Celebrate Birds and Ravines at the Humber Arboretum
Wednesday May 2, 2018
This May in Toronto there are two festivals all about appreciating and enjoying the natural world that surrounds, supports and permeates our urban environment, and the Humber Arboretum has plenty of ways for you to take part!
First, the City of Toronto's Ravine Days returns May 11 - 13, encouraging locals to learn about and explore the natural ravine system that's so special to the city.
Then, it's a Bird Party! The 2nd Annual Toronto Bird Celebration is taking over sites around the city from May 12 - 27, including many events right here at the Humber Arboretum. There's a lot to celebrate about nature in Toronto this May.
Friday May 11
Putting Toronto's Ravine Strategy into Action: Humber's Sustainable Pond Project
Noon - 12:45 pm (Free, please RSVP)
The new Sustainable Pond Project at Humber College is an exciting restoration project which will help protect the health of the Humber River while providing improved wildlife habitat and gathering spaces for the community. Bring your lunch to the Centre for Urban Ecology and hear Humber Arboretum Director Alexandra Link and staff from Toronto and Region Conservation Authority explain the vision and the benefits of the project and how it helps support the city's new Ravine Strategy.
Saturday May 12
The Humber Arboretum Bird Blitz
8:30 am - 10:00 am (Free, please RSVP)
Kick off the city-wide Toronto Bird Celebration with a morning bird walk at the Humber Arboretum where we'll try to identify as many species as we can! All ages and skill levels are welcome. Bring binoculars if you have them; if not, we will have pairs available to borrow.
Ravine Days - Outdoor Music
9:45 am & 11:00 am
Drop by the front entrance of the Arboretum after your bird walk, before your gardening workshop, or just while you're out for a walk in the Arb to enjoy an acoustic performance by Humber Music grad Claire Copeland.
The Birds and the Bees Gardening Workshop
10:30 am - 12:00 pm (Free, please RSVP)
Join Humber Arboretum staff for a free workshop on creating a garden with nature in mind. Learn how to choose plants and create structures that will attract and support birds, bees, and other wildlife.
*Bonus event - Come for the birds and stay for the science! Separate from the Toronto Bird Festival and Ravine Days, May 12 is also Science Rendezvous and the University of Guelph-Humber, which is just across the parking lot from the Arb, has a free Science Rendezvous Festival taking place in the UofGH Atrium from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Stop by after your walk or your workshop to explore free activities for all ages.
Wednesday May 16
Breaking Birding Boundaries - My Ontario Big Year with Jeremy Bensette
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm (Free, please RSVP)
Point Pelee area birder and naturalist Jeremy Bensette had a record-breaking Ontario Big Year in 2017, travelling to the far reaches of the province in pursuit of every bird species he could possibly cross paths with. Hear Jeremy speak about his competitive and very social birding journey, then join him for an informal Q&A/walk around the Humber Arboretum.
Saturday May 19
9:00 am - 1:00 pm ($25, register online)
Domestic chickens are the most common bird in the world, so why not spend some time getting to know them? A coop and hens will be present for this fun learning experience that will teach you how to raise your own egg laying flock.
Saturday May 26
Offsite - 9th Annual Spring Bird Festival at Colonel Samuel Smith Park
10:00 am - 2:00 pm (Free)
Staff from the Humber Arboretum will be joining a variety of partners to offer programming at the stunning waterfront park surrounding Humber College's Lakeshore Campus. Free activities included hourly guided bird walks, live birds, reptiles and amphibians, backyard habitat building, art workshops, children’s activities, and educational displays.
More Information:
For the full slate of Toronto Bird Celebration events across the city, visit torontobirdweek.ca
For more on Ravine Days, visit the City of Toronto Festival & Events Calendar
If you've never visited the Humber Arboretum before, get started with maps and directions.