Virtual Cottage Birds Series
2025-01-22 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-01-27 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-01-29 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-02-03 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-02-05 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-02-10 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-02-12 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Toronto) | Arboretum Centre, 250 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada
While sitting on the dock, have you ever asked “Did that loon just attack that duck?” or “How can that Pileated Woodpecker peck such big holes without hurting its brain?” or “Which hawk is that flying overhead?” The answers to these and many other bird-related questions will be covered in this series of eight one-hour sessions on the birds you notice while visiting a cottage, hiking in a northern park or tenting at your favourite campsite. We will cover identification clues, behavior, nesting info, habitat, foraging techniques and more. Cottage projects and activities that help birds will also be a part of each session as well as a 10-15 minute discussion period for bird-related questions. All eight programs cost of $70 (plus tax) – that’s less than $10 per program!
Mondays and Wednesdays, January 20, 22, 27, 29, February 3, 5, 10, and 12, 2025, noon to 1 p.m.
Fee: $70.00 + H.S.T. This event will take place on Zoom. The list of topics with the presentation date is listed below. If you miss any of the programs, each one is recorded and the recording will be sent to you the next day. The recordings will be available for one month after the last program.

SPSS micro 3: Chi-square
2025-01-23 15:30 - 16:00 | ONLINE, Ontario, Canada
Looking for a statistics tune-up using SPSS? Come to the third workshop in our 11-part series to teach you the basics! In SPSS micro 3: Chi-square, you will learn the data type required for the test, check the assumptions for the test, and conduct the test!
Prior knowledge of SPSS is not required. Prior knowledge of statistics is not required. If you have no knowledge of SPSS or statistics, attending workshops #1 and #2 is highly recommended to orient you to these topics.
You do not need to attend every session 🙂 if you miss a session or want additional support, you can check the SPSS LibGuide (written by the instructor).
NOTE: This workshop will be held online via Teams and is open to U of G students, staff, and faculty. To register and participate, you MUST have a University of Guelph email (ending in either @guelphhumber.ca or @uoguelph.ca). An email will be sent to all registered attendees the morning of the workshop, and registration closes 6 hours before the workshop.

My First Vegetable Garden (Virtual)
2025-01-29 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-02-05 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-02-12 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-02-19 19:00 - 20:00 | ONLINE, Ontario, Canada
This course is designed for the new gardener or the gardener that has only been growing vegetables for a couple of years. We’ll start at the very beginning, with ordering seeds and end with a detailed discussion of the 10 best vegetables for new gardeners. Focus is on hardiness zones 4 – 6.
We’ll cover the following topics:

Creating a new bed and different systems; in the ground, raised beds and growing in containers
Best soil selection and how to get it ready for the growing season
When to use seed vs transplants, and starting early indoors
Dealing with weeds and other gardening tricks
Watering, sun and fertilizer – keep them growing for a maximum yield
Harvesting and fall crops
Common vegetables myths

Robert is a Master Gardener and garden writer who publishes two popular gardening blogs and has published several gardening books. He owns and operates a private botanical garden where he grows over 3,000 different varieties of plants.
Fee: $40 (plus HST) per person. (This fee includes all 4 sessions.)

Introduction to Animal Tracking (in-person)
2025-02-07 09:00 - 16:00 | Arboretum, 250 Arboretum Road, Guelph, N1G 2W1
Have you ever wondered what made those marks in the snow? In this full day program we will be learning how to track animals. We will be studying the tracks and signs of Ontario mammals and other types of wildlife. By the end of the day you will learn to identify and interpret animal tracks by looking at track patterns and gait analysis. The workshop will also include an introduction to scat identification. There is an outdoor component that will have us looking for and following animal tracks and trails. Please dress in layers to be outdoors and wear comfortable, warm boots. Recommended: Bring a notebook and a measuring tape to help with track identification.
The Arboretum Mammal booklet is included in the registration fee.
Fee: $97 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of January 30, 2025. After January 30 the fee is $107 plus HST.

