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.

[3]

Get hands-on and explore a hidden world beneath the water’s surface. Participants will use nets and observation tools to discover the diverse community of aquatic insects and other organisms that call our ponds home.

This free, outdoor program is part of The Arboretum’s Summer Nature Series, generously supported by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. Programs are designed for all experience levels. Please dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear for uneven trails.

Fee: FREE (Registration required)

NOTE: REGISTRATION WILL OPEN 3 - 4 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE WORKSHOP DATE.

[3]

Join us for a guided hike to meet the birds of the Arboretum and learn how to identify common local species by sight and sound. This program introduces the basics of birdwatching and helps participants connect with the wildlife around them. Binoculars will be available to borrow.

This free, outdoor program is part of The Arboretum’s Summer Nature Series, generously supported by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. Programs are designed for all experience levels. Please dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear for uneven trails.

Fee: FREE (Registration required)

NOTE: REGISTRATION WILL OPEN 3 - 4 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE WORKSHOP DATE.

[3]

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.

[3]

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 June 30, 2026. After June 30 the fee is $107 plus HST.

[3]

 

 

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.

[3]

 

Join us for our second annual Odonate Count at The Arboretum! We will spend the day out on the Arboretum grounds searching for, catching, and identifying the Dragonflies and Damselfishes (Odonates) found here. As an inventory project, we will be using iNaturalist to document our findings, so please come with an iNaturalist account and have it downloaded on your phone.

This is a free event for those interested in helping us inventory the diversity of these incredible insects that call The Arb home. While experience with Odonate identification and capture is appreciated, this event is open to everyone willing to help. To learn how to identify dragonflies and damselflies, see our Dragonfly Workshop (information will be coming soon for this).

Nets will be provided for the duration of the count.

Check out our results from our first Odonate Count in 2025: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/arboretum-odonate-count-2025 [4]

*Maximum 25 adults.

Fee: FREE

[3]

 

 

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 those who wish to simply become familiar with the mini-wildlife of Ontario. Registrants in attendance will receive one of our insect biodiversity sheets. Note that the majority of this workshop will be spent out of doors regardless of weather, so dress appropriately!

*Maximum 18 adults.

Fee: $94 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of July 5, 2026. After July 5 the fee is $104 plus HST.

[3]

 

 

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 of our Butterfly biodiversity sheet.

*Maximum 18 adults.

Fee: $94 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of July 6, 2026. After July 6 the fee is $104 plus HST.

[3]

 

 

Ever heard of a plant gall? Even if you haven't, you've likely seen one before! Galls are among the most overlooked signs of biodiversity around us, appearing as strange lumps, bumps, and growths on plants. They come in an incredible variety of shapes, sizes, colours, and forms, and can be found in nearly every terrestrial habitat. While they may look like a natural part of the plant, galls are actually created by other organisms—most often insects—that manipulate plant tissues to form these remarkable structures.

But what purpose do they serve? How are they formed? What groups of organisms are responsible for creating them? Do they harm the plant? How can we identify them? These questions and more will be explored during this workshop.

With the incredible plant diversity found throughout The Arboretum, we have the opportunity to discover a wide variety of gall-inducing species through the fascinating structures they create. The workshop will include an indoor presentation covering gall biology, diversity, and ecology, followed by a guided walk to search for and identify galls in the field.

*Maximum 18 adults.

Fee: $85 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of July 17, 2026. After July 17 the fee is $95 plus HST.

[3]

 

 

Insects are the small but mighty organisms that keep our ecosystems running. In this hands-on program, participants will learn how to safely catch, observe, and identify a variety of insects found in The Arboretum. Nets will be provided for use during the program.

This free, outdoor program is part of The Arboretum’s Summer Nature Series, generously supported by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. Programs are designed for all experience levels. Please dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear for uneven trails.

Fee: FREE (Registration required)

NOTE: REGISTRATION WILL OPEN 3 - 4 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE WORKSHOP DATE.

[3]

If you’ve ever been interested in getting into the ever-increasingly popular hobby of birding, this workshop is for you! We’ll explore how to approach bird identification, the essential tools of the trade, and the incredible resources available to help you build confidence in the field. You’ll also learn practical tips for improving your observation skills and becoming a more effective birder overall.

This workshop is designed for participants with little to moderate prior experience with birding, and is suitable for anyone curious about getting started or looking to strengthening their foundational skills. The workshop will include an indoor presentation followed by a guided walk to practice and apply techniques in the field. Binoculars will be available to borrow. Participants will receive a Backyard Bird Biodiversity Sheet.

*Maximum 18 people (ages 14+).

Fee: $54 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of August 14, 2026. After August 14 the fee is $64 plus HST.

[3]

 

 

Established in 1970, The Arboretum has grown into a diverse landscape of gardens, natural areas, and research collections. Join us on this hike to learn a little more about the space!

This free, outdoor program is part of The Arboretum’s Summer Nature Series, generously supported by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. Programs are designed for all experience levels. Please dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear for uneven trails.

Fee: FREE (Registration required)

NOTE: REGISTRATION WILL OPEN 3 - 4 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE WORKSHOP DATE.

[3]

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 September 11. If you register after September 11 the fee is $104 (plus HST).

[3]

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 [5] 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.