Enjoy learning on the land. The Kortright Centre for Conservation is pleased to offer a series of courses and workshops that cater to both amateur and professional naturalists looking to learn new skills in a fun and hands-on environment.

OUR PROGRAMS

ADULT NATURE WALK SERIES

Funding for this program is provided by the Government of Ontario’s Seniors Community Grant.

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is committed to creating an accessible experience for all participants. If you require an accessibility accomodation, please email Jennifer.Ouimette@trca.ca at least seven days prior to the event.

UPCOMING WALKS

DETAILS COMING SOON.

COURSES

At Kortright Centre for Conservation we understand that education is a lifelong process. To provide learning opportunities for our adult visitors, we have developed a series of adult courses, all taught by experts in the field, and designed to provide hands-on training that will allow you to apply your knowledge.

UPCOMING COURSES

Introduction to Beekeeping

Dates: Saturdays, May 3, May 31, June 7, July 5, August 9, September 6, and October 25, 2025
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cost: $360.00 + HST for the full course

This seven-part course provides information and hands-on opportunities for the beginner beekeeper. Led by experienced apiarists, the course walks participants through the active bee season from April to October.

Participants will learn about helpful hive equipment and materials, perform status checks of active hives, assess the health of the queen, control for pests and diseases, harvest honey, and prepare hives for winter.

Each session contains both in-class learning and hands-on experience in the bee yard with experts. Veils and jackets available on request.

COURSE OVERVIEW

Preparing for the Beekeeping Season
Saturday, May 3, 2025 | 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Study the basics of bee biology and learn which plants are most important for the health of your bees.

Opening the Hive after Winter
Saturday, May 31, 2025 | 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Learn how to properly open your hive after a long winter, how to check the health of the queen, and what to look for when monitoring for diseases.

Spring Hive Check
Saturday, June 7, 2025 | 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Acquire the knowledge to identify the different castes of bees, bee larvae, and eggs. Learn how to avoid swarming, and the appropriate time to add honey supers.

Summer Hive Check
Saturday, July 5, 2025 | 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
This class will focus on how to check the hives for diseases and pests such as AFB, chalk brood, wax moths, and varroa mites. Learn how to apply treatments to the hives if such diseases or pests are found. Honey supers will be added to hives as needed.

Fall Hive Check
Saturday, August 9, 2025 | 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
This class will focus on scaling the hives down for autumn, storage recommendations for honey supers, and protection against wax moths and other pests. Fall mite checks and treatment will also be discussed.

Honey Harvest
Saturday, September 6, 2025 | 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
This class will introduce the concepts of nectar flow and summer harvesting techniques. Learn the process of extracting honey from honeycomb. Participants will learn how to properly use a honey extractor and bottle honey.

Putting the Bees to Bed
Saturday, October 25, 2025 | 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
This class will focus on the process of preparing the colonies for winter. Hive wrapping, merging, and common winter beekeeping challenges will be covered.

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is committed to creating an accessible experience for all participants. If you require an accessibility accomodation, please email jennifer.ouimette@trca.ca at least seven days prior to the event.

Ontario Naturalist Level 1

Begins Saturday, April 12, 2025

Course Description: Learn a vast array of naturalist skills from experts in the field. This blended learning course, targeted at budding or amateur naturalists, combines in-class, hands-on instruction and self-paced online learning.

In this course, you will learn species identification, ecological significance, memory aids, and threats to local flora and fauna. This newfound knowledge will help you experience the natural world in a whole new way.

This course has a maximum cohort of 20 students to ensure high quality, individualized learning.

Select modules in this certification course are also available as individually priced workshops. See below.

Course dates and times will be determined based on the best season and time of day for wildlife viewing in the field, and speaker availability. Most sessions will be held on weekends, but at least one session will be scheduled on a weekday evening.

VIEW AND DOWNLOAD THE 2025 COURSE SCHEDULE.

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is committed to creating an accessible experience for all participants. If you require an accessibility accommodation, please email jennifer.ouimette@trca.ca.

Cost: $575.00 + HST*

WORKSHOPS

The Kortright Centre for Conservation is pleased to offer workshops that cater to both amateur and professional naturalists looking to learn new skills in a fun and hands-on environment.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

Natural Connections: Helping Others Develop a Lifelong Relationship with Nature

This session will cover current methods and practices in outdoor/environmental education. Working with an experienced outdoor educator, you will gain hands-on experience in delivering nature-based programs for people of all ages. A variety of activities and resources will be shared to support your own practice as a nature interpreter, helping others to develop a lifelong relationship with nature. Be prepared for an active day in the great outdoors!

Date & Time: Saturday, May 10, 2025 | 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $75.00 + HST

Introduction to Birds of Ontario

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 two-part module 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 to look for birds in Ontario. Part One will be hosted virtually, and Part Two will be hosted at Kortright Centre for Conservation.

Dates & Times:
Part One (Online): Wednesday, May 21, 2025 | 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Part Two (In-person): Saturday, May 24, 2025 | 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Cost: $109.00 + HST

Wildflower and Tree Identification

In this hands-on training session, you will learn how to identify trees and wildflowers in the field, focusing on common species found in the GTA. An expert facilitator will show you how to use a field guide and dichotomous key, while teaching you tips and tricks for identifying wildflower and tree species.

