Arboretum Centre

Learn about the behaviour and adaptations of owls in the Guelph area. The introduction to this program will take place indoors, but dress warmly in preparation for a walk outdoors. This program is for adults and children under 14. Guest Naturalist: Wild Ontario staff. Fee: $10 per person PLUS a $10 fee per transaction (you can register multiple people in one transaction) Registration deadline: Jan. 17 (or Jan. 24 for the Feb. 1 session). Maximum 25 people.

Have you ever wondered what made those marks in the snow? In this full-day program we will learn how to track animals. We will study the tracks and signs of Ontario mammals and other types of wildlife. By the end of the day you will learn to identify and interpret animal tracks by looking at foot morphology, track patterns and gait analysis. The workshop will also include an introduction to scat identification. There is an outdoor component that will have…

No leaves? No problem! In this workshop you will learn about the variety of tree features that are useful for winter identification of deciduous trees. From bark to buds to leaf scars…you will get hands-on experience in reading these winter clues to tree ID. We will focus on native Ontario trees, and we’ll be spending part of the session outdoors, so please dress for the weather! Arboretum Director: Shelley Hunt Early Bird Fee: $80 by Feb. 13. Regular Fee: $90.…

In winter’s frigid grasp, insects, spiders and other invertebrates seem to vanish from the surface of the earth. Knowing what to look for and where to find these hidden creatures make cold-weather expeditions far more enjoyable. During this half-day program, we will search for goldenrod gallfly larvae and caterpillars that hide in burrs, learn how woolly bears forecast the severity of winter’s blast, and discover a great variety of other “bugs” that are surviving their most challenging season. Photographs, hands-on…

Reptiles are the most at risk group of flora or fauna in Ontario. We have a variety of amazing species, many of which are largely unknown or overlooked by many outdoor enthusiasts due to their secretive nature. Every one of our turtle species is in need of help and learning about these adorable creatures is an excellent way to assist. Snakes are often misunderstood and maligned and we hope to change this by teaching the truth about these animals and…