Spring and early summer are probably best known as the peak season for wildflowers, however many don’t realize how much the fall has to offer too! Join ecologist Dan Stuart for a whirlwind wildflower tour to explore High Park’s forests, wetlands, and oak savannah ecosystems and their late-season bloomers. This workshop will focus on plant identification techniques and ecosystem dynamics, with an emphasis on native fall wildflower groups such as Asters and Goldenrods.

Participants will leave with the following:

• An understanding of foundational plant identification methods, including familiarity with the use of a dichotomous key.
• Knowledge of plant anatomy, with a focus on specialized structures specific to Asters, Goldenrods, prairie grasses, and other late-season wildflowers.
• The ability to identify many native fall-blooming species located in High Park and beyond.

The workshop will include an indoor seminar followed by an outdoor field hike. The hike will be moderate in difficulty, and participants should come prepared with comfortable outdoor gear. Those with access to hand lens should bring one along, as some plants require examination of small-scale parts.

Inclement Weather Date: At the discretion of the workshop leader, the outdoor portion of this workshop may need to be rescheduled due to severe weather such as a snowstorm, freezing rain, extreme cold alert or high winds. In this situation, the Nature Centre will email participants at least one and half hours prior to the program start time. The rescheduled Inclement Weather date for this workshop is: Sunday, October 14th, 2:00 - 6:00 PM.

Workshop Fees:

$50 Early Bird (Must register at least three weeks in advance)
$60 Regular
$44 Seniors (age 60+)

Cancellation Policies

Requests for refunds made 14 or more days before the start of the program will receive a 90% refund (10% will be retained as an administration fee).  Requests for refunds made less than 14 days before the start of the program will receive no refund.  Requests for cancellations or refunds must be made in writing and submitted to the High Park Nature Centre at info@highparknaturecentre.com.

Please note, the High Park Nature Centre may cancel any event if the minimum number of participants is not achieved 14 days prior to the start of the workshop.  We would notify registered participants of cancellation at that time and provide a full refund.