Guelph Urban Forest Friends

Listen to the Trees
2026-09-19 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Toronto) | Guelph Enabling Garden, 709 Woolwich St, Guelph, ON, N1H 3Y8, Canada
Join Us for an Enchanting Storytelling Event at Enabling Gardens!
Get ready for a magical day at the Enabling Gardens where The Superhero for Trees will make a special appearance!
Learn how to listen to the trees through the lens of Indigenous stories, songs with a gift to The Ash. There will be an art activity for children of all ages with a piece to take home. We suggest a blanket for children and your chair for adults.
Event Highlights:

Epic Tale of the Ash Tree: Immerse yourself in the captivating story of the Ash tree, a symbol of tenacity and courage. Discover its incredible journey of self-preservation against all odds, and the wisdom it has gathered as the riverside flourished around it.
Interactive Art Activity: Unleash your creativity with a fun art activity! Children of all ages and their families will have the chance to create their own masterpiece to take home as a cherished memory.

Bring your imagination and join us for a day filled with storytelling, creativity, and nature’s wonders. We can’t wait to see you there!
After the storytelling, explore the Enchanted Fairyland Art and Nature Festival in the Guelph Enabling Garden.
This family friendly event is hosted by the Guelph Storytellers Guild.
Rain or shine event. If raining meet under the picnic shelter.
No registration required.

Guelph Public Library
2026-09-20 - 2026-09-26 | Guelph Public Library, 100 Norfolk St, Guelph, ON, N1H 0A9, Canada
Be inspired by trees on the page and in the landscape.

Celebrate trees through art and storytelling. A specially selected reading list of tree-inspired books will be available, and most library branches will feature a collection of titles exploring trees in nature, culture, science, and history.
Borrow a book, discover a new perspective, and be inspired before or after your visit.

Guided Tree Walks | Walk #1
2026-09-20 11:00 - 12:00 | 785 York Road Guelph, 785 York Rd, Guelph, ON, N1H 0A9, Canada
Celebrate the Trees at Yorklands with 2 Guided walks detailing the close connections to our pollinators.
We will hang quotes and poems on the heritage trees along the driveway for other walkers to enjoy during Forest week.
Do you have a favorite to hang there?
All attendees will get a ticket for an original Yorklands painting to be drawn at our Artspiration autumn show.
Bring a sketchbook and join in the Plein Air session.

Walks start at 11am & 2pm.
All ages welcome.
Meet at the entrance 735 York Rd East. Bus stop at the gate.
No washrooms on site
Sponsors: Yorklands Green Hub, Pollination Guelph, Guelph Urban Forest Friends, and Guelph Tree Trust

Plein Air with Tree Walk
2026-09-20 11:00 - 16:00 | 785 York Road Guelph, 785 York Rd, Guelph, ON, N1H 0A9, Canada
Yorklands Green Hub is pleased to welcome artists of all skill levels to a special Plein Air event celebrating the beauty of trees!

Plein air (French for “open air”) is the practice of creating art outdoors, allowing artists to capture the natural light, colours, and atmosphere of a landscape directly from observation.
Join us for a day of inspiration among the trees as we explore, sketch, paint, and create in nature.
Please note:

There are no washroom facilities on site; however, commercial facilities are available nearby.
Please bring all of your own art supplies, seating, and refreshments.
Dress appropriately for the weather and be prepared to work outdoors.

Whether you are an experienced plein air artist or trying outdoor painting for the first time, we look forward to seeing your creativity come to life at Yorklands Green Hub!
Meet at the front gate of the Old Reformatory, 785 York Road, Guelph
Audience: Adults

Mini Forest Tour
2026-09-20 13:00 - 16:00 | 34 Dublin St S, 34 Dublin St S, Guelph, ON, N1H 0A9, Canada
Step into a Backyard Forest!

What if a backyard could become a forest? Inspired by the Miyawaki Method developed in Japan in the 1970s,
this downtown Guelph homeowner planted roughly 250 native trees and shrubs within just 72 square metres in fall 2021.

