Events: Sat March 14th -> Apr 16th 2009

Lots of events, and it's not even planting season yet!

Reminder:

• Several of the following events require pre-registration
• if possible, pls RSVP: confirms the event date and place, and lets folks know you're coming so they don't accidentally cancel because of "lack of interest."
  
• I've posted other "Announcements" (including training and some upcoming AGMs and conferences) in a seperate post right below this one, so read on!
  

Sun March 15, 10:30am
High Park Greenhouse – Transplanting with Horticulture staff
Hands-on session of transplanting with Horticulture staff. Learn techniques of transplanting native plants begun in the greenhouse or the nursery for use in restoration work in the park and for our native plant sale Meet in front of the Grenadier Cafe at 10:30am for a two hour session. Latecomers, walk SE on Centre Road from the Cafe parking lot and take a right at Greenhouse Road. A High Park Volunteer Stewardship Program (VSP) event. Need more info? Contact vsp@highpark.org.

Tues March 17, 7:30pm -9pm
NANPS Winter Speaker Series:
"Echinacea and Beyond - The medicinal uses of native plants from pioneer days through today" by Dr. Nina Katalin Barabas. Some of our most valuable medicinal plants such as ginseng and goldenseal are endangered due to years of over-harvesting from the wild. The medicinal uses of native plants from pioneer days through today will be discussed. Nina's passion for native plants will inspire you to grow native herbs in your garden and help prevent their extinction. Toronto Botanical Garden (in Edwards Gardens), 777 Lawrence Ave. E. at Leslie St., Toronto. Mbrs: $5.00, Non-mbrs: $10.00. Email: nanps@nanps.org. Voicemail: 416-631-4438. NOTE: this a change from the previous scheduled presentation: "Green Gardening - A Joint Venture with Nature. Learn how to incorporate native species in the home landscape"

Weds March 18 – Sun 22
Canada Blooms
Up front, this is certainly not a native plant event. And admission's expensive+ parking's $20 (TTC it if you can) and weekends are so crowded you can't see what came for. But... interesting to see some of the new garden and landscape designs and products. So much repetition and hype you can't help but come away with a representative sample of what the conventional hort and landcsape industry is up to these days and will be shilling in common garden mags and nurseries for the the rest of 2009. Each "Best New Plant Introduction" and patented plant make my soul quiver. And all the forced-blooms (some brought in far by plane) bum me out. Worse? The dank convention centre's artificial lighting. (Yes - that's why your photos suck too). Every year I don't know why I paid money to come back. Yup. Every year. Hope springs eternal it seems, and although I personally noticed less than 6 last year, there are the occasional booths with good native plant public-ed. Please thank / encourage / support them - they're exactly where we need them! Various years participants and presenters include: Paul Morris from Acorus; NANPS; OFAH invasive species awareness program; City of Toronto Parks Rec and Forestry, and Lorraine Johnson.

Thurs March 19th, 7pm - 8:30pm
Urban Forest Orientation Session -LEAF
This session will provide ideas, information and contacts for individuals and groups who want to get involved in tree planting and care as well as tree protection in their own neighbourhoods. If you want to find out more about what urban forestry programs, services and resources exist across the city, or if you are interested in volunteer opportunities, this event is for you! There will also be time to network with others in attendance. Meet people who are involved in interesting projects and campaigns and find out where you can fit in! Share your ideas on how to protect and improve Toronto's urban forest. Free and open to the public. Registration is recommended but not required. Call 416-413-9244 x 14. High Park Library, Community Room (main floor), 228 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto.

Sat March 21, 1 pm
Suburbs, Springs and Sprawl: "The evolution of the water supply system in a thirsty city.
Walk and Workshop for World Water Day . Joint Walk with Riversides . Meet at the northwest corner of Avenue Road and Roselawn Ave. Walk Leader, Helen Mills. Lost Rivers Walks.

Sun March 22, 7am - 5pm
President's Bus Trip to Long Point Hamilton Field Naturalists. This trip is pretty well filled so call Bill Lamond 519 756 9546 ASAP if you're interested. Cost $25 per person, $40 per couple $50 max for a family. Meet at the Aldershot GO station parking lot, just south of 403 off Waterdown Rd, at 7am. We will be travelling by school bus. We expect to be back around 5pm.

Tues March 24 7pm – 9pm
Species at Risk Rural Stewardship Workshop
Halton/Peel Woodlands & Wildlife Stewardship
6215 Old Church Road, Caledon East, 905-713-7410

Thurs March 26 6:45pm to 9pm
Attracting Wildlife to your Garden with Larry Lamb
Are your thoughts of gardening starting to come to mind as the ground is thawing and the snow melting? Then come on out and join Larry for this illustrated talk and learn how to create a habitat that is attractive to animal life especially butterflies and birds. Highlighted will be the plants that you can use (not all necessarily native) to optimize the attraction. Non vegetative ways to attract other desirable animal life to your property will also be discussed. Meet at the rare admin office, 1679 Blair Road in Cambridge. Cost: $5.00. Free for rare event card holders. Register by Tuesday, March 24

Thurs March 26, 9am - 4pm
Growing Perennials From Seed. U of Guelph Arboretum
Growing many popular garden perennials from seed is easy to do at home. Join us to expand your knowledge about seed stratification, potting mixes, light and temperature requirements, disease prevention, transplanting and ongoing care. Come and start spring off early with bright lights, tiny seeds and warm potting mix! Guest Gardener: Lenore Ross. $50. To register or to find out more about more U of Guelph Arboretum Programs and Workshops check here.

