U of G News

Baby Steps - Forest Therapy for Newborns or Infants and their Caregiver
2026-04-24 11:15 - 2026-05-22 12:30, 2026-05-01 11:15 - 2026-05-29 12:30, 2026-05-08 11:15 - 2026-06-05 12:30, 2026-05-15 11:15 - 2026-06-12 12:30, 2026-05-22 11:15 - 2026-06-19 12:30 (America/Toronto) | Arboretum Centre, 250 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada
Join Giulia, a mother, artist, and certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide in a series of low-key, restorative Forest Therapy events, as we witness the land waking up from winter!
It can feel hard to leave the house when sleep isn’t good or your baby is fussy. These sessions are tailored to the needs of new parents or caregivers and babies, and all are welcome.
Forest Therapy originated in Japan in the 80s. Today it is practiced all around the world and studies show the incredible benefits of regular, intentional sessions with nature, which include lower blood pressure and stress levels, relief of depressive states, and increased sense of wellbeing.
What to expect:

Gentle, flexible invitations to inspire you and your baby to engage with the natural world and each other
Moments of optional sharing as a group
Breastfeeding and chestfeeding welcome
Washroom with changing table available
Bring a blanket, baby carrier for naps and comfort, and all your baby gear and food, plus weather appropriate clothes for you and baby.

Disclaimer: This is not group therapy and Giulia is not a trained psychotherapist. The Forest is the Therapist, the Guide opens the door.
Maximum 20 adults with a child up to 1 year of age.
Fee: $50 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of April 16, 2026. After April 16 the fee is $60 plus HST. Registration is for all 5 sessions.

Virtual Lunch and Learn: Spring Wildflowers Workshop
2026-04-28 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-04-30 12:00 - 13:00 | Arboretum Centre, 250 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada
In Southern Ontario, we are lucky to have an incredible diversity of spring wildflowers, many of which only appear for a few weeks every year. Join Christa Wise, Interpretive Naturalist at The Arboretum, for these virtual sessions to learn what spring wildflowers might be popping up near you and how to identify them. These sessions will cover the identification of common species and we will discuss their unique natural history. Perfect for anyone wanting to improve their identification skills, get a spring refresh, or are curious about the flowers that appear every spring.
Fee: $20 (plus HST) per person for the series.

Circular Economies in an Uneven World: Waste, Value, and Labour in the Global Politics of Recycling
2026-04-29 10:00 - 11:00 | ONLINE, Ontario, Canada
Canada India Research Centre for Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at the University of Guelph is pleased to host a webinar titled “Circular Economies in an Uneven World: Waste, Value, and Labour in the Global Politics of Recycling.”

When: Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 10 to 11 a.m. ET
Online event, register to receive the Zoom link

This webinar will explore the political, economic, and social dimensions of the rapidly expanding circular economy framework. While circular economy initiatives promote recycling, repair, and resource recovery as solutions to the global waste crisis, they also reshape labour relations and systems of value extraction. This session will examine how circular economy policies interact with existing inequalities, particularly in the context of waste governance and informal labour systems.
Featured Speaker: Dr. Harsha Anantharaman
Postdoctoral Fellow, York Centre for Asian Research (YCAR), York University, Canada
Dr. Anantharaman will discuss the global rise of circular economy initiatives and their implications for labour and waste systems, drawing on interdisciplinary research and fieldwork in India. The talk will highlight how recycling systems rely on marginalized communities and examine policy efforts to integrate informal workers into formal waste management systems.
More information can be found on the attached infographic poster and CIRCLE website. Please don’t hesitate to reach out at indiaresearch@uoguelph.ca for any additional inquiries.
We look forward to seeing you at the webinar!

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.”

Wonderous Wildflowers: Spring Blooms Workshop
2026-05-01 13:00 - 18:00 | Arboretum Centre, 250 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada
It’s that time of year again, the spring wildflowers are beginning to bloom! Our flowers like the trout lily, bloodroot, and trilliums only flower for a brief window in early spring, finishing all of their above-ground activity in a few short weeks. Join Christa Wise, Interpretive Naturalist at The Arboretum, to explore the fascinating world of our small but mighty spring wildflowers!
This workshop will focus on hands-on identification of spring wildflowers found in The Arboretum through visiting sites like Victoria Woods, Wild Goose Woods, and the Nature Reserve. In the classroom, we will also go beyond the field guide to learn the intricate ecology and history of these spring-time blooms.
This workshop is perfect for those looking to get hands-on experience with identification skills. Registrants will receive a copy of our Spring Woodland Wildflower booklet.
It is recommended to bring snacks, waterbottle, and appropriate outdoor attire as a significant portion of this workshop will be spent outside in The Arboretum.
*Maximum 18 adults.
Fee: $90 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of April 23, 2026. After April 26 the fee is $100 plus HST.

