In-Person: Eco-Art Therapy
This full-day, immersive Eco-art therapy session is aimed at providing an experience where you will interact with and share nature-based experiences to help bring hope, resilience, and positivity in your life right now. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on components of Ecopsychology as well as Eco-Art Therapy. Participants will be introduced to
Shinrin – Yoku Walk (In-person)
Inspired by Shinrin-Yoku, a Japanese term that translates into “Forest Bathing” in English, discover a gentle way of moving mindfully through nature. Led by Canada's Forest Therapy Guide and Trainer,
Arboretum Expo: Tree Day! + Plant Sale
A community celebration of trees and the many exciting things happening in the Arboretum lands! Join us for tours of the grounds, trails, gardens, research projects, tree climbing demonstrations, and
Trees. Listen
Kicking off Arboretum Expo Weekend 2024, The Arboretum presents the world premiere of a new composition for harp! Trees. Listen by Sharlene Wallace and Frank Horvat is inspired by Dr. Diana Beresford-Kroeger's knowledge of trees and the Celtic tree-based Ogham alphabet. The 9-part composition will premiere the evening of Friday, September 6, and outdoor installations
Family Pond Study (In-person)
Discover the hidden wonders of pond life with our Family-oriented Pond Study! This aquatic adventure is perfect for parents and kids alike, offering a hands-on exploration of the fascinating creatures that call our ponds home. From frogs to backswimmers, you'll get an up-close look at a variety of pond dwellers and learn about how their
Hunters, Fishers and Trappers: The Amazing Life of Spiders (In-person)
In this day-long workshop, participants learn about the fascinating life stories and identification tips about our most important invertebrate predators, the spider. Participants will venture outside for part of the day learning how to find and identify some of our amazing local arachno-fauna, discover first-hand why most insects are arachnophobic, and how we can (and
A Nation’s Table Documentary Premiere
Ask a farmer, a fisher, a chef and a home cook to define 'Canadian food' and you'll get four different answers. After all, the food found in Canada is as diverse as the people who live here. A brand new documentary short film, A Nation's Table, explores the life's work of Anita Stewart, the "patron
Identification and Biology of Butterflies (In-person)
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
Ontario Insects (In-person)
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
Dragonflies and Damselflies (In-person)
Ontario is home to over 150 species of Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies), many of which are common in the Guelph area. Most species can be identified with a field guide and pair of binoculars. Participants learn about these beautiful creatures, their fascinating lives, and see why they are an important part of our local ecosystems.
Tree Identification Workshop (In-person)
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
Birdwatching Hike (in-person)
Spring has sprung, and there's no better time for birdwatching at The Arboretum! Migratory birds are making their way north from their tropical winter destinations, and our feathered residents have romance on the brain. Come on out for a walk around the Arb in search of whatever birds the day may provide. This is a
Wellness Workshop at The Arboretum – “Immerse in the Synergy of the Natural World”
We cordially invite you to join a unique Wellness Workshop at the beautiful, 400-acre sprawling The Arboretum, U of Guelph, on June 7, 2024, and "Immerse in the Synergy of
Drawn to Nature: Nature Journaling Workshop (In-person)
Slow down and learn to see the beauty of nature like you’ve never noticed before! Nature Journaling is a great way to connect more deeply with nature and learn to strengthen your skills of observation. Designed for beginners of all ages, this workshop will teach you the fundamentals of nature journaling and give you the
Birdwatching Hike (in-person)
Spring has sprung, and there's no better time for birdwatching at The Arboretum! Migratory birds are making their way north from their tropical winter destinations, and our feathered residents have romance on the brain. Come on out for a walk around the Arb in search of whatever birds the day may provide. This is a
Drawn to Nature Hike (In-person)
Curious about nature journaling but don’t know where to start? Join us for an afternoon hike where we slow down and strengthen our skills of observation through nature journaling. Nothing fancy is needed to get started with nature journaling, bring a notebook or sketchbook and something to write with (or which ever materials you prefer)
Sensational Snakes of Ontario (In-person)
Snakes are often misunderstood and maligned. We would love to change the negative perception of these animals by teaching the truth about them. Please join us at this workshop and learn to identify and understand our native Ontario species of snakes. We will cover their habits, ranges and habitats. Live specimens will be available to
Wonderous Wildflowers: Spring Blooms Workshop (In-person)
Spring has arrived and the flowers are beginning to bloom! Join us to explore the wonderous world of spring wildflowers. In-classroom learning will focus on foundational botany and an introduction to the plant families we might encounter during the springtime. Visiting Arboretum sites like Victoria Woods, Wild Goose Woods, and the close to the public
Pond Workshop (In-Person)
Ponds teem with a diversity of organisms that conduct their lives largely unseen below the surface. This workshop will kick off with a slide show that will dive beneath the surface to reveal some of these fascinating creatures including frogs, fairy shrimp and salamanders. The importance of vernal pools will be highlighted. These temporary ponds
Terrific Turtles of Ontario (In-person)
We have 8 different amazing species of turtles in Ontario, but a frightening fact is that all 8 of these species are listed as ‘at risk’ in our province. Come and take advantage of the opportunity to meet live specimens of many of these species and learn about their individual habits and skills for surviving
