The Halloween season is here, and we at The Arboretum are excited to introduce a spooky new program! Ever wondered what might be behind those strange bumps in the night? Join us for an evening hike as we explore the mysterious sounds of the forest—from squeaks and screeches to howls and growls—that you might hear

This full-day, immersive Eco-art therapy session is aimed at providing an experience where you will interact with and share nature-based experiences to help bring hope, resilience, and positivity in your life right now. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on components of Ecopsychology as well as Eco-Art Therapy. Participants will be introduced to

Inspired by Shinrin-Yoku, a Japanese term that translates into “Forest Bathing” in English, discover a gentle way of moving mindfully through nature. Led by Canada's Forest Therapy Guide and Trainer, participants experience a walk intended to open the senses, deepen a connection with the natural world, and enhance wellbeing. Ben Porchuk is the co-founder of

A community celebration of trees and the many exciting things happening in the Arboretum lands! Join us for tours of the grounds, trails, gardens, research projects, tree climbing demonstrations, and an in-person Plant Sale. Take home an interesting woody plant, grown in the Arboretum greenhouse and tended to by our dedicated staff and volunteers.

Kicking off Arboretum Expo Weekend 2024, The Arboretum presents the world premiere of a new composition for harp! Trees. Listen by Sharlene Wallace and Frank Horvat is inspired by Dr. Diana Beresford-Kroeger's knowledge of trees and the Celtic tree-based Ogham alphabet. The 9-part composition will premiere the evening of Friday, September 6, and outdoor installations

Discover the hidden wonders of pond life with our Family-oriented Pond Study! This aquatic adventure is perfect for parents and kids alike, offering a hands-on exploration of the fascinating creatures that call our ponds home. From frogs to backswimmers, you'll get an up-close look at a variety of pond dwellers and learn about how their

In this day-long workshop, participants learn about the fascinating life stories and identification tips about our most important invertebrate predators, the spider. Participants will venture outside for part of the day learning how to find and identify some of our amazing local arachno-fauna, discover first-hand why most insects are arachnophobic, and how we can (and

This workshop has been designed to educate participants about butterflies and how to identify them in the wild. Topics covered include, butterfly natural history, capture techniques, field identification, tagging, migration, and creating and maintaining butterfly habitat. The workshop concludes outside catching and identifying the butterflies of The Arboretum. Registrants in attendance will receive a copy

This workshop introduces participants to all the major groups of insects in Ontario with a focus on how to recognize major groups or families, with special reference to the common species one is likely to encounter in both the backyard and in the field. This is a great introductory course for educators, field researchers, and

Ontario is home to over 150 species of Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies), many of which are common in the Guelph area. Most species can be identified with a field guide and pair of binoculars. Participants learn about these beautiful creatures, their fascinating lives, and see why they are an important part of our local ecosystems.

This full-day program helps participants refine their skills to identify trees in Ontario. The focus of the workshop is on learning the important identification characteristics of difficult tree groups such as the cherry, oak and walnut families as well as the easier groups such as ash and maple. The afternoon is spent outside identifying trees

Spring has sprung, and there's no better time for birdwatching at The Arboretum! Migratory birds are making their way north from their tropical winter destinations, and our feathered residents have romance on the brain. Come on out for a walk around the Arb in search of whatever birds the day may provide. This is a

We cordially invite you to join a unique Wellness Workshop at the beautiful, 400-acre sprawling The Arboretum, U of Guelph, on June 7, 2024, and "Immerse in the Synergy of the Natural World". The Keynote speaker will be world-renowned Plant Scientist, Professor, Dr. Praveen Saxena, Director of GRIPP, U of G. The title of Professor

Slow down and learn to see the beauty of nature like you’ve never noticed before! Nature Journaling is a great way to connect more deeply with nature and learn to strengthen your skills of observation. Designed for beginners of all ages, this workshop will teach you the fundamentals of nature journaling and give you the