Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Join us at our next events!
"KnoWhere": Tracing Heritage in Brant
Sept. 27, 10:00am
Penman's Pass Trail (Paris) (max. capacity 30 participants)
Please join Adrian Hutchison, for a short hike at Penman’s Pass, followed by a more comprehensive presentation at the Paris Library.
Topic
Heritage isn’t just a record of the past; it’s a present choice about what we carry forward into the future. Along the Grand River, abandoned mills, crumbling bridge piers, and derelict dams remind us of the Victorian era, resource extraction, and environmental change. At the same time, they point to both the limits and the possibilities of this place, reminders of history as the foundations of our future.
These ruins are often seen as nostalgic relics, but they also reflect our ongoing relationship with nature. The pollution and broken ecosystems speak of a toxic legacy, while the very same structures show our power to reshape the land. If ignored, they become waste; if we reimagine them, they can stand as monuments to the future we choose to build with nature.
On this walk, we’ll learn to explore the landscape as a living archive, uncovering the plaster beds that named our town, the remains of Canada’s largest textile mill, and forgotten bits of local architecture. Afterward, a presentation will explore how these features formed over time and discuss challenges and strategies for preserving both our natural and cultural heritage.
Adrian Hutchinson is a graduate from the McEwen School of Architecture (BAS) and the University of Waterloo (M.Arch[water]) with longstanding interests in critical heritage studies, place based environmental design, and land-based pedagogies. Between semesters he has planted over 750,000 trees across Canada’s northern forests, led canoe trips on rivers and lakes across Ontario and Quebec, and received numerous awards for environmental stewardship and design research including national and international design competitions and residencies, building expertise in the intersection of heritage, water, and architectural design. He currently practices as an Intern Architect at Two Row Architect, on Six Nations of the Grand River territory.
Please register here: https://forms.gle/UA5vAUg4DuDULBAt9
Bird Box Maintenance
Oct. 25, 10:00am
New Forest in the City, Brant Park
We will be maintaining the Blue Bird and Tree Swallow nesting boxes at New Forest in the City and Brant Park. This also involves recording the success rate of bird breeding in the nesting boxes.
Please register here: https://forms.gle/smtEJmSAWt2phmTu5
Bees Presentation & Workshop
Nov. 29, 10:00am
St. George Heritage Building
Please join Victoria McPhail (Ph.D.) who is with Pollination Guelph who will present about wild bees and citizen conservation.
"Dr. Victoria MacPhail is an ecologist and pollination biologist with expertise in pollination, from plant breeding systems to bumble bee identification and pollinator-friendly gardening. She has a PhD in community science and conservation from York University. Dr. MacPhail is the former coordinator of the Canadian Pollination Initiative network and helped develop the Native Pollinator Initiative at Wildlife Preservation Canada. She is a founding member and current Co-Chair for Pollination Guelph, a completely volunteer-run charitable organization that works to protect pollinators and their habitats. She also helped launch and was an expert reviewer and administrator with the community science program Bumble Bee Watch. Dr. MacPhail has had experience working in academica, government, and ENGOs, and enjoys sharing her knowledge with others across Canada."
Please register here: https://forms.gle/ZxVETXv7yozS6zM56
Natural Gardens
Jan. 10, 10:00am
Brantford Public Library (max. capacity 30 participants)
Please join “Master Gardeners” to learn about creating natural gardens in your own backyard and the benefits to the environment. Session includes a winter sowing component, so bring your own pot!
Presenters & Background:
Kevin Kavanagh - Worked for Nature Conservancy of Canada and owns his own nursery featuring native species
Kimberly Hutten- Recently received a horticulture certificate in Natural Landscape Management from the University of Guelph with a focus on native plants and their communities and ecosystem benefits.
Carolyn Bennett - Background in veterinary science, is an avid birder and participates in banding around Southern Ontario.
Please register here: https://forms.gle/P2NqN3FVvH96n2bj8
Animal Tracking
Feb. 21, 10:00am
Pinehurst Conservation Area
Join our resident nature expert Laurel Winger, who will take us on a journey to explore animal identification, behaviour and habitats. Exploring animal tracks "detective style" is a great hands-on way to learn about local wildlife.
Please register here: https://forms.gle/Y9f8eSX9obbRDjtZ9
Birds of Prey Presentation, Build a Bird Box, & AGM
Mar. 8, 1:00pm
Brant Rod & Gun Club
Please join Sally Cheung and Jenn Bockfrom Wild Ontario (University of Guelph) for an introduction to some of the province's most incredible hunting birds! In this program you'll learn all about raptors, and the amazing skills and abilities that help them survive in the wild. Through the stories of these special birds you'll also learn about how humans can impact wild birds, and what you can do to help!" Experts from the Wild Ontario conservation will be bringing live birds to the presentation!
Build a Bird Box Workshop
After the presentation, you will have the opportunity to build a bird nesting box! Please bring a hammer and a few screwdrivers if you can.
The annual general meeting will take place after the bird box workshop.
Please register here: https://forms.gle/9nt5FHncdfnVSGfr6
Turtle Workshop
May 2, 10:00am
Brant Rod & Gun Club
Please join Jeff Leader for our third annual Turtle Workshop. Jeff has initiated the “Brant For Turtles” conservation program. This local program is aimed at educating Brant/Brantford citizens about the perils turtles are facing, helping to protect them from human impacts, and aimed at improving their nesting success.
Please register here: https://forms.gle/a9GGCBHdYRLo1LJD6
Trails of Six Nations
May 23, 10:00am
Six Nations Tourism Trail
Please join Kerdo Deer, renowned Six Nations naturalist. Kerdo will lead us on a hike to learn about native flora and fauna. He will also teach us about the importance of nature to First Nations people and the significant spiritual relationship nature plays in their culture.
Please register here: https://forms.gle/1YW9gyLQ68uGQhgY7
Horticulture Therapy
June 20, 10:00am
Location TBD
Please join Meagan Bains for an engaging horticulture therapy workshop. The program includes interactive hands-on activities like building therapeutic planters, guided meditative nature walks that incorporate mindfulness practices, or experiential sessions demonstrating evidence-based horticultural therapy techniques. Each approach integrates both the clinical benefits of nature-based interventions with holistic wellness practices.
Please register here: https://forms.gle/yNBgrF6vvzCpA1wZ7