Guelph Bird Day 2026
2026-05-02 09:00 - 17:00 | Arboretum Centre, 250 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada
Guelph Bird Day is back and birdier than ever!
Join the University of Guelph Arboretum and Bird Safe Guelph on Saturday, May 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Arboretum Centre for a free, drop-in celebration of all things bird!
This all-ages event has something for everyone. Take part in free guided bird walks, check out hands-on activities, browse booths with bird-related art from local artists, and connect with local nature-based groups at their tables. Plus, Wild Ontario will be there with their live raptors for an up-close look at some incredible feathered ambassadors.
No registration for Bird Day is required—just dress for the weather, bring your binoculars if you have them, and get ready for a morning full of sightings, surprises, and springtime birdsong. We will have some guided bird walks that will require pre-registration (stay tuned for registration links). With migration in full swing, it’s the perfect chance to spot a wide variety of species, especially warblers!
Follow the University of Guelph Arboretum on Instagram or Facebook for updates as the day approaches. We can’t wait to see you there!

Faculty (and Staff) Writing Retreat 2026 - Hybrid
2026-05-04 09:15 - 16:00, 2026-05-05 09:15 - 16:00, 2026-05-06 09:15 - 16:00, 2026-05-07 09:15 - 16:00, 2026-05-08 09:15 - 16:00 | ONLINE and IN-PERSON, Ontario, Canada
Writing Services hosts this free, week-long retreat for University of Guelph’s faculty, staff, and visiting/postdoctoral scholars working on scholarly writing projects. More information on the Faculty (and Staff) Writing Retreat – FWR.
(IMPORTANT: Graduate students should apply for the Dissertation Writing Retreat.)
Dates: Monday to Friday, May 4 – 8, 2026 from 9:15 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Are you trying to find time to work on an article or book chapter? Register now for the 15th annual Faculty Writing Retreat (FWR).
The retreat offers an opportunity to build a supportive writing group with colleagues from across the university and to join in group discussions on writing and publishing. Individual consultations are also available.
Participants should plan to be available for all five days of the retreat. However, accommodations can be arranged.
Registration will be limited on a first-come, first-served basis.
Location: Hybrid on Zoom and in-person in a quiet, comfortable space in the McLaughlin Library.
There are two registration options, online and in person. You are welcome to participate both online and in person throughout this week.
Note: However, if you plan to attend any of the days in person, please register for the “in-person” option, as we require these numbers to help us prepare our classroom spaces.
If you have questions, please email library@uoguelph.ca.

Application of Hydroxyl Radical Process for Decontaminating Meat and Eggs Workshop
2026-05-19 09:30 - 16:00 | University Centre – Peter Clark Hall
A workshop to bring awareness on the development and commercial application of the hydroxyl-radical process from an industry prospective
Advances in Poultry Meat, Hatchery and Table Egg Disinfection
Join us in person for an exciting event diving into the latest innovations in gas phase disinfection techniques! Whether you’re into poultry meat, hatcheries, or table eggs, this gathering covers it all. Discover how new methods are transforming safety and quality in the industry. Don’t miss out on the chance to connect with experts and enthusiasts alike!
Registration is free – lunch is included.

Botanical Sketching Workshop
2026-05-23 13:00 - 16:00 | Arboretum Centre, 250 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada
Are you interested in learning how to use sketching as a way to improve your plant identification skills? In this afternoon workshop Mary Anne Young will teach the basics of field botany and how to use sketching as a way to observe and record information to assist with identification. After learning techniques (both fast and slow) for capturing plant form, structure, and beauty we will practice our skills while exploring various collections and natural spaces of the Arboretum. All experience levels welcome.
Please bring the following supplies:

a sketchbook (min. 6×9” size)
pencils (one H, one HB, and one 2B recommended)

The art supplies are available for purchase at places such as Wyndham Art Supplies, Michaels, or Dollarama.
Fee: $55 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of May 15, 2026. After May 15 the fee is $65 plus HST.

Plein Air Watercolour Workshop
2026-05-24 09:00 - 12:00 | Arboretum Centre, 250 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada
oin Artist Candice Leyland for an inspiring and immersive plein air watercolour class, where The Arboretum becomes your studio! Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a curious beginner, this class offers a unique opportunity to capture the beauty of the outdoors with vibrant watercolours.
What to Expect:

Expert Instruction: Learn from experienced artist who will guide you through techniques and tips for painting en plein air.
Beautiful Locations: Explore picturesque landscapes and let the natural surroundings inspire your creativity.
Hands-On Practice: Enjoy plenty of painting time with personalized feedback to help you improve your skills.
All Levels Welcome: Tailored instruction to suit all skill levels, from beginners to advanced artists.