In only a few years, the space has grown into a thriving mini forest, demonstrating how even the smallest urban lots can help
restore biodiversity and create pockets of nature in the heart of the city.

The homeowner will lead guided tours
Event goes rain or shine
Free on-street parking

Family friendly

No registration required

Guided Tree Walks | Walk #2
2026-09-20 14:00 - 15:00 | 785 York Road Guelph, 785 York Rd, Guelph, ON, N1H 0A9, Canada

Seed Collection Event
2026-09-22 09:00 - 12:00 | Ignatius Jesuit Centre, 5420 Hwy 6 N, Guelph, ON, Canada
Help Grow the Forests of Tomorrow

Join us for a hands-on seed collection workshop and be part of a local effort to grow the next generation of forests. Hosted in partnership with the Ignatius Jesuit Centre and the Green Legacy Programme, this engaging three-hour experience will teach you how to identify, collect, and steward native tree seeds from our local landscape. Following a short presentation, you’ll head outdoors on a guided seed collection walk to put your new skills into practice. The seeds you collect won’t just end up in a jar, they’ll be nurtured into saplings at the Green Legacy nursery and planted throughout Wellington County, helping create healthier, greener communities for years to come.
Family friendly

A Sustainable Urban Forest for Guelph: Pathways to the Future
2026-09-22 19:00 - 21:00 | University of Guelph – Arboretum, 250 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
Join a dynamic panel of local experts for an engaging discussion on the future of Guelph’s urban forest.
Discover how cutting-edge technology is helping map, monitor, and grow the urban forest, while learning about the invasive insects and diseases that threaten its future. Whether you’re a homeowner, gardener, environmental enthusiast, or simply curious about the trees around you, you’ll gain valuable insights into how we can all contribute to a greener, healthier city.

Stay for an interactive Q&A session and enter our prize draw for trees and other exciting giveaways!

Learn more about;

Threats to Guelph’s trees from pests and diseases
How the City of Guelph’s Tree Management Plan and new Tree By-law will protect and grow our city’s tree canopy.

Presenters and panelists:

Brian Aukema, Professor and Camerson Chair in Ecological Pest Management University of Guelph, School of Environmental Sciences
Jay Cranstone, City of Guelph Natural Areas Stewardship Technologist
Kristen Grittani, City of Guelph Forester
Moderator: Alison Morrison, Manager of Horticulture, The Arboretum

THIS EVENT IS FREE BUT DONATIONS ARE WELCOME in support of the renovation of the Arboretum Nature Centre.
Doors open at 6:30 pm
No registration required
Sponors:

Noon Hour Walk
2026-09-23 12:00 - 13:00 | ON
Wednesday Noon Hour Walk
Take a midweek break and join us for a refreshing walk!
Join an Arboretum Interpretive Naturalist as they guide you through an interactive walk through the Arboretum’s collections and natural areas, focusing on the natural history of forest trees.
Walks start at The Hales McKay Shelter, beside the main parking lot for the Arboretum Centre, at 12:15pm, every Wednesday.
What to bring: Curiosity and comfy shoes!
for more information: Wednesday Walks | The Arboretum
Family Friendly – All ages welcome
Sponsor: Arboretum, University of Guelph

Restoring the Understory
2026-09-24 09:00 - 12:00 | Ignatius Jesuit Centre, 5420 Hwy 6 N, Guelph, ON, Canada
Beneath the Canopy: Restoring the Heart of the Forest

Step beyond the trees and discover the hidden layer that powers healthy forests. This hands-on workshop will take you into the fascinating world of the forest understory, where native wildflowers, shrubs, and young trees provide food and shelter for countless species. Learn how to spot and manage invasive plants, support native biodiversity, and apply practical restoration techniques that strengthen the health of your woodlot.
Whether you’re a landowner, gardener, or conservation enthusiast, you’ll gain valuable tools and inspiration to become a steward of healthier, more resilient forests.
Family friendly
No registration required.

