small but mighty spring wildflowers!
This workshop will focus on hands-on identification of spring wildflowers found in The Arboretum through visiting sites like Victoria Woods, Wild Goose Woods, and the Nature Reserve. In the classroom, we will also go beyond the field guide to learn the intricate ecology and history of these spring-time blooms.
This workshop is perfect for those looking to get hands-on experience with identification skills. Registrants will receive a copy of our Spring Woodland Wildflower booklet.
It is recommended to bring snacks, waterbottle, and appropriate outdoor attire as a significant portion of this workshop will be spent outside in The Arboretum.
*Maximum 18 adults.
Fee: $90 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of April 23, 2026. After April 26 the fee is $100 plus HST.

Virtual Lunch and Learn: Spring Wildflowers Workshop
2026-04-30 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-04-28 12:00 - 13:00 | Arboretum Centre, 250 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada
In Southern Ontario, we are lucky to have an incredible diversity of spring wildflowers, many of which only appear for a few weeks every year. Join Christa Wise, Interpretive Naturalist at The Arboretum, for these virtual sessions to learn what spring wildflowers might be popping up near you and how to identify them. These sessions will cover the identification of common species and we will discuss their unique natural history. Perfect for anyone wanting to improve their identification skills, get a spring refresh, or are curious about the flowers that appear every spring.
Fee: $20 (plus HST) per person for the series.

Spring Social for Faculty and Staff
2026-04-30 11:30 - 13:00 | University Centre, 150 Research Ln, Guelph, Ontario, N1G2W1, Canada
Thursday, April 30
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
University Centre
Join President Rene Van Acker for lunch and to connect with your colleagues as we celebrate the end of the academic year.
Lunch will be served in the courtyard with seating available throughout the main floor of the University Centre, in Branion Plaza, and Thornbrough atrium. Menu will be posted on U of G Insider closer to the event.
Get your free ticket.
Tickets will be required to attend the event.
Before claiming your ticket, faculty and staff will need to log into the ticket platform using the button in the top right corner that says “Log In / Register.”

Winter Storytelling Series
2026-04-24 10:30 - 12:00, 2026-03-27 10:30 - 12:00 | Arboretum Centre, 250 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada
Cara Loft is a Haudenosaunee Woman and staff member in the Office of Teaching and Learning at the University of Guelph. We are so grateful for her coming back to enrich our hearts, minds, bodies, and spirits throughout story this winter.
Friday March 27 – Story of the Maple (Instructors: Cara Loft and Melissa Ireland)
Friday April 24 – Mohawk Creation Story
We will start in a good way with song and smudge.
Fee: FREE (Registration required)

Introduction to the Professional and Career Development Record
2026-04-15 11:00 - 12:00 | ONLINE, Ontario, Canada
The Professional and Career Development Record (PCDR) is a tool built into Experience Guelph that formally recognizes a student’s involvement in on- and off-campus professional and career development activities, most notably experiential learning.
By the end of this virtual workshop, participants will be able to:

Explain the purpose of the PCDR.
List three benefits of the PCDR.
Summarize the critical components of a validated PCDR experience.
Use the Experience Guelph catalogue to search for validated PCDR opportunities.
Locate relevant resources on the EL website.

Woodcock Walk
2026-04-10 19:30 - 20:30, 2026-04-09 19:30 - 20:30 | Arboretum Centre, 250 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada
A breathtaking ascent to the skies, a graceful fall to the ground, and a mesmerizing, yet quirky, call… PEENT. The sky dance of the American Woodcock is a truly incredible spectacle, and we at The Arboretum invite you to join us in a search for this captivating display! Our Woodcock Walk begins at the Nature Centre, where we’ll unveil some of the mystery behind these aerial acrobats before heading into the field with hopes of witnessing their enchanting performance in person.
Fee: $12 (plus HST) per person.
Thursday, April 9 OR Friday, April 10, 2026, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.