Virtual Propagating Plants from Cuttings
2025-02-26 19:00 - 20:00 | ONLINE, Ontario, Canada
Cuttings are a great way to propagate all kinds of plants including perennials, trees, shrubs and houseplants. This workshop will look at different ways to propagate cuttings and compare them to using seeds. Most of the time will be spent on techniques that use media other than water.
We’ll distinguish between softwood, semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings. Have a look at different media and examine the role of rotting hormones, both commercial and DIY options.
The speaker will show you his simplified method that is great for gardeners since it requires no special equipment.
Fee: $10 (plus HST) per person.

Virtual Composting for Gardeners - Introduction to Composting
2025-03-04 19:00 - 20:00 | ONLINE, Ontario, Canada
An introduction to the composting process including the role of microbes, greens and browns, carbon to nitrogen ratios, moisture levels, the importance of temperature and a definition for finished compost. We’ll take a brief look at the pros and cons of various composting methods so that you can select the right workshop for you, in the following weeks.
Fee: $10 (plus HST) per person.

Virtual Bird Sounds Series
2025-03-17 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-03-19 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-03-24 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-03-26 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-03-31 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-04-02 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-04-07 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-04-09 12:00 - 13:00 | Arboretum Centre, 250 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada
Into birding but the songs have you stumped? Whether you are new to learning bird sounds or you want a good refresher, this course is for you. Join Chris Earley, Arboretum Interpretive Biologist and author of 5 bird field guides, for a series of eight virtual noon-hour lectures that cover over 150 bird species! We will focus on songs and some common, distinctive calls and will apply different methods to remember them. Each course will start with a short intro topic about birding by ear before we dive into the bird species. Learn how to make your own calls, read a sonogram, make up your own memorable bird song sayings, and more! Each class will finish with a 10-15 minute discussion period so you can ask all your bird-related questions. See the descriptions below to find out which bird groups are covered in each class. All eight programs cost of $70 (plus tax) – that’s less than $10 per program! This fund-raising initiative will help support other Arboretum educational programs.
Fee: $70.00 + H.S.T. This event will take place on Zoom. The list of topics with the presentation date is listed below. If you miss any of the programs, each one is recorded and the recording will be sent to you the next day. The recordings will be available for one month after the last program.
Mondays and Wednesdays, March 17, 19, 24, 26, 31, April 2, 7 and 9, 2025, Noon – 1 p.m.

Composting for Gardeners - Composting Piles, Bins and Drums (Virtual)
2025-03-18 19:00 - 20:00 | ONLINE, Ontario, Canada
The previous workshop provided information about the composting process. This workshop is more hands on and looks at various methods for completing both hot and cold composting. Hot composting is the traditional method using one or more bins. This is a great system that makes faster compost, but it is impractical for smaller gardens. Various plastic bins and drums are more suitable there. We’ll have a look at various commercial and DIY systems.
At the end of this course you will be able to select the right composting system that meets your requirements and you will know how to start the process, care for it, and what to do with the finished compost.
If you are going to take this course it is a good idea to also take Introduction to Composting for Gardeners.
Fee: $10 (plus HST) per person.

Composting for Gardeners - Vermicomposting (Virtual)
2025-03-25 19:00 - 20:00 | ONLINE, Ontario, Canada
Vermicomposting is a way of using earth worms to compost organic material. One benefit of this method is that it can be done in the home using special bins that require a very small space.
The course will introduce you to the equipment needed including some inexpensive DIY options. It will help you select the right kind of worms and show you how to maintain them to keep them healthy. We’ll review ways of harvesting the vermicasts – the worm poop – and explain how it should be treated for best results in the garden.
At the end of this course you will know the basics of taking care of your new pets and how to resolve any problems you might have.
If you are going to take this course it is a good idea to also take Introduction to Composting for Gardeners.
Fee: $10 (plus HST) per person.

Spring Social for Faculty and Staff
2026-04-30 11:30 - 13:00 | University Centre, 150 Research Ln, Guelph, Ontario, N1G2W1, Canada
Thursday, April 30
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
University Centre
Join President Rene Van Acker for lunch and to connect with your colleagues as we celebrate the end of the academic year.
Lunch will be served in the courtyard with seating available throughout the main floor of the University Centre, in Branion Plaza, and Thornbrough atrium. Menu will be posted on U of G Insider closer to the event.
Get your free ticket.
Tickets will be required to attend the event.
Before claiming your ticket, faculty and staff will need to log into the ticket platform using the button in the top right corner that says “Log In / Register.”
