Workshops

Do you wish you could spend more time in nature but are struggling to find the commitment? Come join Sit Spot Club, facilitated by certified Forest Therapy Guide Giulia Pozzi!

What is a Sit Spot?
A Sit Spot is a special place in nature that you visit regularly.

This quiet, meditative practice will help you soften and relax, be more present, connect to the land, and build community with likeminded people. It also helps with routine building and focus, and best of all? We will witness this beautiful land together as we transition into fall weather!

How does it work?
We will start with an opening circle, after which we will go separate ways to our sit spots. After 40 minutes you will be called back to closing circle, during which we will have the opportunity to share.

What to bring:

• a journal and drawing supplies, if desired
• something to sit on
• water bottle and snacks
• appropriate clothes for the weather

This program is FREE. We are asking you to register so that we have your e-mail address to communicate with you in the case of changes or cancellations due to weather etc. When registering we understand that you may not be able to attend every week, but we would love to see you as often as possible.

Age 12 years old and older. Please note that there is no supervision for youth. If supervision is required an adult must attend with the youth.

Join Giulia, a mother, artist, and certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide in a series of low-key, slow-paced, and restorative Forest Therapy sessions.

Life with a new baby is complex: poor sleep, fussiness, and isolation can all be part of the journey. While there is so much to celebrate, sometimes we also need space to process all the changes that come with parenthood and even grieve aspects of our pre-baby lives. During our time together we will slow down, reconnect to our senses, and allow whatever feelings arise to be gently held by the land, all while witnessing the changing colors of the fall. 

What is Forest Therapy?

It originated in Japan in the 80s, today it is practiced all over the world.

Research shows us the benefits of regular, intentional sessions with nature, which include lower blood pressure and stress levels, relief of low mood states, and increased sense of wellbeing and meaning.

No previous experience is needed.

What to expect:

• Both slow, short walks and sitting, depending on what the land is like
• Gentle, flexible, and accessible invitations will inspire you and your baby to engage with the natural world and each other
• Moments of optional sharing as a group
• A space that honours the realities of caring for a new baby; changing diapers, nursing, crying babies, strollers and carriers, all is welcome!
• Closing tea ceremony (please provide your own snacks).

Bring a blanket, baby carrier (or stroller) 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 (or little older if they can't walk yet).

Fee: $55 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of October 8, 2026. After October 8 the fee is $65 plus HST. Registration is for all 6 sessions. 

Mohawk Creation Story - Thursday, September 24, 2026
The Story of the Flying Head (Scary) - Friday, October 30, 2026 
Guest Storyteller + The story of the Little People - Friday, November 27, 2026
Story of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy - Friday, December 11, 2026

She:kon! Hello! You are invited to join Cara Loft, Haudenosaunee woman, and staff member at the University of Guelph to engage in Indigenous culture and learn about Indigenous storytelling. At the end of each month, we gather together on the Land in the Guelph Arboretum to share in a traditional Indigenous Hand drum song, smudge, Mohawk story and walk on the land (pending weather). Traditionally, the Land has been a guide and teacher to Indigenous peoples on Turtle Island and globally. She has much to teach us and we have much to learn. Come experience what is like to participate in land-based learning in a gentle and engaging way! Nia:wen kowa! Thank you!

This program is FREE. We do ask that if you register and can't make it that you notify us so that someone else can have your spot as space is limited. You can register for one or more of the sessions.

Registration will open approximately one month in advance or just after the previous session.

How large is the Earth? How far away are the Sun and planets? Other stars? Other galaxies? What is it all made of? Where did it come from and what will happen to it?

Over the past thousand or more years, our curious species has steadily chipped away at these questions. Throughout this series of 12 presentations, we'll delve into some of them, as well as our place in space, the many of the facets of the night sky, the fascinating objects found in it, and what they all tell us about this strange universe in which we live.

Please note: We are offering this program as a HYBRID OR VIRTUAL program. If you sign up for the VIRTUAL program you will receive a zoom link so you can join the session virtually each week. If you sign up for the HYBRID session you will receive information on where to attend the session in-person as well as the virtual information. This will allow you to watch it virtually if you are unable to attend one or two of the sessions. The space is limited for the number of people that can attend in-person. We would ask that if you only intend to attend VIRTUALLY that you sign up for the VIRTUAL sessions and leave the HYBRID for those who are able to and plan to attend in-person. The VIRTUAL and HYBRID options are listed one after the other on the registration page.

