Workshops

This course will guide you through the process of creating an exciting garden design for yourself. You will watch me go through the process with a sample garden, step by step, and then repeat the process with your garden.

I am a big believer in learning the "WHY" and not just the "HOW". I'll not only show you what I do, but also explain why I am doing it. Once you understand the why, the how becomes so much easier to learn and understand.

THIS COURSE WILL COVER THE FOLLOWING:
• Evaluating your current garden and creating a site survey for it.
• The Landscape Design Workbook will help you develop the all important wants and needs list
• You will learn how to use the internet to get great design ideas.
• How to use shapes to create innovative designs
• I'll show you how to create a final landscape design

At the end of the course you will have a garden design that is ready to implement.

Fee: $40 (plus HST) per person. (This fee includes all 4 sessions.)

 

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 in nature.

At this workshop we will also cover how to identify turtle species, their habitats and ranges in Ontario. Most importantly we will teach you how to help turtles and hopefully preserve these adorable creatures for future generations to enjoy. Each registrant that attends the workshop will receive a copy of our Reptile Identification Sheet.

*Maximum 18 adults.

Fee: $64 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of April 11, 2024. After April 11 the fee is $74 plus HST.

 

 

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 are crucial to the reproductive success of various creatures including wood frogs, fairy shrimp and spotted salamanders.

A variety of live pond animals will be on hand as well. The outdoor investigation will follow. We’ll visit both permanent and vernal ponds found at the Arboretum, equipped with dip nets. We’ll catch and identify organisms, discuss their unique ecologies, and then release them back into their watery worlds. Each participant that attends the workshop will receive a copy of our Pond Life Biodiversity Identification Sheet.

Fee: $64 (plus HST) per person, per session if booked prior to the early bird deadline of April 12, 2024. After the early bird date the fee is $74 plus HST per 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 Nature Reserve, participants will be able to test their new knowledge with hands-on identification practice. Going “beyond the field guide” we will also explore the ecology and history of these spring-time blooms. This workshop is perfect for those looking to dive into the world of spring wildflowers and develop their field identification skills. A hand lens and wildflower field guide is recommended but not required. Registrants in attendance will receive a copy of our Spring Woodland Wildflower booklet.

*Maximum 18 adults.

Fee: $98 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of April 24, 2024. After April 24 the fee is $108 plus HST.

 

 

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 provide opportunities to interact with some of our native snake species. This hands-on experience is a safe and fun way to get up close and personal with types of snakes that could be encountered in the wild in our province. Our captive bred specimens are lovely ambassadors for their kind. Each registrant that attends the workshop will receive a copy of our Reptile Identification Sheet.

*Maximum 18 adults.

Fee: $64 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of April 25, 2024. After April 25 the fee is $74 plus HST.

 

 

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) and come explore The Arboretum while learning the basics of nature journaling.

Please bring the following supplies:

• A sketchbook or notebook
• Pencil & eraser or other writing utensils
• Optionally, you may chose to bring any other supplies you'd like to use in your nature journal, but they are not required (e.g. pens, pencil crayons, markers, travel watercolor kit, etc.) - keep in mind we will be hiking around and your materials will need to be portable - less is more when starting out with nature journaling!

*Maximum 20 adults.

Fee: $12 (plus HST) per person.

 

 

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.

Do you love trees but can’t tell an Ash from a Walnut, a Birch from a Beech, or a Spruce from a Fir? Are you looking to connect more with the natural world around you? Join Shelley Hunt, U of Guelph course instructor and former Arboretum Director, for a virtual, interactive tree identification workshop. Over the course of 4 Zoom sessions, with hands-on challenges to complete in between, you will learn the basics of tree ID, with a focus on native Ontario species (and their look-alike non-native counterparts). You will learn about the important features to look for (e.g. leaf shape and arrangement, bark characteristics, fruits and cones), as well as the details that help us to distinguish between species in the same group (e.g. Ashes, Pines, Maples). You will practice your skills on trees that you can find in your local area, and get feedback on your ‘homework’. The fourth session will include a virtual tour of trees in The Arboretum's collections. 

Please Note: This course is only on-line. A separate in-person course is also available on July 5th.
We also send recordings out after each session, so if you miss a session you can watch the recording. The recordings are avaialble for one month after the end of the workshop.

Fee: $50 (plus HST) per 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 skills to start your own nature journal. Much of the day will be spent outside, getting hands on practice with nature journaling, as well as some in-classroom time focusing on theory. A list of suggested materials will be made available to participants, although no specialized materials are needed.

Please bring the following supplies:

• A sketchbook or notebook
• Pencil & eraser or other writing utensils
• Optionally, you may chose to bring any other supplies you'd like to use in your nature journal, but they are not required (e.g. pens, pencil crayons, markers, travel watercolor kit, etc.)

*Maximum 18 adults.

Fee: $90 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of May 30, 2024. After May 30 the fee is $100 plus HST.

 

 

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 June 27. If you register after June 27 the fee is $104 (plus HST).

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. 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 July 2, 2024. After July 2 the fee is $107 plus HST.

 

 

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 14, 2024. After July 14 the fee is $104 plus HST.

 

 

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. Regsitrants 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 15, 2024. After July 15 the fee is $94 plus HST.

 

 

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 should) help our local spider population. Registrants in attendance will receive a copy of our Spider Booklet.
*Maximum 18 adults.

Fee: $100 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of August 29, 2024. After August 29 the fee is $110 plus HST. Note: If we don't have enough registrations by the early bird deadline the course may be cancelled.

REGISTRATION COMING SOON.

 

 

This program is offered to specifc groups. If you would like more information please contact us.
Fee: FREE!
This online series is catered to University of Guelph international students and other community members new to Canada. New to the area? Come with us to explore The Arboretum and learn about what you can find in nature throughout the winter, spring, summer, and fall!
Visit the Nature Throughout the Seasons for International Students and New Canadians Series program page to learn more and register for upcoming dates. Please note that at this time this program is being offered to special group instead of as a public program. If you are part of a group that is interersted please contact us for further information.