U of G News

Baby Steps - Forest Therapy for Newborns or Infants and their Caregiver
2026-10-09 10:30 - 11:45, 2026-10-02 10:30 - 11:45, 2026-09-25 10:30 - 11:45, 2026-09-18 10:30 - 11:45, 2026-09-11 10:30 - 11:45, 2026-09-04 10:30 - 11:45 (America/Toronto) | Arboretum, 250 Arboretum Road, Guelph, N1G 2W1
Fridays, September 4, 11, 18, 25, October 2, and 9, 2026
10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Format: In-Person
Instructor: Giulia Pozzi
Join Giulia, a mother, artist, and certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide in a series of low-key, slow-paced, and restorative Forest Therapy sessions.
Life with a new baby is complex: poor sleep, fussiness, and isolation can all be part of the journey. While there is so much to celebrate, sometimes we also need space to process all the changes that come with parenthood and even grieve aspects of our pre-baby lives. During our time together we will slow down, reconnect to our senses, and allow whatever feelings arise to be gently held by the land, all while witnessing the changing colors of the fall.
What is Forest Therapy? It originated in Japan in the 80s, today it is practiced all over the world. Research shows us the benefits of regular, intentional sessions with nature, which include lower blood pressure and stress levels, relief of low mood states, and increased sense of wellbeing and meaning. No previous experience is needed.
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. A space that honours the realities of caring for a new baby; changing diapers, nursing, crying babies, strollers and carriers, all is welcome!
Closing tea ceremony (please provide your own snacks).
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: $55 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of August 27, 2026. After

Bird Anatomy Illustration - Songbirds
2026-10-03 13:00 - 15:30 | Arboretum, 250 Arboretum Road, Guelph, N1G 2W1
This single-session program will provide a basis for understanding the anatomy of birds through illustration. The program will not only provide attendees with the background to illustrate anatomically correct birds but will also provide a basic understanding of anatomy and ID tips for introductory birders. The goal is to increase the appreciation of the public towards these beautiful creatures and encourage us to work collaboratively to preserve the natural world. This workshop will focus solely on songbird anatomy, and will be divided into 4 sections, each with a 20-minute break in between for questions and practice. We will investigate feather structure and feather groupings on the head, wings, body, and tail, and end off with some ID and illustration tips! Excited to see you there!
Materials: Please bring a sketch book, pencil (mechanical recommended), eraser, and a black or blue pen.
*Maximum 15 adults.
Fee: $40 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of September 26, 2026. After September 26 the fee is $50 plus HST.
*REGISTRATION COMING SOON!

Shinrin-Yoku
2026-09-26 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-10 13:00 - 16:00 | Arboretum Centre, 250 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada
Step into the healing power of nature with a guided Shinrin Yoku session at the Arboretum in Guelph. Also known as “forest bathing,” Shinrin Yoku is a gentle, meditative practice that originated in Japan, inviting you to slow down, awaken your senses, and deepen your connection to the natural world. Over the course of approximately three hours, you’ll be guided through a series of mindful invitations to engage with the forest atmosphere in a way that promotes relaxation, clarity, and well-being. Whether you’re new to the practice or returning for a deeper experience, this immersive journey offers a meaningful way to unwind and reconnect, with nature and with yourself.
D’Arcy Meloche is a Registered Horticultural Therapist and certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide with over 25 years of experience helping individuals connect with nature for health and healing. Based in Guelph, Ontario, D’Arcy works as a Horticultural Therapist at Homewood Health Centre, where he supports therapeutic recovery through plant-based and outdoor programs. Eight years ago, he expanded his practice by earning qualifications in Nature and Forest Therapy, blending his deep horticultural knowledge with evidence-based techniques that invite restorative experiences in natural settings. His approach is grounded, compassionate, and rooted in decades of hands-on work with both plants and people.
Fee: $65 (plus HST) per person, per session if you register by the early bird deadline 8 days prior to the workshop (ie. May 21 / July 2 / September 18). After the early bird deadline the fee is $75 plus HST. Please note that each of the three dates are an individual workshop; they are not a series.

