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
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
Tree Identification
Date: Wednesday September 27, 2023
Time: 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Cost: $45.99
View Cancellation Policy.
Join an experienced flora biologist for an interactive, hands-on training session to improve your Tree ID skills.
This course will cover common tree species found in Ontario, natural history knowledge, dichotomous keys, and tips and tricks for identifying tree species.
Naturally Mindful: Silent Retreat in Nature
Dates:
Sunday October 15, 2023
Sunday November 12, 2023
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $89.99 + HST
View Cancellation Policy.
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.
Being in silence within nature allows the mind to rest, and clarity and authenticity to emerge.
The silent retreat is a healing experience in community, supported by the beautiful natural environment of Kortright Centre and an experienced and skilled facilitator.
This day-long retreat is a perfect introduction to a silent retreat experience if you have never had one before, and will help you deepen your mindfulness practice if you are an experienced practitioner.
No prior experience with mindfulness or yoga is necessary.
Please dress comfortably, appropriate to the weather, as much 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, 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.
REGISTRATION:
Sunday October 15, 2023 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sunday November 12, 2023 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
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.
SELECT COURSES
Ontario Naturalist Level 1
Registration Information Coming Soon
We are hard at work planning our next session of the Ontario Naturalist Level 1 Course and are hoping to relaunch in Spring 2023 with a new curriculum and online training resources.
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 40 hours of 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:
Module 2: Reptiles of Ontario
Module 3: Amphibians of Ontario
Module 4: Introduction to Birds of Ontario
Module 5: Natural History of Southern Ontario
Module 6: Mammal ID and Tracking
Module 8: Birds of Prey
Module 9: Wildflower and Tree Identification
Module 10: Butterflies of Ontario
Module 11: Bees
Module 12: Dragonflies and Damselflies
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.
Please check this page again soon for updates, or contact us to be added to our mailing list and we will send you a notification as soon as the next session is open for registration.
Introduction to Beekeeping
Registration Information Coming Soon
We are hard at work getting our in-person programming running again. Depending on interest, we anticipate offering this course again in Spring of 2023.
Course Description: This seven-part course provides information and hands-on opportunities for the beginner beekeeper.
Led by experienced apiarists, this course will walk you through the active bee season, from April to November.
Participants will learn how to:
- Build hive equipment
- Perform status checks of active hives
- Assess the health of the Queen
- Control for pests
- Harvest honey
- Prepare hives for winter
Each session includes both in-class learning and hands-on experience in our bee yard.
Please contact us to be put on our list and we will contact you when this course is open for registration.
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.
Cancellation Policy for All Workshops
Written notification of a cancellation must be received. Cancellations made at least two weeks before the start of your session will receive a refund of 75 per cent of the fees. Cancellations made within a two-week period will not receive a refund. There is no refund for days missed. For Adult Workshop questions and inquiries please call (416) 667-6295.