Sat March 28, 10am-4pm
Green Roofs and Roof Gardens - Toronto Botanical Gardens
An Everdale and Toronto Botanical Garden programs event . Learn how to create a green roof or roof garden on both new and existing buildings. Join Janna Levitt and Terry McGladeus for this day-long workshop to learn how to create a green roof or roof garden on both new and existing buildings. Rooftop gardens improve air quality and reduce CO2 emissions, delay storm water runoff, increase habitat for birds, reduce the heat island effect, reduce cooling costs and increase the value of buildings. From structural issues to plant selection, costs to permits, this workshop looks at the planning and implementation of green roofs on both residential and larger buildings. Members $80 / Public $85. Still space available for these workshops. Register at Everdale workshops. [Note: if you're interested in this, check out the First International Green Roofs Congress coming up October 19 -22 2009 here in Toronto. "The congress will attract green infrastructure stakeholders from around the world and help spread innovate thinking that will transform our urban landscapes."

Sat March 28, 9am-Noon
Tree Planting Workshop
Credit Valley Conservation Authority watershed.
Requirements: Must own at least 2 acres of land in the CVC watershed. We welcome private landowners with at least 2 acres of land in the CVC watershed to come out to our 2009 Tree Planting Workshop. Learn about our planting programs, the advantages of planting and the great savings available. Let us answer your planting questions, find out how to save on your property taxes through planting and even win a free tree! Caledon Village Place and Library, 18313 Hwy 10, Caledon Village. To contact or for information, please call: Holly Nadalin, CVC Assistant Stewardship Technician 905-670-1615 1-800-668-5557 stewardship@creditvalleyca.ca [Note: if you have 2 acres or more of land anywhere in south or central ON, check out your local Conservation Authority's Tree Planting incentive programs]

Sat March 28, 8:30am - 4pm
Ontario Woodlot Association, AGM and conference
Our Forests — Our Commitment to Stewardship Acton ON.
Registration closes March 20

Sat March 28, 8:30pm-9:30pm
Earth Hour 2009

Mon March 30th
Society for Ecological Restoration - Ontario AGM and Panel Discussion. Our theme this year is "Restoration Planning in an Urbanized Environment". There will be a Panel Discussion discussing a variety of issues, including creation of stormwater management ponds as habitat, ecological value of Low Impact Development Technologies (i.e. bioretention swales), and need for assisted seed migration in restoration planning. York University Toronto. Details to follow shortly (keep your eyes on SER-O's site).

Tues March 31, 6pm - 9pm
Mississauga: No Plot is Too Small: Community Stewardship 101
Evergreen Common Grounds. Would you like to bring nature back to your campus or community? This workshop will offer inspiring examples, tips and tricks, and practical strategies to help you get involved in local greening projects—or even start your own! If you are interested in learning more about environmental stewardship projects on the U of T Mississauga campus and in Mississauga and how you can participate, this is the workshop for you. Location: Rm. 2068B, South Building, U of T Mississauga Campus, 3359 Mississauga Rd. N. (north of Dundas Street West). Free! To sign up or for more information, please contact Kim McNeilly, Project Manager, Mississauga: kmcneilly@evergreen.ca Office: 416-596-1495 x240 Mobile: 416-302-9234

Fri April 3, 9am- 4pm
Urban Wildlife Habitat Gardening U of Guelph Arboretum
Discover how you can feed your soul and at the same time provide much needed sanctuary for a diversity of wildlife - right in your own backyard! In this session you will select native wild plants as well as common garden annuals, perennials, and shrubs to create gardens that are beautiful, and that provide food, shelter, and water for urban wildlife. You will learn how to cultivate evening magic with night-scented plants. Garden maintenance and bird nest boxes will also be covered. Each participant will seed a flat of habitat plants to take home. Guest Instructor: Leslie Work. $50. Registration and payment required by Friday, March 20.* Maximum 16 adults.To register call 519-824-4120 ext. 52358. For more info about U of Guelph Arboretum Programs and Workshops check here.

