Geared towards teachers, this workshop will explore interactive methods and activities to help get students out into nature in their local ecology. This workshop hopes to aid teachers in incorporating nature and outdoor time into their classrooms. Led by Jon Hayes and Clarissa Cremin-Endes of the High Park Nature Centre, this workshop will include time for discussion, and will address the advantages, as well as obstacles to getting students out in nature in an urban setting. The workshop will involve time indoors to explore theory on the subject, hands on activities and outdoor time on the trails of High Park to practice new skills in nature. Leader Bios: Jon Hayes joined the HPNC team in 2006. After receiving his Bachelor of Education at OISE/UofT, Jon fell in love with teaching in an outdoor setting and has been doing it ever since. Jon looks for ways to connect people of all ages with their local ecology through immersive, hands-on experiences. Jon has also taught at Toronto Botanical Garden. Clarissa Cremin-Endes is a grateful new member of the High Park Nature Centre team, serving as the School Programs Coordinator. She has a passion for incorporating nature to create accessible and culturally relative learning experiences. With a Master of Social Justice Education with a specialization in Environmental Science from OISE/UofT (2018) she is enthusiastic about collaborating to bring attention to the nature all around us in both parks and urban areas. Cost: Regular: $60 Seniors: $44 (60+ years) Workshop Bundle: 15% off when you register for 2 or more workshops. Information about other workshops can be found here.

Come and explore the beautiful wetlands surrounding the majestic Grenadier, Toronto’s largest pond! Learn from the young naturalists of the High Park Rangers group why wetlands are such an important ecosystem. We’ll also keep our eyes open for turtles, frogs, muskrats and other pond-dwellers! Meet at the square benches just south of the Grenadier Restaurant.

Join drag stars Fay and Fluffy for a special outdoor storytime in OURSpace. After telling their tales, Fay and Fluffy will hit the trails with High Park Nature Centre staff. On the walk we will explore the idea of how being different helps the plants and animals in High Park thrive. This event is for everyone but we would like to extend a special invitation to families with LGBTQ2S parent(s) and gender variant children. This event is free but registration is required

Are you looking for ways to share your love of nature with the older adults in your life? We invite caregivers of older adults to spend a rejuvenating half-day at the High Park Nature Centre with horticultural therapist Emma Rooney. We’ll explore simple techniques for helping older adults connect with nature to promote their health and well-being. After learning about some of the barriers older adults face to getting outdoors (e.g., limited mobility, cognitive impairment, dementia, depression), you’ll get practical tips on making nature more accessible to everyone. Best of all, you’ll try out a variety of hands-on activities that will orient you to the seasons and your place in the local environment. Whether you’re a family caregiver or someone who works (or volunteers) with older adults, you’ll leave this workshop with a solid collection of strategies for adding nature to your caregiving routine and daily life. We’ll break together at lunch to enjoy homemade soup and salad made with seasonal ingredients. This hands-on workshop includes: • A sensory walk • Bird watching for all levels • Nature journaling • Gardening for wildlife • Soundscape mapping, and • Nature-inspired art. Instructor Bio: Emma is the founder of Blooming Caravan, a High Park business that offers in-home creative companionship visits for seniors. Her philosophy of care weaves together caring for both the land and people. Emma has worked at several innovative organizations, including the High Park Children’s Garden, Greenest City, and Ecosource. She enjoys using her design skills to engage people of diverse backgrounds in environmental and social justice issues. She is also a passionate educator who loves sharing her knowledge through presentations on a variety of subjects, including gardening for mental health, making local food accessible, community mapping, and intergenerational storytelling. Emma is the horticultural therapist at Peel Manor Long Term Care Centre, a Toronto Master Gardener, and a volunteer at the High Park Nature Centre.

Join us this summer to learn all about Toronto's native, wild bee populations in this year's Speaker Series, Wild Bee Buzz Talks! Over the course of four lectures by local bee experts, we will explore everything from High Park's bee phenology, to urban bee survival skills, and the ways we can protect these vital insects for years to come.