Don’t miss this chance to enhance your artistic journey and connect with fellow art enthusiasts in a beautiful outdoor setting. Reserve your spot today and let your creativity flow!
Registrants must be age 14+.
Fee: $65 (plus HST) per person if you register before the early bird deadline of May 16, 2025. After that date the fee is $75 (plus HST) per person.

geXc Guelph Symposium
2026-05-25 08:00 - 17:00 | MacNaughton Building, 482 Gordon Street
Genomic technologies are reshaping how we understand life — from soil microbes to planetary ecosystems.

The geXc Guelph Symposium brings together leading researchers and industry innovators across three sessions spanning biodiversity genomics, aquatic ecosystems, and One Health. Whether you are new to genomics or a seasoned investigator, this full-day event at the University of Guelph is designed to inform, connect, and inspire. By blending academic and industry presentations with a fully catered event, including a trainee poster competition, wine & cheese social, industry panel discussions, and a career building workshop, geXc Guelph 2026 promises to be an engaging day filled with networking and learning.

Attendance is free for all registrants.

Learn more: gexcsymposia.com

GenEQ Exchange Series
2026-05-26 12:00 - 13:30 | Thornbrough Building, 80 South Ring Road East, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
The GenEQ Exchange Series is a welcoming, interactive event where community members come together to share experiences, learn from one another, and explore practical ways to build more equitable and inclusive spaces—and support career development.
The event features guided conversations at themed stations—such as gender equity, Indigenization of the classroom, navigating identity, and career advancement—where you can connect with others, exchange ideas, and take away real-world strategies you can apply in your work. You’re free to move between stations, join the conversations that interest you, and participate at your own pace.
Open to faculty, staff, graduate students, and administrators of all genders.
Light refreshments and snacks will be provided!
Event Facilitator: Leanne Son Hing (she/her), Professor, Psychology
Station Topics and Host(s):

Femmephobia: When femininity is devalued by Adam Davies (he/they/all), Associate Professor, Interdisciplinary Studies)
Indigenous Reconciliation and Gender Equity by Cara Loft (she/her), Educational Developer in the Office of Teaching and Learning
Growing the Pipeline: Practical Approaches to Gender Equity in STEM by Jean Hein (she/her), Outreach Manager, CEPS
The Gender Spectrum: Exploring Identity Beyond the Binary by Lucas Porto (he/they), BAH Undergraduate Student
Student Perspectives on Navigating Gender Equity in Academic Spaces by Adya Dash (she/her) PhD Candidate, School of Engineering
Beyond Mentorship: Finding Allies, Sponsors and Champions to support your Career Development by Katherine Sorensen (she/her), Manager, Co-operative Education (Engineering, Science, and Computing programs)

Please register to attend.

Spring Birdwatching Hike
2026-05-28 08:00 - 10:00, 2026-05-29 08:00 - 10:00 | Arboretum Centre, 250 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada
Spring is in the air—and so are the birds! This is the perfect time to get outside and spot migrating birds as they pass through in their vibrant plumage, filling the air with song. Join us for a guided birdwatching hike through The Arboretum, where we’ll explore a variety of habitats in search of both resident and migrating species. Whether you’re an experienced birder or just getting started, this hike is a great opportunity to sharpen your skills and experience the magic of spring. Binoculars will be provided.
*Maximum 20 adults.
Fee: $12 (plus HST) per person, per day.
Thursday, May 28 OR Friday, May 29, 2026

Unwind Your Mind
2026-05-28 12:00 - 13:00 | ONLINE, Ontario, Canada
Our brain can become more busy (and more negative thoughts intrude) when we are stressed, tired, or feeling overwhelmed.
This experiential Lunch & Learn session shares a variety of research-based tips and approaches for calming worry, anxious thoughts, and a busy brain.
The session includes:

strategies that reboot your brain into a neutral gear
the 2 Minute Rule to curb ruminating
‘soft fascination’ and other mind calming techniques
how to decrease brain bombardment from body inputs that activate and perpetuate a racing mind

This noon hour session with Kathy Somers of the Stress Management & High Performance Clinic
meets online from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 28.
Workshop Fee:

$5 for University of Guelph students (due to a subsidy from U of G Student Health Services)
$10 for members of United Steelworkers Local 4120 (due to a subsidy from Local 4120)
$17 for all others

The Stress Management & High Performance Clinic began in 1978 in the Department of Human Kinetics with Dr. Evelyn Bird’s research on the impact of biofeedback and self-regulation/Non-Sleep Deep Rest techniques on health and performance. When Dr. Bird retired from teaching at the University, Student Affairs asked the Clinic to continue providing this research-based skills training for interested students, staff, faculty, and community members.

