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 education at Kortright Centre

COURSES

Kortright Centre visitors at outdoor workshop

WORKSHOPS

woman does yoga outdoors at Kortright Centre

HEALTH & WELLNESS

BIRDING WORKSHOPS AT TOMMY THOMPSON PARK

solar energy workshop at the Kortright Centre

SUSTAINABILITY EDUCATION & TRAINING

ARCHETYPE SUSTAINABLE HOUSE TOURS

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.

adult nature education at Kortright Centre

SELECT COURSES

ANCIENT TECHNOLOGIES II
Think you have the skills to survive in nature? Want to put those skills to the test?
INTRODUCTION TO BEEKEEPING
This seven-part course provides information and hands-on opportunities for the beginner beekeeper.
ONTARIO NATURALIST CERTIFICATION COURSE LEVEL II
This advanced naturalist course introduces new topics and builds upon the skills learned in the Ontario Naturalist Course Level I.
Registration Full – ONTARIO NATURALIST CERTIFICATION COURSE LEVEL I
Learn a vast array of naturalist skills from experts in the field.

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.

Individually marked workshops are also offered as part of the Ontario Naturalist Certificate Course Level I (*) or Level II (**).

Kortright Centre visitors at outdoor workshop

SELECT WORKSHOPS

(You can view all, or filter according to your area of interest.)

ANIMAL TRACKING (INTERMEDIATE)**
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.
BAT ID AND SURVEY METHODS* – SOLD OUT!
Learn about the only mammals that can fly, and discover how their incredible echo-location system works!
BIRDING TOUR OF KORTRIGHT
Join us for a day exploring the Kortright Centre property, as we watch for our resident bird species and fall migrants such as warblers and other songbirds.
BIRDS OF PREY*
Join Wild Ontario’s naturalists for an evening all about birds of prey!
BUTTERFLIES OF ONTARIO*
Learn all about butterfly biology and identification, their amazing knack for mimicry and their role in our environment.
BUZZ ON BEES*
Learn all about bee biology and identification, their role in our environment, and the threats to their health.
DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES* – SOLD OUT!
Learn about the fascinating biology and migration of some of the world’s most ancient flying animals: the dragonflies and damselflies!
FERNS AND GRASSES**
This full-day session will be split between the study of ferns and grasses.
FUNGI**
This module will look into the ecosystem role, biology and identification of fungi.
INTRODUCTION TO BIRDS*
This workshop is a fun and educational introduction to birding, covering topics such as bird identification, bird anatomy, and where/when to look for birds in Ontario.
INVERTEBRATE IDENTIFICATION**
This session delves into the world of Mollusca (snails, slugs, etc.), Annelida (earthworms, etc.) and Arthropoda (insects, spiders, etc.).
MIDNIGHT ASTRONOMY
Receive a detailed introduction to the basics of astronomy, then venture outside to observe the night sky.
MOSSES AND LIVERWORTS**
In this module we will take a closer look at Bryophytes, including mosses, liverworts and hornworts.
REPTILES OF ONTARIO*
A hands-on workshop featuring live reptiles from around the province!

ANIMAL TRACKING (INTERMEDIATE)**
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.
BAT ID AND SURVEY METHODS* – SOLD OUT!
Learn about the only mammals that can fly, and discover how their incredible echo-location system works!
REPTILES OF ONTARIO*
A hands-on workshop featuring live reptiles from around the province!

BIRDING TOUR OF KORTRIGHT
Join us for a day exploring the Kortright Centre property, as we watch for our resident bird species and fall migrants such as warblers and other songbirds.
BIRDS OF PREY*
Join Wild Ontario’s naturalists for an evening all about birds of prey!
INTRODUCTION TO BIRDS*
This workshop is a fun and educational introduction to birding, covering topics such as bird identification, bird anatomy, and where/when to look for birds in Ontario.

FERNS AND GRASSES**
This full-day session will be split between the study of ferns and grasses.
FUNGI**
This module will look into the ecosystem role, biology and identification of fungi.
MOSSES AND LIVERWORTS**
In this module we will take a closer look at Bryophytes, including mosses, liverworts and hornworts.

BUTTERFLIES OF ONTARIO*
Learn all about butterfly biology and identification, their amazing knack for mimicry and their role in our environment.
BUZZ ON BEES*
Learn all about bee biology and identification, their role in our environment, and the threats to their health.
DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES* – SOLD OUT!
Learn about the fascinating biology and migration of some of the world’s most ancient flying animals: the dragonflies and damselflies!
INVERTEBRATE IDENTIFICATION**
This session delves into the world of Mollusca (snails, slugs, etc.), Annelida (earthworms, etc.) and Arthropoda (insects, spiders, etc.).

MIDNIGHT ASTRONOMY
Receive a detailed introduction to the basics of astronomy, then venture outside to observe the night sky.