Fee: $110.00 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of September 16. If you register after September 16 the fee is $120 (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 October 16, 2026. After that date the fee is $75 (plus HST) per person.

Come, brave the cold, and see the stars! Members of the Kitchener-Waterloo Royal Astronomical Society of Canada will be setting up astronomical telescopes for private viewings. Come see winter constellations like Taurus, Gemini, and Orion, as well as star clusters, nebulae, and many other curious objects in the beautiful winter Milky Way. Later, as winter melts into spring, we may even view a few distant galaxies.

Our goal is to run 3 of the following programs:
Thursday, November 12, 2026, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. (Moon, Saturn)
Thursday, January 14, 2027, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. (Moon, Saturn)
Thursday, February 11, 2027, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (Moon, Saturn, Jupiter & Mars at their best)
Thursday, March 11, 2027, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars)
Thursday, April 8, 2027, 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. (Moon, Jupiter, Mars)
Thursday, May 13, 2027, 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. (Moon, Mercury, Jupiter, Mars)
Thursday, June 10, 2027, 9:00 to 11:00 p.m.(Moon, Jupiter, Mars)

The information in the brackets indicates the principal solar system objects visible at the time.

The weather makes stargazing very unpredictable and therefore hard to schedule. Instead of opening up registration for all of these dates and having to cancel some of them, we are instead going to have everyone who is interested sign up on a list (there is no fee to do this). To sign up on the list click on the link to register for workshops and you will find the link for the list in the list of workshops.

The morning of each of the above listed dates we will send an email out by 10:30 AM to let you know whether the instructors are going to run the program or not. Their decision will be based both on the sky and the weather (ie. if it is forecasted to be excessively cold the program will not run). The registration will open when we send the email out. Anyone can register for the program regardless of whether they are on the sign up list or not.

Fee: $19 (plus HST) per person, per session. Please note these programs are non-refundable once you register and pay for them.

Want to take a deeper dive into the owls of Ontario? This workshop builds on our classic Owl Prowl programming and offers an extended, more immersive experience. Participants will explore the detailed ecology of Ontario’s owls, including how to identify species by sight and sound, understand their behaviour and habitat needs, and learn practical tips on the whooooo, what, where, when, and how of looking for them.

The program includes a variety of hands-on activities such as dissecting owl pellets, searching for owls during the daytime, and heading out again after dark for a guided night-time owling session. The workshop takes place both indoors and outdoors, for an experience that combines classroom learning with field-based exploration to give participants a well-rounded, in-depth understanding and appreciation of these remarkable birds.

Maximum 20 people.

Fee: $105 (plus HST) per person, per session if you register by the early bird deadline of January 14, 2027. After the January 14 the fee is $115 plus HST.

REGSITRATION COMING SOON.

 

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 29, 2027. After January 29 the fee is $107 plus HST.

REGISTRATION COMING SOON.

 

 

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. 6x9” 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.
An example of the sketchbook:

Fee: $55 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of April 16, 2027. After April 16 the fee is $65 plus HST.

*REGISTRATION COMING SOON.

 

A breathtaking ascent to the skies, a graceful fall to the ground, and a mesmerizing, yet quirky, call… PEENT. The sky dance of the American Woodcock is a truly incredible spectacle, and we at The Arboretum invite you to join us in a search for this captivating display! Our Woodcock Walk begins at the Nature Centre, where we’ll unveil some of the mystery behind these aerial acrobats before heading into the field with hopes of witnessing their enchanting performance in person.

Fee: $12 (plus HST) per person.

*REGISTRATION COMING SOON.

 

This program is offered to specifc groups. If you would like more information please contact us.
Fee: FREE!
This online series is catered to University of Guelph international students and other community members new to Canada. New to the area? Come with us to explore The Arboretum and learn about what you can find in nature throughout the winter, spring, summer, and fall!
Visit the Nature Throughout the Seasons for International Students and New Canadians Series program page to learn more and register for upcoming dates. Please note that at this time this program is being offered to a special group instead of as a public program. If you are part of a group that is interested, please contact us for further information.