Workshops

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 June 19.
We also send recordings out after each session, so if you miss a session you can watch the recording. The recordings are avaialble for one month after the end of the workshop.

Fee: $50 (plus HST) per person.

Ontario has dozens of native shrub species, from dogwoods to viburnums, blackberries to spicebush, and everything in between. Where to start in learning to identify them? In this workshop, spread over 4 zoom sessions, we will cover basic shrub morphology and learn the key ID features of a wide variety of these diverse woody plants. The 4th session will include a virtual tour of shrubs in the Arboretum's collections.

Fee: $50 (plus HST) per person.

The Arboretum is home to thousands of insect species, each playing a vital role in the rich biodiversity of this space. Getting to know these fascinating creatures might seem daunting, but don’t worry—we’re here to help! Join our naturalists for a guided hike through The Arboretum as we search for butterflies, dragonflies, and other incredible insects. Along the way, we’ll explore identification tips, natural history, and the important roles these tiny creatures play in our world. Nets (and net training!) will be provided.

*Maximum 20 participants. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 

Fee: $12 (plus HST) per person, per day.

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 in the forest as well as young cultivated trees with their Eurasian counterparts in the World of Trees collection. Participants are encouraged to bring their field guides and binoculars. Each registrant that attends the workshop will receive a copy of our Tree Leaves Biodiversity Sheet.

Fee: $94.00 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of June 11. If you register after June 11 the fee is $104 (plus HST).

Join 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+.

Supplies:
Bring what you have that is easy to carry. Pan Watercolours are best, but we can make anything work.

• Watercolour Paints: A set of professional-grade watercolours in tubes or pans. Recommended colors include:
  • Hansa Yellow or Cadmium Yellow Light
  • Ultramarine Blue
  • Phthalo Blue
  • Cadmium Red Light
  • Alizarin Crimson
  • Viridian or Phthalo Green
  • Burnt Sienna
  • Burnt Umber
• Watercolour Brushes: A variety of brushes, such as:
  • Round brushes (#12 or 14, #6 or 8)
  • Flat brushes (#14)
• Watercolour Paper: High-quality, 140 lb. paper (9” x 12” or larger).
• Palette: A palette with a large mixing area (8x10 inches or larger).
• Water Containers: Jars with lids for clean and dirty water.
• Paper Towels or Cloths: For blotting and cleaning brushes.
• Pencil and Eraser: For sketching your composition.
• Portable Easel: (optional) A portable easel that can be adjusted for horizontal painting. An easel is not required. A board and a folding chair or a picnic blanket is a great, simple option.

Optional Supplies:

• Portable Chair: For comfort while painting.
• Hat and Sunscreen: To protect yourself from the sun.
• Bug Spray: To keep insects at bay.
• Backpack or Tote Bag: To carry all your supplies

Fee: $65 (plus HST) per person if you register before the early bird deadline of June 13, 2025. After that date the fee is $75 (plus HST) per person.

Our flowers are in bloom, and so are your ideas! This is an open-air, open-media session that invites artists to explore flowers in The Arboretum's blooming gardens. Prepare to be inspired by delicate petals, bold colours, and fascinating structures. This is an opportunity to create outdoors in a unique setting.

Please note: This program includes a self-directed creative session without formal artistic instruction. We will provide a plein air location, introduction to our collections, and a theme. You bring your artistic eye with you!

Open to any medium or level of experience!

What to Expect:

• Open creative session for artists of any discipline
• Create work among in-season blooms
• Inspiration from The Arboretum’s living floral collections and new familiarity with our work and gardens
• Bring your own art supplies

Registrants must be age 14+

Supplies: Bring anything you need for your creative craft! Assure these are supplies that you can carry.

*Maximum 20 adults. Registrants must be age 14+.

Fee: FREE or donate what you can!

Immerse yourself in the busy world of pollinators during this creative outdoor program. Focus on the movement, interaction, and crucial work of bees, butterflies, and other pollinating species. Artists are encouraged to interpret this theme through their craft in any way they see fit! This session invites any interpretation engaged with the theme of pollination.

Please note: This program includes a self-directed creative session without formal artistic instruction. We will provide a plein air location, introduction to our collections, and a theme. You bring your artistic eye with you!

Open to any medium or level of experience!

What to Expect:

• Open-air, open-media creative session in Gosling Gardens
• Inspiration from The Arboretum’s pollinator friends and new familiarity with our work and gardens
• Bring your own art supplies

Registrants must be age 14+

Supplies: Bring anything you need for your creative craft! Assure these are supplies that you can carry.