ONLINE WORKSHOPS

Individually marked online workshops are also offered as part of the Ontario Naturalist Certificate Course Level I (*) or Level II (**).

AMPHIBIANS OF ONTARIO*
There are 26 native amphibian species — 13 frogs, 13 salamanders and newts — found in Ontario. This self-study workshop covers identification, habitat and conservation concerns for native amphibians.
BUTTERFLIES OF ONTARIO*
This online workshop will cover life cycles, habitat and identification of common butterflies of Ontario.
HUMAN IMPACTS ON THE LANDSCAPE**
This online workshop will look at current and historical land use patterns in Southern Ontario and how they have influenced the current landscape.
MAMMAL TRACKING AND ID*
This online unit covers identification, including sign and tracking, of common mammal species in Ontario.
NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ONTARIO*
This online session provides an introduction to the natural history of southern Ontario through the lens of ecosystems and wildlife.
WINTER TREE ID**
This online workshop will introduce tree features that are useful for winter identification of deciduous trees.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

At Kortright Centre we recognize that spending time in nature is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. In 2018, we are offering a new suite of programs to nourish your body and soul.

women do yoga outdoors at Kortright Centre

SELECT PROGRAMS

SILENT RETREAT
This five-hour silent retreat, held seasonally, will give you the opportunity to experience mindfulness-in-nature practices that allow you to rest your mind, connect with yourself and your body, and deepen your relationship to nature.

BIRDING WORKSHOPS AT TOMMY THOMPSON PARK

Whether you are new to the world of birdwatching or just looking to brush up on your skills, birding workshops at Tommy Thompson Park — another of TRCA’s leading-edge education centres — will allow you to build your knowledge in Toronto’s most exciting birding hotspot.

birding workshop at Tommy Thompson Park

SELECT WORKSHOPS

Nothing available at this time. Check back again soon!

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

solar energy workshop at the Kortright Centre

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.

Archetype Sustainable House at Kortright Centre

Public Tours are available on the following days and times:

Saturdays and Sundays, March 4 to April 2 and every day during March Break 2018 (March 13-17) at 11:30 am, 1:30 pm and 3 pm.
Every Saturday and Sunday in October and Thanksgiving Monday at 2:30 pm.

Tour space is limited and advance registration is required.

Please call 905-832-2289 to reserve your spot.

interior of Archetype Sustainable House

Programs for Adults

WHAT’S ON

COURSES

WORKSHOPS

HEALTH & WELLNESS

BIRDING WORKSHOPS AT TOMMY THOMPSON PARK

SUSTAINABILITY EDUCATION & TRAINING

ARCHETYPE SUSTAINABLE HOUSE TOURS

COURSES

SELECT COURSES

ANCIENT TECHNOLOGIES II

INTRODUCTION TO BEEKEEPING

ONTARIO NATURALIST CERTIFICATION COURSE LEVEL II

Registration Full – ONTARIO NATURALIST CERTIFICATION COURSE LEVEL I

WORKSHOPS

SELECT WORKSHOPS

ANIMAL TRACKING (INTERMEDIATE)**

BAT ID AND SURVEY METHODS* – SOLD OUT!

BIRDING TOUR OF KORTRIGHT

BIRDS OF PREY*

BUTTERFLIES OF ONTARIO*

BUZZ ON BEES*

DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES* – SOLD OUT!

FERNS AND GRASSES**

FUNGI**

INTRODUCTION TO BIRDS*

INVERTEBRATE IDENTIFICATION**

MIDNIGHT ASTRONOMY

MOSSES AND LIVERWORTS**

REPTILES OF ONTARIO*

ANIMAL TRACKING (INTERMEDIATE)**

BAT ID AND SURVEY METHODS* – SOLD OUT!

REPTILES OF ONTARIO*

BIRDING TOUR OF KORTRIGHT

BIRDS OF PREY*

INTRODUCTION TO BIRDS*

FERNS AND GRASSES**

FUNGI**

MOSSES AND LIVERWORTS**

BUTTERFLIES OF ONTARIO*

BUZZ ON BEES*

DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES* – SOLD OUT!

INVERTEBRATE IDENTIFICATION**

MIDNIGHT ASTRONOMY

ONLINE WORKSHOPS

AMPHIBIANS OF ONTARIO*

BUTTERFLIES OF ONTARIO*

HUMAN IMPACTS ON THE LANDSCAPE**

MAMMAL TRACKING AND ID*

NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ONTARIO*

WINTER TREE ID**

HEALTH & WELLNESS

SELECT PROGRAMS

SILENT RETREAT

BIRDING WORKSHOPS AT TOMMY THOMPSON PARK

SELECT WORKSHOPS

SUSTAINABILITY EDUCATION & TRAINING

Kortright’s Commitment to Excellence

SUSTAINABLE HOUSE TOURS

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