Sat - Sun April 4 & 5, 9AM
Volunteer for Nature Leadership Training Course
This two-day training workshop will help you develop important group and project management skills, and increase your confidence in leading volunteers in the field. Use your new skills by leading a Volunteer for Nature event with Ontario Nature, or by organizing a community project in your neighbourhood. Cost: $30. See Ontario Nature's Volunteer for Nature Schedule 2009. Location: Toronto. For more info phone: 416-444-8419 toll free: 1-800-440-2366

Sun April 5, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Harbinger of Spring (and other early blooms) with Larry Lamb
This 3-4 km walk will focus on searching for our second earliest, blooming spring flower (appearing after skunk cabbage) - Harbinger of Spring. This small, delicate plant is extremely rare in Waterloo Region and throughout Canada. Scattered populations have been found at rare and participants will have an opportunity to search both the alvar/cliffs and floodplain areas of the property for this early flower as we continue to determine the full extent of the presence of this plant at rare. Participants should also keep their eyes out for other early bloomers such as the white trout lily, tooth wart and bloodroot, which also start to come out at this time of the year. Cost: $5.00. rare event card holders free). Location: Meet at the rare Resource House and Slit Barn, 768 Blair Road in Cambridge at 9:45 am. Register by Thursday, April 2.

Sun April 5, 10:30am to 1pm
Urban Forestry New Volunteer Training/Orientation Session - High Park
Welcoming new volunteers for 2009 Season City staff will provide overview of the forestry program in High Park and discuss volunteer opportunities. Howard Park Tennis Club, 430 Parkside Drive. High Park Volunteer Stewardship Program (VSP) vsp@highpark.org.

Sun April 5, 10am - 4:30
The Field Botanists of Ontario - Celebrating 25 years of incorporation and everyone's invited! Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton, Ontario. Speakers include:
John Riley & W.D. McIlveen - History of FBO – Our Beginnings and Progress
Melinda Thompson-Black - Endangered Species Act 2007
Wasyl Bakowsky - Flora of rare ecosystems of Northern Ontario
Mike Oldham - Update on the status of rare plants in Ontario G
Graham Buck - Fire as a restoration tool in southern Ontario
Rachel Gagnon - Working together to address the threat of invasive plants in Ontario

Tues April 7, 7:30pm -9pm
NANPS Winter Speaker Series:
Native Trees of Southern Ontario: helpful tree identification tips, basic tree physiology, and some personal anecdotes. Speaker: Todd Irvine. Arborist and Education Coordinator for LEAF, Todd lectures about trees, leads tree care workshops, and leads tree tours in Toronto.
Toronto Botanical Garden (in Edwards Gardens), 777 Lawrence Ave. E. at Leslie St., Toronto. Mbrs: $5.00, Non-mbrs: $10.00. Email: nanps@nanps.org. Voicemail: 416-631-4438.

Wed April 8, 11:45am - 1pm
Stewardship Network’s Webcasts. Please join the Stewardship Network the lunch hour (11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST) on the second Wednesday of each month for a free interactive online discussion and presentation on various topics relating to the care of natural lands and waters.

Skunk Cabbage April 11 2004

Clear Creek NCC, Kent County

Sat April 11, 10am - 1pm
The 12th Annual Friends of the Don East (FODE) Spring Fling at Todmorden MiIlls 67 Pottery Road. Kick off our season with our regular clean-up operation Todmorden Mills, followed by a free organic BBQ and interpretive walk of the Wildflower Preserve. In partnership with the Todmorden Wildflower Preserve. More info on the FODE events page

Wed April 11, 7pm
Green Drinks Oakville Informal monthly gathering of green minded folks at a pub in downtown Oakville. Join us for a drink or dinner. (905)842-3070. Queen's Head Pub, 118 Dunn St., Oakville

Sun April 12, 10:30am to Noon
Grenadier Pond From Winter Sleep to Spring Awakening - Christine Tu
Free Walking Tours take place every second and fourth Sunday of the month from starting at the benches just south of Grenadier Restaurant. More Info.

Tues, April 14, 7pm - 9pm
The Magic of Mycorrhizae
Royal Botanical Gardens, Hamilton
Mycorrhizal fungi are naturally found in some types of soil but once the soil has been worked ths quantity of mycorrhizae decreases drastically. John Renaud explains about this natural, symbiotic amendment that works with the roots to increase survival of your plants, reduce watering needs, increase nutrient absorption (particularly phosphorus) and improves soil structure. Members: $23.50; Non-members: $28. Maximum 25. Registration Deadline: April 3. See: Public education programs at the RBG.

Tues Apr 14
Ecological Interactions in Forest, riparian and Agro-forestry Ecosystems, Andrew Gordon from U of Guelph. Norfolk Field Naturalists. See NFN's event sched for more details.

Thurs April 16, 7pm - 8:30pm
Nature Walk - High Park Walking Tours
Meet at the benches, across the road from the south side of Grenadier Restaurant in the middle of High Park.: A small donation will be requested to pay for staff costs for these evening walks.

Thurs April 16, 7pm to 9pm
Native Plant Just Make Sense
Royal Botanical Gardens, Hamilton, Native plants help increase biodiversity and provide habitat for insects, birds and butterflies. These plants have evolved in our climate and soil conditions over many years so pesticides and fertilizers are not needed for them to flourish. Paul O’Hara provides a primer on the stunning diversity of native plants and their use in your home garden. Members: $23.50; Non-members: $28 Maximum 35. See: Public education programs at the RBG. Registration Deadline: April 15.