*Maximum 20 adults. Registrants must be age 14+.

Fee: FREE or donate what you can!

Get curious about nature and practice your observational skills with our nature journaling hikes! Great for those looking to get started, we will focus on the fundamentals so you can create your own nature journal! No artistic skill needed, nature journaling is about intentional curiosity and exploring the world you see around you! Each hike will cover a different theme, so repeat hikers are always welcome! All you need for these hikes is a sketchbook and something to write with – but feel free to bring your preferred supplies

The following is a list of topics for each program:

• May - Spring Flowers
• June - Insects
• July - Trees
• August - Fungi

*Maximum 18 adults.

Fee: $12 (plus HST) per person

Have a kid that is curious about nature and loves to draw? Join Arboretum Naturalist Christa Wise for a family nature journaling hike! We will teach the fundamentals of how to create and keep a nature journal with activities tailored to kids. Each hike will cover a different theme, so repeat hikers are always welcome! All you need for these hikes is a sketchbook and something to write with – but feel free to bring your preferred supplies. Kids must sign up with at least one adult for this hike.

The following is a list of topics for each program:

• July - Forests: Exploring all that the forest has to offer
• August - Fields: Exploring meadow habitats and their diversity

*Maximum 18 people. Children 14 and under must be accompanied by a adult who is also registered for the hike.

Fee: $12 (plus HST) per person

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. Regsitrants in attendance will receive a copy of our Butterfly biodiversity sheet.

*Maximum 18 adults.

Fee: $94 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of June 29, 2025. After June 29 the fee is $104 plus HST.

This introductory workshop will open your eyes to the amazing and mysterious world of moths. Participants are introduced to what makes a moth so unique; learn about the families or groups of moths that you are most likely to encounter in the Guelph area; and how to find, identify, and appreciate moths. This workshop is divided into two portions both taking place on Tuesday July 8: an afternoon session 1 - 4 to cover basic ID skills and will include time in the field. The evening portion will include blacklighting and moth baiting, to experience the nocturnal world of moths and continue practicing identification.
*Maximum 18 adults.

Fee: $94 (plus HST) per person if you register before the early bird deadline of June 30, 2025. After June 30 the fee is $104 (plus HST) per person.

Turn your gaze upward and explore light, movement, and structure in tree canopies and branches. Consider scale, height, and layers—taking inspiration from The Arboretum’s tree collections.

Please note: This program includes a self-directed creative session without formal artistic instruction. We will provide a plein air location, introduction to our collections, and a theme. You bring your artistic eye with you!

Open to any medium or level of experience!

What to Expect:

• Open-air, open-media creative session beneath the trees
• A calm setting for reflective, independent work
• Inspiration from The Arboretum’s living tree collections and new familiarity with our unique plant species
• Bring your own art supplies

Registrants must be age 14+

Supplies: Bring anything you need for your creative craft! Assure these are supplies that you can carry.

*Maximum 20 adults. Registrants must be age 14+.

Fee: FREE or donate what you can!

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 workshop includes an outdoor component of catching and identifying the dragonflies of The Arboretum.  Each registrant that attends the workshop will receive a copy of our Dragonfly Booklet.

*Maximum 18 adults.

Fee: $97 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of July 1, 2025. After July 1 the fee is $107 plus HST.

What lies beneath the surface of The Arboretum’s ponds? Join us for a hands-on pond study and discover the fascinating creatures that call these waters home! Using nets and sample trays, we’ll dip into the pond to find aquatic insects, amphibians, and other hidden life. Along the way, we’ll discuss their unique adaptations, life cycles, and roles in the ecosystem. This is a great opportunity to get up close with nature and learn more about the incredible biodiversity of freshwater habitats. Wear waterproof boots and be ready to get a little muddy!

*Maximum 20 adults. 

Fee: $12 (plus HST) per person, per day.

From bark ridges to moss carpets, this session focuses on texture, repetition, and the fine details of the forest. We’ll begin with a short walk to explore natural textures, followed by open-media creative time indoors led with samples and photographs. This session provides the opportunity to closely observe patterns, structures, and textures that are commonly overlooked in nature.

Please note: This program includes a self-directed creative session without formal artistic instruction. We will provide a plein air location, introduction to our collections, and a theme. You bring your artistic eye with you!

Open to any medium or level of experience!