Sit Spot Club
2026-09-23 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-09-16 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-09-09 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-09-02 09:30 - 10:30 | Arboretum, 250 Arboretum Road, Guelph, N1G 2W1
Wednesdays beginning September 2, 2026,
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Format: In-Person
Instructor: Giulia Pozzi
Do you wish you could spend more time in nature but are struggling to find the commitment? Come join Sit Spot Club, facilitated by certified Forest Therapy Guide Giulia Pozzi!
A Sit Spot is a special place in nature that you visit regularly. This quiet, meditative practice will help you soften and relax, be more present, connect to the land, and build community with likeminded people. It also helps with routine building and focus, and best of all? We will witness this beautiful land together as we transition into fall weather!
How does it work? We will start with an opening circle, after which we will go separate ways to our sit spots. After 40 minutes you will be called back to closing circle, during which we will have the opportunity to share.
What to bring:

a journal and drawing supplies, if desired
something to sit on
water bottle and snacks
appropriate clothes for the weather

This program is FREE. We are asking you to register so that we have your e-mail address to communicate with you in the case of changes or cancellations due to weather etc. When registering we understand that you may not be able to attend every week, but we would love to see you as often as possible.
Age 12 years old and older. Please note that there is no supervision for youth. If supervision is required an adult must attend with the youth.

Tree Identification
2026-09-19 09:00 - 16:00 | Arboretum, 250 Arboretum Road, Guelph, N1G 2W1
This full-day program helps participants refine their skills to identify trees in Ontario. The focus of the workshop is on learning the important identification characteristics of difficult tree groups such as the cherry, oak and walnut families as well as the easier groups such as ash and maple. The afternoon is spent outside identifying trees in the forest as well as young, cultivated trees with their Eurasian counterparts in the World of Trees collection. Participants are encouraged to bring their field guides and binoculars. Each registrant that attends the workshop will receive a copy of our Tree Leaves Biodiversity Sheet.
Fee: $94.00 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of September 11. If you register after September 11 the fee is $104 (plus HST).

Tree Identification
2026-09-19 09:00 - 16:00 | Arboretum Centre, 250 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada
This full-day program helps participants refine their skills to identify trees in Ontario. The focus of the workshop is on learning the important identification characteristics of difficult tree groups such as the cherry, oak and walnut families as well as the easier groups such as ash and maple. The afternoon is spent outside identifying trees in the forest as well as young cultivated trees with their Eurasian counterparts in the World of Trees collection. Participants are encouraged to bring their field guides and binoculars. Each registrant that attends the workshop will receive a copy of our Tree Leaves Biodiversity Sheet.
Fee: $94.00 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of September 11. If you register after September 11 the fee is $104 (plus HST).

Guelph Jazz Festival Colloquium 2026 - Artists On/Off the Record: Living Archives and Embodied Memory
2026-09-11 08:30 - 16:00, 2026-09-10 13:00 - 23:00 | MacKinnon Building, 87 Trent Lane, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
In what ways can/do artists engage with archival materials—those held in institutional and community archives as well as those typically referred to as ephemera—to interrogate the aesthetic and political dimensions of cultural memory? How can/do they generate new, future-oriented archives through creative practice, research, and community-based work? To what extent can/do they enact and expand repertoires of embodied memory to build and sustain community?
The 2026 edition of the Guelph Jazz Festival Colloquium explores archival heritage as a dynamic, open-ended process. Bringing together artists, scholars, and community practitioners, it considers how archives are constituted, activated, contested, and transformed by—and in the hands of—artists engaged in improvisatory worldmaking.
Approaching archives as both accrued and curated, inherited and self-generated, the colloquium also attends to archives as living and embodied. Through presentations, creative works, and discussion, it foregrounds diverse perspectives, community engagement, experimental practices, and innovative methodologies that illuminate the aesthetic and political dimensions of cultural memory while imagining archives as sites of future possibility.
This event is free and open to all! Please RSVP by selecting a free ticket via EventBrite.

Full schedule with abstracts coming soon.

Birds for Beginners
2026-08-24 13:00 - 16:00 | J.C. Taylor Nature Interpretive Centre
If you’ve ever been interested in getting into the ever-increasingly popular hobby of birding, this workshop is for you! We’ll explore how to approach bird identification, the essential tools of the trade, and the incredible resources available to help you build confidence in the field. You’ll also learn practical tips for improving your observation skills and becoming a more effective birder overall. This workshop is designed for participants with little or moderate prior experience with birding and is suitable for anyone curious about getting started or looking to strengthening their foundational skills. The workshop will include an indoor presentation followed by a guided walk to practice and apply techniques in the field. Binoculars will be available to borrow. Participants will receive a Backyard Bird Biodiversity Sheet. Preregistration is required for this event.
*Maximum 18 people (ages 14+).
Fee: $54 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of August 14, 2026. After August 14 the fee is $64 plus HST.

Racialized Staff Alliance Welcome Event
2026-08-18 11:00 - 13:00 | Ontario
Join the Racialized Staff Alliance for a community welcome event on August 18! This gathering is an opportunity for racialized staff members to connect, build relationships, share experiences, and enjoy good food in a welcoming and supportive space.
Come together for a lunch from 11 a.m. -1 p.m. for conversation, community building, and connection. We look forward to celebrating our collective experiences, strengthening our network, and creating space for belonging and solidarity.
We hope to see you there! If you identify as a racialized staff and would like to RSVP to our event please email mehrotra@uoguelph.ca.

