Ecology Park | Events

Ecology Park is open to he public year-round, and staffed from early May to the end of October.

Ecology Park Workshops and Special Events 2010

Unless an alternate location is listed, all Special Events are at the Ecology Park on Ashburnham Drive. Meet at the Rain Shelter.

Guest Speaker - “Well Grounded: The Unexpected Benefits of Being Close to Nature”

Monday, April 12, 7:00 to 8:30 PM
Peterborough Public Library, 345 Aylmer St. N.
We welcome Brenlee Robinson of the Ontario Urban Forest Council for a fascinating exploration of the importance of nature in human health. Recent research is showing dramatic links between contact with the natural world and people's mental and physical health. Displays from local nature-based organizations will give you plenty of options for getting outdoors and being active this summer. A perfect way to celebrate Earth Month!

Pollinator Garden Work “Bee”

Tuesday, April 13, 6:00 to 7:30 PM (Rain date: Thursday, April 14, 6:00 PM)
Join us to help prepare a growing bed for the Ecology Park's new "Pollinator Garden". This is a great opportunity to pick up important tips for creating a new garden space. Defining the garden edges, removing sod, soil preparation and soil amendments will all be part of this first "work bee" of the season.

Annual Benefit Concert for the Ecology Park

Thursday, April 22 (Earth Day), starting at 8:00 PM
The Spill Cafe, 414 George St. N.
Once again, the incomparable Glen Caradus is donating his talents to raise funds to keep the Ecology Park thriving. Glen is joined by a host of local musicians for an evening of great music and fellowship in support of a great cause.

Opening Market Day

Sunday, April 25, 1:00 to 4:00 PM
This is the first day of sales for the season. Leaf compost, mushroom compost, mulches, trees and garden supplies will be available for sale. Remember to bring containers for taking bulk garden supplies home.

Choosing the Right Tree

Thursday, May 13, 7:00 to 8:00 PM
Selecting a tree and the right place to plant it is one of the most important landscape decisions you will ever make. Join the Ecology Park's Cathy Dueck to explore the palette of wonderful native and non-invasive exotic trees that can thrive in our region, and personalized options for your own yard.

Urban Roots Bird Walk

Sunday, May 16, 9:00 to 10:30 AM
Back by popular request, join Sue and Andrew for a morning stroll through the Ecology Park and along the shores of Little Lake. The spring bird migration should be at its peak, so you're guaranteed to see many breathtaking feathered beauties. Bring binoculars if you have some.

Spring Plant Sale

Sunday, May 23, 1:00 to 4:00 PM
Our popular spring sale is a great place to buy native plants, trees, shrubs, heirloom vegetables, herbs and ecologically friendly annuals and perennials. Pick up some fabulous plants while supporting environmental education at the Ecology Park. We need lots of volunteers to lend a hand on this busy day, so please let us know if you can help out.

Bountiful Food Gardens

Sunday, May 30, 2:00 to 3:30 PM
With the spike in interest in local food production, vegetable gardens are springing up everywhere! How do you maximize the food you harvest from your garden? We'll explore how to stretch the harvest through frost-tolerant plants, succession planting, perennial food plants, cold frames and more.

Bees and Beekeeping

Sunday, June 6, 2:00 to 3:00 PM
Did you know that at least 1/3 of the food we eat requires pollination from bees? Honeybees and native bees are in sharp decline across the country. Can the home gardener play a role in creating habitat for these important insects? Beekeeper and naturalist Erin McGauley shares her experiences in urban beekeeping with some ideas for welcoming bees into our lives and gardens.

Nurturing the “Nature-Lover” in Your Child

Sunday, June 20, 2:00 to 3:30 PM
Spend part of Father's Day this year outdoors with the kids! As the effects of "Nature Deficit Disorder" in children become more widely known, parents and caregivers are re-learning how to explore the outdoors with their children. Johanna Hart, Children's Program Coordinator for the Ecology Park, will share a wealth of ideas for awakening a love of the natural world. Bring the whole family!

New This Year! Holiday Weekend Tours of the Ecology Park

Sunday, July 4, Sunday, August 1, Sunday, September 5, 11:00 AM to 12:00 noon
Join Ecology Park staff for a guided tour of the park - a unique 5 acre showcase for land stewardship and ecological gardening. Learn how and why the park was created, and pick up some great gardening tips as you go!

Gardening with Native Plants

Sunday, July 11, 2:00 to 3:30 PM
Native plants bring so many benefits to a garden, they deserve a prominent role in garden planning. Join us to discuss how to integrate native plants into your garden, and get acquainted with some of our favourites.

Alien Invaders

Sunday, July 25, 2:00 to 3:00 PM
In this world of global transport, many plants and animals find their way into foreign lands, with frequent disastrous impacts. In fact, invasive aliens are one of the greatest threats to biodiversity worldwide. The Lakeland Alliance will lead this workshop on how to identify, prevent and reduce invasive species in the Kawartha Lakes region.

Carpentry for Women

July 17-19 (Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday)
Jenn Feigin of Sir Sandford Fleming College's Sustainable Building program will lead this weekend-long workshop to teach basic carpentry skills. The project for the weekend is a new storage shed for the Ecology Park. Fee for the weekend is a sliding scale between $75-$125 (what you can afford). Pre-registration required.

Backyard Fruit Production

Sunday, August 22, 2:00 to 3:00 PM
Wouldn't you love to pick perfect, mouth-watering fruit from your own yard? An important step is learning how to identify and prevent common pests of fruit trees and berries. Tom Calwell has been growing luscious backyard fruits for years, and he'll help you towards a delicious harvest of your own.

Family Night

Thursday, August 26, 7:00 to 8:30 PM
This annual celebration of summer is a highlight for many local families! Music, stories, a corn roast and campfire frame this evening of discovery and fun.

Saving Your Own Vegetable Seeds

Sunday, Sept. 13, 2:00 to 3:00 PM
Jillian Bishop, long-time heirloom seed collector, will show you how to select and process seeds from your own garden. It's the best way to ensure a bountiful, affordable harvest for next year's garden!