Tree Bingo
2026-09-24 19:30 - 21:00 | Red Chevron Club, 34 Elizabeth St, Guelph, ON, Canada
Forest Bingo Night!
Hosted by Green Drinks Guelph & Nature Guelph
Join us for an evening of fun, facts, and forest-themed bingo at the cozy Red Chevron Club – 34 Elizabeth St, Guelph
Cash Bar
Prizes to be won!
Nature trivia & surprises
Whether you’re a nature nerd or just bingo-curious, this is your chance to mingle, learn, and laugh in great company.
Bring your friends and your forest smarts!
No registration required.
Audience: 19 +

Beaver Walk
2026-09-25 17:00 - 19:00 | Ignatius Jesuit Centre, 5420 Hwy 6 N, Guelph, ON, Canada
Follow the Trail of Nature’s Engineers

Ever wondered what happens when beavers take charge of a landscape?
Join Julianna van Adrichem for a fascinating guided walk along Marden Creek at the Ignatius Jesuit Centre
and discover the incredible impact of these hardworking ecosystem builders.
We’ll search for lodges, dams, chew marks, and other signs of activity while learning how beavers help reduce flooding, improve habitat, and support biodiversity.
Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or simply looking for a memorable evening outdoors, you’ll leave with a newfound appreciation for one of Canada’s most remarkable wildlife species.
Family friendly, one child per adult. (Children are free)
WHAT TO EXPECT:

Distance: Approximately 3-5 km walking
Terrain: Uneven terrain with some rocks and roots, and some wet spots
Trail Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Washrooms: none
This event is family-friendly.
This event is NOT dog-friendly.
Dress for the weather.
Parking: lots available

Registration required at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beaver-walk-forest-week-2026-tickets-1996175140581?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true
Sponsors: Nature Guelph and Beavers Canada

Roots and Renewal Festival at Ignatius Jesuit Centre
2026-09-26 12:00 - 16:30 | Ignatius Jesuit Centre, 5420 Hwy 6 N, Guelph, ON, Canada
Roots & Renewal is a free community celebration of all that has grown at Ignatius Jesuit Centre over the past year!
Join us on Saturday, September 26, from 12:00 to 4:30 p.m. at the Farm Square for an afternoon of wagon rides, tree planting, local food from Community FEWD, a pop-up market hosted by The Hive, family activities, demonstrations, and opportunities to connect with the people and organizations helping bring our mission of Care for Our Common Home to life. As part of the Guelph Urban Forest Friends‘ celebration of National Forest Week, you’ll also have the opportunity to help plant trees that will benefit future generations while learning about the importance of healthy forests and local ecosystems.
Whether you’re discovering Ignatius Jesuit Centre for the first time or returning as part of the community, Roots & Renewal is a chance to explore the land, celebrate the season, and enjoy a welcoming afternoon together.
Admission is free, and everyone is welcome.
No registration required
Info at: https://rootsandrenewal.ca/

Demo Tree Planting at Roots and Renewal
2026-09-26 12:45 - 15:45 | Ignatius Jesuit Centre, 5420 Hwy 6 N, Guelph, ON, Canada
A tree’s journey to a long, healthy life begins the moment it is planted.

Join Master Gardener Robert Pavlis as he shares the secrets to successful tree planting, from preparing the perfect planting site and handling the tree with care to proper staking, support, and essential early maintenance.
Learn how to give your newly planted tree the best possible start and help it thrive for generations to come.

The festival grounds will be set up at the Farm workshop, with tables, food, a market etc. From there folks can take a wagon ride to a tree planting site. That’s where we will be conducting the demonstrations throughout the day.

There will be a demo at 12:45, 1:45, 2:45 and 3:45. Each group of people will have the chance to plant.

There will be signs posted along the main driveway for the event and also a sign with a wagon ride schedule.