Shinrin-Yoku
2026-05-29 13:00 - 16:00 | Arboretum Centre, 250 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada
Step into the healing power of nature with a guided Shinrin Yoku session at the Arboretum in Guelph. Also known as “forest bathing,” Shinrin Yoku is a gentle, meditative practice that originated in Japan, inviting you to slow down, awaken your senses, and deepen your connection to the natural world. Over the course of approximately three hours, you’ll be guided through a series of mindful invitations to engage with the forest atmosphere in a way that promotes relaxation, clarity, and well-being. Whether you’re new to the practice or returning for a deeper experience, this immersive journey offers a meaningful way to unwind and reconnect, with nature and with yourself.
D’Arcy Meloche is a Registered Horticultural Therapist and certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide with over 25 years of experience helping individuals connect with nature for health and healing. Based in Guelph, Ontario, D’Arcy works as a Horticultural Therapist at Homewood Health Centre, where he supports therapeutic recovery through plant-based and outdoor programs. Eight years ago, he expanded his practice by earning qualifications in Nature and Forest Therapy, blending his deep horticultural knowledge with evidence-based techniques that invite restorative experiences in natural settings. His approach is grounded, compassionate, and rooted in decades of hands-on work with both plants and people.
Fee: $65 (plus HST) per person, per session if you register by the early bird deadline 8 days prior to the workshop (ie. May 21 / July 2 / September 18). After the early bird deadline the fee is $75 plus HST. Please note that each of the three dates are an individual workshop; they are not a series.

Heart Smart Stress Management
2026-06-02 12:00 - 13:00 | ONLINE, Ontario, Canada
A truly heart healthy lifestyle is more than exercise and diet.
The third and most important key (according to cardiologists Eliot, Bhat, Ornish and others) is stress management. Yet this component is the most neglected!
Learn practical stress management strategies that decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease (especially helpful for those with risk factors of high blood pressure, diabetes, anxiety, depression, tendency to hold onto anger, or a family history of heart attack or stroke).
The session includes:

the top 3 techniques for relaxing blood vessels and easing high blood pressure and strain on the heart
the ‘Mother Teresa effect’ for heart health & resilience
strategies that impact heart rhythm and how to promote the desirable high heart rate variability (HRV)

This noon hour Lunch & Learn with Kathy Somers of the Stress Management & High Performance Clinic
meets online from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2.
Workshop Fee:

$5 for University of Guelph students (due to a subsidy from U of G Student Health Services)
$10 for members of United Steelworkers Local 4120 (due to a subsidy from Local 4120)
$17 for all others

The Stress Management & High Performance Clinic began in 1978 in the Department of Human Kinetics with Dr. Evelyn Bird’s research on the impact of biofeedback and self-regulation/Non-Sleep Deep Rest techniques on health and performance. When Dr. Bird retired from teaching at the University, Student Affairs asked the Clinic to continue providing this research-based skills training for interested students, staff, faculty, and community members.

Virtual Tree Identification
2026-06-02 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-06-09 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-06-16 19:00 - 20:00 | Arboretum Centre, 250 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada
Do you love trees but can’t tell an Ash from a Walnut, a Birch from a Beech, or a Spruce from a Fir? Are you looking to connect more with the natural world around you? Join Shelley Hunt, U of Guelph course instructor and former Arboretum Director, for a virtual, interactive tree identification workshop. Over the course of 4 Zoom sessions, with hands-on challenges to complete in between, you will learn the basics of tree ID, with a focus on native Ontario species (and their look-alike non-native counterparts). You will learn about the important features to look for (e.g. leaf shape and arrangement, bark characteristics, fruits and cones), as well as the details that help us to distinguish between species in the same group (e.g. Ashes, Pines, Maples). You will practice your skills on trees that you can find in your local area, and get feedback on your ‘homework’. The fourth session will include a virtual tour of trees in The Arboretum’s collections.
Please Note: This course is only on-line. A separate in-person course is also available on September 19.
We also send recordings out after each session, so if you miss a session you can watch the recording. The recordings are available for one month after the end of the workshop.
Fee: $50 (plus HST) per person.

Trees and Books Walk
2026-06-06 14:00 - 15:00 | Arboretum Centre, 250 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada
Explore the complex relationship between nature and literature in this guided walk. We will look at the interaction between trees and books through a scientific and cultural lens. Learn about the role trees have played in storytelling, through their role in printmaking and how humans understand themselves and tell their stories. Gain a better understanding of biological concepts in arboriculture to help you “read” a tree and see how the characters of wind, sunlight and rain act as characters in each tree’s story.
Fee: $15 (plus HST) per person.