Date & Time: Sunday, June 8, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $75.00 + HST

Bees

This workshop will give you an up-close look into the lives of these incredible insects! Learn all about bumble bee biology and identification, their role in our environment, and threats to their health. You’ll be given hands-on opportunities to learn how to:

Date & Time: Saturday, July 5, 2025 | 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Cost: $60.00 + HST

Dragonflies and Damselflies

Learn about the fascinating biology, behavior, natural history, and migration patterns of some of the world’s most ancient flying animals: the dragonflies and damselflies! Join an expert naturalist 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.

Date & Time: Sunday, July 6, 2025 | 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $60.00 + HST

Butterflies of Ontario

This session will cover life cycles, habitat, and identification of common butterflies of Ontario. After learning the basics in the classroom, you will head out into the field to observe and identify butterflies in a variety of habitats found at the Kortright Centre.

Date & Time: Saturday, July 12, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $75.00 + HST

Fish Identification

Immerse yourself in the aquatic marvels of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) with our hands on workshop centered on the diverse array of local fish species.

Date & Time: Saturday, August 24, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Cost: $60.00 + HST

Birds of Prey

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 live birds of prey, up close and personal.

Date & Time: Wednesday, October 15, 2025 | 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Cost: $70.00 + HST

HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

Naturally Mindful: Silent Retreat in Nature

Date & Time: 
Sunday, May 25, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Cost:  $89.00 + HST

This five-hour silent retreat in nature will provide you an opportunity to experience various mindfulness in nature and mind-body practices that will allow you to rest your mind, connect with yourself and your body, and deepen your relationship to nature.

The day begins with an arriving circle, intention setting and sharing of guidelines for the day/orientation, before going into the period of silence. The facilitator will provide instructions throughout the time.

The silent practice period will begin with a gentle yoga class that will be followed by various mindfulness meditation practices that will be guided (i.e., including forest bathing, sitting meditation, walking meditation, eating meditation, self-compassion and/or gratitude practices) in a flow sequence, which helps the mind to settle and body to restore.

Being in silence within nature allows the mind to rest, and clarity and authenticity to emerge. In this world of endless distractions and noise, many people find silent time in the forest- with guidance- to be refreshing and healing. It can also be discomforting, and ways to work with discomfort and our thoughts, and to access the support of nature will be shared.

The silent retreat is a healing experience in community, supported by the beautiful natural environment of Kortright Centre and an experienced and skilled facilitator.

After ending the silent period, the retreat will end with a tea ceremony and sharing circle about our experiences (challenges and insights) from the day, which allows us all to connect and learn from each other, and a discussion of nature/mindfulness practice in daily life.

This retreat is a perfect introduction to a silent retreat experience (if you’ve never had one) and will help you deepen your mindfulness practice if you are an experienced practitioner. No prior experience with mindfulness or yoga is necessary; the yoga will be accessible to all levels and options will be provided. Simply arrive with an open mind and show up exactly as you are; you will be supported throughout the day.

For this retreat, please dress comfortably and wear warm layers, appropriate to the weather, as parts of the day will take place outdoors. Please also bring a light lunch that does not require heating up. Further information about what to bring will be emailed to participants before the retreat. This experience is suitable for adults and older teens.

This retreat is facilitated by Dr. Ameeta Dudani (drdudani.com), a Clinical Psychologist and experienced Mindfulness and Yoga teacher/Consultant.

Ameeta has been facilitating mindfulness programs for stress reduction since 2015, including clinical therapeutic programs, and has curated nature-based mindfulness programs for Kortright Centre and the Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary (Victoria, BC).

She believes that mindfulness is a superpower that promotes self- acceptance and healing from the inside out. She is a dedicated mindfulness meditation and yoga practitioner. Ameeta is a registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) and teaches trauma-sensitive yoga that is accessible to all levels and bodies.

She teaches yoga as a practice of mindfulness. She is trained in hatha yoga, yoga for anxiety and depression, accessible yoga and trauma sensitive yoga. Ameeta’s primary teachers of mindfulness are nature and all beings. Her practice is deeply influenced by Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh as well as by pioneers of the secular mindfulness movement such as Jon Kabat-Zinn and Daniel Siegel. Ameeta believes that by regularly (and deeply) immersing ourselves in nature we can truly care for ourselves, each other, and the planet.

TRCA is committed to creating an accessible experience for all participants. If you require an accessibility accommodation, please email jennifer.ouimette@trca.ca at least seven days prior to the event.

SUSTAINABILITY EDUCATION & TRAINING

The Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program offers a wide variety of workshops and certification programs at the Kortright Centre, for both professionals and homeowners.

These programs cover disciplines such as renewable energy technologies, green building technologies, and many more.

BROWSE PROGRAMS

Kortright’s Commitment to Excellence

• We offer Canada’s largest educational demonstrations of renewable energy and green buildings.
• Our staff members have more than 75 years of  combined experience in teaching about and installing photovoltaic (PV) systems.
• We maintain a low teacher-to-student ratio (maximum of 16 students).
• We offer the latest demonstrations of real systems ranging from:
  • 100 watts to 90 kw
  • Grid and off-grid systems
  • Sloped roof top flat, roof roof, integrated and tracking systems

SUSTAINABLE HOUSE TOURS

Take a guided tour or our two LEED Platinum-certified houses: one illustrating sustainable practices readily available today, the other demonstrating cutting-edge sustainable and renewable technologies on the horizon.

PUBLIC TOUR DATES:
• There are no public tours scheduled at this time.