Virtual Shrub Identification
2026-07-28 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-07-21 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-07-14 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-07-07 19:00 - 20:00 | ONLINE, Ontario, Canada
Ontario has dozens of native shrub species, from dogwoods to viburnums, blackberries to spicebush, and everything in between. Where to start in learning to identify them? In this workshop, spread over 4 zoom sessions, we will cover basic shrub morphology and learn the key ID features of a wide variety of these diverse woody plants. The 4th session will include a virtual tour of shrubs in the Arboretum’s collections.
Fee: $50 (plus HST) per person.

Galls of Southern Ontario
2026-07-25 10:00 - 16:00 | J.C. Taylor Nature Interpretive Centre
Ever heard of a plant gall? If you haven’t, you’ve likely seen one before! Galls are among the most overlooked signs of biodiversity around us, appearing as strange lumps, bumps and growths on trees. But what purpose do they serve? How are they formed? How can we identify them? This workshop will answer all these questions and more. The workshop also includes an indoor presentation covering gall biology, diversity and ecology, followed by a guided walk to search and identify galls in the field. Preregistration is required for this event.

Identification and Biology of Butterflies
2026-07-14 09:00 - 16:00 | Arboretum Centre, 250 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada
This workshop has been designed to educate participants about butterflies and how to identify them in the wild. Topics covered include, butterfly natural history, capture techniques, field identification, tagging, migration, and creating and maintaining butterfly habitat. The workshop concludes outside catching and identifying the butterflies of The Arboretum. Registrants in attendance will receive a copy of our Butterfly biodiversity sheet.
*Maximum 18 adults.
Fee: $94 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of July 6, 2026. After July 6 the fee is $104 plus HST.

Ontario Insects
2026-07-13 09:00 - 16:00 | Arboretum Centre, 250 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada
This workshop introduces participants to all the major groups of insects in Ontario with a focus on how to recognize major groups or families, with special reference to the common species one is likely to encounter in both the backyard and in the field. This is a great introductory course for educators, field researchers, and those who wish to simply become familiar with the mini-wildlife of Ontario. Registrants in attendance will receive one of our insect biodiversity sheets. Note that the majority of this workshop will be spent out of doors regardless of weather, so dress appropriately!
*Maximum 18 adults.
Fee: $94 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of July 5, 2026. After July 5 the fee is $104 plus HST.

Odonate Count
2026-07-11 09:00 - 12:00 | Arboretum Centre, 250 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada
Join us for our second annual Odonate Count at The Arboretum! We will spend the day out on the Arboretum grounds searching for, catching, and identifying the Dragonflies and Damselfishes (Odonates) found here. As an inventory project, we will be using iNaturalist to document our findings, so please come with an iNaturalist account and have it downloaded on your phone.
This is a free event for those interested in helping us inventory the diversity of these incredible insects that call The Arb home. While experience with Odonate identification and capture is appreciated, this event is open to everyone willing to help. To learn how to identify dragonflies and damselflies, see our Dragonfly Workshop (information will be coming soon for this).
Nets will be provided for the duration of the count.
Check out our results from our first Odonate Count in 2025.
*Maximum 25 adults.
Fee: FREE

Dragonflies and Damselflies
2026-07-08 09:00 - 16:00 | J.C. Taylor Nature Interpretive Centre
Ontario is home to 150 species of Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies), many of which are common in the Guelph area. Participants learn about these beautiful creatures, their fascinating lives and discover why they are an important part of our ecosystem. This workshop includes an outdoor component of catching and identifying the dragonflies of the Arboretum. Each registrant that attends the workshop will receive a copy of our Dragonfly booklet.
Maximum 18 adults.
Fee: $97 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of June 30, 2026. After June 30 the fee is $107 plus HST.

Luckevich Pinchin Honey Bee Research Centre: Grand Opening – Open House
2026-06-27 14:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-26 14:00 - 19:00 | Honey Bee Research Centre, 460 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
The Honey Bee Research Centre is excited to announce our Grand Opening Open House, on Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27, 2026.
Guests will have the opportunity to explore our building and the apiary grounds, at 460 Stone Rd E, Guelph. The HBRC is located on the North side of Stone Rd E and we are the first driveway West of Victoria Rd S (right next door to our old building!). We are open to the public both Friday and Saturday, feel free to come by anytime during our Open House hours!
Our Open House will take place:
Friday, June 26 from 2 to 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 27 from 2 to 5 p.m.
We look forward to welcoming guests to our beautiful new facility at the Luckevich Pinchin Honey Bee Research Centre.
