Ponds teem with a diversity of prey and predators that conduct their lives largely unseen below the surface. The online portion of this workshop will introduce you to some of these fascinating animals. 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. The ecological value of permanent ponds will also be addressed.

The outdoor workshop will begin with an examination of several species of pond organisms that Don Scallen will have on hand. We’ll then visit one of the Arboretum ponds to see what else we can discover. Dip nets, and containers to briefly house the creatures, will be supplied.

Don Scallen has written about vernal pools for ON Nature and Escarpment Views magazines and since 2001 he has been the primary nature writer for In The Hills magazine. In 2020 he published Nature Where We Live, Activities to Engage Your Inner Scientist from Pond Dipping to Animal Tracking.

Learn more and register here.

Fee: $55 (plus HST) per person, per session if booked prior to the early bird deadline of April 14, 2023. After the early bird date the fee is $65 plus HST per person.

Please note that the virtual program on April 20 is included in this In-Person Pond Workshop. If you sign up for the In-Person Pond Workshop you do not need to sign up for the virtual program as you will automatically receive the link for the virtual portion in the In-Person confirmation.