Calendar

Join an experienced urban forester for an interactive, hands-on training session to increase your Tree ID skills. This workshop will cover common tree species found in Ontario, natural history knowledge, keys and tips and tricks for identifying tree species. * Also offered as part of the Ontario Naturalist Certification Course Level I. WORKSHOP DATE Saturday June 22, 2019 9:00 am[...]

Develop your wildflower identification skills as we focus on the vast array of wildflowers in bloom at this time of year — including some more-difficult-to-ID species. In addition, we will discuss topics that are “beyond the field guide,” such as the meanings behind some of the Latin names, plus various strategies wildflowers use to get pollinated, disperse their seeds, and[...]

Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation in Nature This unique three-week summer course will help you to cultivate the practice and attitudes of mindfulness meditation in daily life by learning from your own experiences and from the wisdom of nature. Cultivating mindfulness enhances our ability to connect with nature and reinforces its benefits. Practicing mindfulness in nature can help us get to[...]

DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES* Learn about the fascinating biology and migration of some of the world’s most ancient flying animals: the dragonflies and damselflies! Join an Odonata expert for a whirlwind tour of these strikingly beautiful insects, and venture outdoors to learn some in-the-field identification while observing dragonflies and damselflies in their natural habitats. * Also offered as part of the[...]

Enjoy the combined benefits of forest therapy and yoga! This three-hour session, led by Ameeta Dudani, starts with an indoor yoga session and ends with a gentle experience in nature. In forest therapy, the guide opens the door and the forest is the therapist. The aim is to get you out of your head to get to know yourself better[...]

First, receive a detailed introduction to the basics of astronomy through an indoor presentation. Learn your way around the night sky in an amazing portable planetarium. Next, we’ll venture out into the darkness for naked-eye viewing of constellations, more detailed observations with binoculars (provided) and viewing planets and deep-sky objects through telescopes of amateur astronomers. WORKSHOP DATE Wednesday July 17,[...]

Learn about the only mammals that can fly, and discover how their incredible echo-location system works! The evening will begin with a presentation covering a wide variety of bat-related topics. The participants will then go out onto the Kortright Centre property to view live bats as they forage for insects overhead and will try to identify them using sophisticated audio[...]

This workshop will give you a close-up look at these beauties of nature. Learn all about butterfly biology and identification, their amazing knack for mimicry and their role in our environment. Then go out and look for these incredible insects in the field. * Also offered as part of the Ontario Naturalist Certification Course Level I. WORKSHOP DATE Saturday July[...]

Learn the basics of nature photography under the tutelage of a professional photographer. This in-depth photography workshop will consist of instruction and practice on macro photography and in the field landscape photography. Cameras and tripods not provided; please bring your own. WORKSHOP DATE Sunday July 21, 2019 1:00 to 4:00 pm PRICING $59 + HST  

This workshop will give you an up-close and personal look into the lives of these incredible insects. Learn all about bee biology and identification, their role in our environment, and the threats to their health. We will also tour the active hives and bee education centre at the Kortright Centre. Build a native bee habitat to take home! * Also[...]

Bird watching is one of the most popular hobbies in North America — and with a wide variety of birds living in our backyards, nearby parks and outdoor spaces, it’s easy to understand why. This workshop is a fun and educational introduction to birding, covering topics such as bird identification, bird anatomy, how to choose and use binoculars and where/when[...]

This full-day session will be split between the study of ferns and grasses. Ferns are an ancient species of vascular plant. Their history long precedes seed plants and they rely on minute spores to reproduce. Learn the biology, habitat requirements and characteristics of ferns necessary to identify them in the field. Grasses are an abundant species in ecosystems throughout Ontario.[...]

Join us for a day exploring the Kortright Centre property. The Kortright Centre is a local hotspot for bird activity. In addition to our resident bird species, we’ll watch for fall migrants, including warblers and other songbirds and raptors. Binoculars will be available to borrow, but please bring your own if you have them. WORKSHOP DATE Sunday, September 15, 2019[...]

Think you have the skills to survive in nature? Want to put those skills to the test? Register for our Ancient Technologies II class which includes an overnight in your self-built shelter. In this class, we’ll take the topics introduced in Ancient Technologies I and apply them to a real survival situation. You’ll need to build your shelter for the[...]

A hands-on workshop featuring live reptiles from around the province! Learn from Jeff Hathaway of Scales Nature Park how to identify and conserve Ontario’s snakes, turtles, and lizards. Learn about threats and conservation issues, key identification features, distribution, handling techniques, and much more! Participants will have the opportunity to handle various live species. * Also offered as part of the Ontario[...]

Invertebrates make up about 97% of the world’s species — and yet they seem to attract the least attention from naturalists. This session will move beyond “charismatic” invertebrate species and delve deeper into their world. There are approximately 30 phyla of invertebrates, but for the purposes of this course we will focus on the Mollusca (snails, slugs, etc.), Annelida (earthworms,[...]

Bryophytes are a group of small herbaceous non-vascular land plants that includes mosses, liverworts and hornworts. Mosses and liverworts share the same habitat and can be often found growing together. In this module we will take a closer look at these species and begin to learn how to identify them in the field. ** Also offered as part of the[...]

Think you know what made that mark in the snow? Join us for a half-day workshop to learn to identify the tracks and sign of Ontario’s wildlife. PLEASE NOTE: Previous tracking experience or participation in our online Introduction to Mammal Tracking course is a prerequisite. ** Also offered as part of the Ontario Naturalist Certification Course Level II. WORKSHOP DATE[...]

Fungi (mushrooms) have long been prized in the culinary world. Lesser known is their important ecological role as decomposers that recycle dead plants into nutrients used by other plant life. This module will look into the ecosystem role, biology and identification of these great decomposers. ** Also offered as part of the Ontario Naturalist Certification Course Level II. WORKSHOP DATE[...]

Join Wild Ontario’s naturalists for an evening all about birds of prey! In the first part of this program we’ll cover the basics of biology, natural history and identification. Then meet some of Wild Ontario’s special (feathered) guests, up close and personal. Finally, head out for a walk on the trails as we try to hear, or maybe even see,[...]