One Health seminar: From Vector to Consequence; A One Health Approach to Lyme Disease Surveillance
2026-04-08 12:30 - 13:30 | OVC Enhanced Clinical Learning, 415 Gordon St., Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Kathleen Angell is a Postdoctoral Scholar in the G. Magnotta Research Lab at the University of Guelph, where her work bridges field and laboratory research on Lyme disease, integrating tick ecology with Borrelia transmission and host–vector interactions.

Virtual Creating Healthy Soil
2026-03-31 19:00 - 20:00 | Arboretum Centre, 250 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada
Join Robert Pavlis as he discusses how to create Healthy Soil. Below is a description of what he will discuss each week. You can sign up for one, two or all three of the workshops.

Week 1 – Soil Basics – What is soil and how do the basic components work together to provide a plant’s needs? How do various gardening techniques affect soil and what is good soil?
Week 2 – Nutrients and Fertilizers – The role nutrients play in plant health and how plants get their nutrients. The role of the rhizosphere. How and when to use synthetic and organic fertilizers.
Week 3 – The Secret to Healthy Soil – What is healthy soil and how does a gardener develop the best soil in the neighborhood to grow great plants.

Robert is a Master Gardener and garden writer who publishes two popular gardening blogs and has published several gardening books. He owns and operates a private botanical garden where he grows over 3,000 different varieties of plants.
Fee: $10 (plus HST) per person, per session. The cost for all 3 sessions is $30 (plus HST)

LaunchLab Expo
2026-03-31 12:00 - 16:00 | University Centre, Ontario, Canada
The John F. Wood Centre LaunchLab Expo is a drop-in showcase celebrating innovative student-founded ventures from the Hub Incubator’s LaunchLab program. The event highlights emerging entrepreneurs and gives them a platform to present their ideas, gather feedback, and connect with the campus and local community.
The Expo will take place on March 31, 2026, from noon to 4 p.m., on the University Centre main floor at the University of Guelph. Attendees are welcome to drop in at any time throughout the afternoon.
This is a great opportunity to meet student founders, explore exciting new ventures, and network with fellow students, faculty, staff, and industry and community members. Be sure to cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award, and as a thank you, everyone who votes will receive a free cookie! 🍪

March Open House 2026
2026-03-29 10:00 - 16:00 | University of Guelph
March Open House is for prospective students and families. It is your chance to get a snapshot of U of G academics, iconic traditions, living on campus, and resources for student success. Attend academic information sessions, tour campus and teaching facilities, explore our residences, and meet current students, staff and faculty.

WROL: Without Rule of Law
2026-03-28 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-03-27 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-03-26 20:00 - 22:00 | MacKinnon Building, 87 Trent Lane, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
The School of Theatre, English, and Creative Writing at the University of Guelph is pleased to present WROL: Without Rule of Law by Michaela Jeffery.

This show follows a group of teenagers who are driven to prepare for an apocalypse scenario. Feeling overlooked and powerless, they form a club for like-minded survivalists to train. What starts as lighthearted and imaginative slowly deepens into a more serious story as their fears, frustrations, and loyalty to each other grow stronger. After uncovering evidence linked to a mysterious group from the past, the reality of the situation forces them to confront trust, responsibility, and what it truly means to survive in the world they live in.

Tickets available on Eventbrite.

Signs of Spring Craft Show
2026-03-28 10:00 - 19:00, 2026-03-27 10:00 - 19:00 | University Centre Courtyard, Ontario, Canada
Signs of Spring Craft Show
Join us on March 27 and 28 at the University Centre, U of G.
Come explore unique handmade crafts, support local artisans & find One-Of-A-Kind treasurers! SHOP: Delicious Food, Jewelry, Soaps & Lotions, Pottery, Woodcrafts, and So Much More! For more information, Visit https://signsofspring.ca/ for more information. FREE Admission!
Hours:

Friday, March 27, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