What to Expect:

• Observational walk followed by a relaxed, open-media session
• A focus on organic patterns and tactile inspiration
• All creative practices and media welcome
• Bring your own art supplies

Registrants must be age 14+

Supplies: Bring anything you need for your creative craft! Assure these are supplies that you can carry.

*Maximum 20 adults. Registrants must be age 14+.

Fee: FREE or donate what you can!

Draw inspiration from The Arboretum’s preserved plant collections. Herbarium samples offer a unique lens through which to explore structure, subtle colours, and preserved memory. Join us indoors with unique, curated samples and explore a diverse array of plant species, many of which were collected on The Arboretum’s grounds decades ago. This session provides a calm indoor space where participants can create detailed or interpretive work inspired by our herbarium.

Please note: This program includes a self-directed creative session without formal artistic instruction. We will provide a location, introduction to our collections, samples for inspiration, and a theme. You bring your artistic eye with you!

Open to any medium or level of experience!

What to Expect:

• Indoor, open-media session using preserved plant specimens as reference
• A calm setting ideal for detailed or reflective work
• Inspiration from The Arboretum’s pressed botanical collections and new familiarity with our work and history
• Bring your own art supplies

Registrants must be age 14+

Supplies: Bring anything you need for your creative craft! Assure these are supplies that you can carry.

*Maximum 20 adults. Registrants must be age 14+.

Fee: FREE or donate what you can!

Celebrate the lush summer season through your art practice. This session invites you to look at vibrant colors, layered views, and lively plant growth through your preferred media and interpretation. Capture the summer season through your chosen artistic lens.

Please note: This program includes a self-directed creative session without formal artistic instruction. We will provide a plein air location, introduction to our collections, and a theme. You bring your artistic eye with you!

Open to any medium or level of experience!

What to Expect:

• Open-air, open-media creative session in a scenic setting.
• Flexible and welcoming for any medium
• Create something in response to nature’s rhythm—whether through literal depictions or personal interpretations
• Bring your own art supplies

Registrants must be age 14+

Supplies: Bring anything you need for your creative craft! Assure these are supplies that you can carry.

*Maximum 20 adults. Registrants must be age 14+.

Fee: FREE or donate what you can!

Explore the intersection of natural form and intentional design in our English, Italian, and Japanese gardens. This session is focused on symmetry and manmade design in nature. The Arboretum’s formal gardens offer a rich environment to explore balance through your craft.

Please note: This program includes a self-directed creative session without formal artistic instruction. We will provide a plein air location, introduction to our collections, and a theme. You bring your artistic eye with you!

Open to any medium or level of experience!

What to Expect:

• Open-air, open-media creative session in our gardens
• Inspiration from The Arboretum’s living collections and new familiarity with our work and garden design
• A chance to engage with themes of symmetry, human influence, and design in natural spaces
• Open to all creative practices
• Bring your own art supplies

Registrants must be age 14+

Supplies: Bring anything you need for your creative craft! Assure these are supplies that you can carry.

*Maximum 20 adults. Registrants must be age 14+.

Fee: FREE or donate what you can!

What is a gall? If you’ve ever noticed a strange bump, ball, or swelling on a leaf or stem, you’ve likely spotted one—but what caused it? Galls are abnormal plant growths triggered by a diverse range of organisms, including insects, mites, and fungi. Far from being mere deformities, these structures serve as protective homes and food sources for the creatures that create them. They come in an astonishing variety of shapes, sizes, and colors—each with its own unique natural history.

Join us for a workshop on the Galls of Southern Ontario, where we’ll explore their incredible diversity, how they form, the organisms behind them, and so much more. This hybrid workshop will begin indoors with an introduction to gall biology, followed by an outdoor exploration in The Arboretum, where we’ll search for galls in the field. With well over 100 types of galls found here, there’s an incredible amount to discover!.

*Maximum 18 adults.

Fee: $94 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of August 19, 2025. After August 19 the fee is $104 plus HST.

Neither great trees nor a carpet of bloom, the often overlooked but ecologically important shrubs and vines in our landscape will be our focus. Fresh specimens and an easy to use key for shrubs will be used. We will be outdoors for half of the day discovering southern Ontario's native and naturalized shrubs at The Arboretum. Bring a magnifying glass. Maximum 16 adults.

Fee: $90.00 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of September 3. If you register after September 3 the fee is $100 (plus HST). Note: If we don't have enough registrations by the early bird deadline the course may be cancelled.