Branching Out in High Park
Join an inclusive and diverse nature interpretation mentorship program and lead multilingual nature hikes in High Park.
Branching Out: Multilanguage Nature Hikes
We're now accepting applications for the Spring 2024 season of our Branching Out Mentorship Program
The deadline to apply for our FREE Branching Out program for the Spring 2024 season is Friday, March 8, at 11:59PM
Branching Out is currently on hold as we restructure and rethink our offerings. If you are interested in the program, or interested in learning more about it, contact us!
Branching Out is our unique mentorship program for people interested in creating a meaningful nature experience for their community in the language linked to their culture. In exchange for 16 hours of skill development, participants who speak English and another language will design and deliver a nature walk for the public in the language linked to their culture.
Imagine the thrill of teaching others the name of a bird or plant in a language you hold close to your heart! Thanks to this program, we have been able to hold nature walks in High Park in Afrikaans, Arabic, Cantonese, Dutch, Farsi, French, German, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, Tamil, Turkish, Urdu and Ukrainian.
Summer 2024 Nature Hikes:
- June 25 – Urdu Nature Walk
- July 6 – Afrikaans Nature Walk
- July 11 – Mandarin Nature Walk
- July 20 – French Nature Walk
- July 27 – Spanish Nature Walk
- August 10 – Italian Nature Walk
- August 24 – Spanish Nature Walk
We hope the following offerings will make it easier for everyone to participate.
- TTC fare
- Snacks
- You can apply to participate with a friend who speaks the same language and lead your hike together!
Hike routes through High Park might include some uneven terrain and mild slopes.
The High Park Nature Centre’s Forest School building is not yet an AODA-compliant facility. We try our best to accommodate accessibility needs on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to us about any accessibility-related questions you might have.
We welcome registered therapy or guide dogs to our events. However, we kindly ask that that family pets be left at home.
Dogs and other pets are not permitted in our programs. However, certified service animals, such as registered therapy or guide dogs, are welcome.
Program activities will include learning about Land Acknowledgements and learning from Land. We will also learn from and about all three of High Park’s ecosystems (Black Oak Savannah, Woodland, Wetland), their history and inhabitants.
Each session will include best practices for sharing information to create experiences that build and deepen connections people have with the park.
Nature is always our guide so we may switch around what we teach to reflect what is happening in the moment!
- Fill out the online application form by Friday, March 8, at 11:59PM.
- The names of all applicants who meet the criteria and can commit to the program will be entered into a draw. If you apply to participate with a friend and one name is drawn both will be given the chance to participate.
A total of 15 participants will be selected.
This program is funded entirely by The Chawkers Foundation. We are truly grateful for their generous support.
We hope the following offerings will make it easier for everyone to participate.
- TTC fare
- Snacks
- You can apply to participate with a friend who speaks the same language and lead your hike together!
Program activities will include learning about Land Acknowledgements and learning from Land. We will also learn from and about all three of High Park’s ecosystems (Black Oak Savannah, Woodland, Wetland), their history and inhabitants.
Each session will include best practices for sharing information to create experiences that build and deepen connections people have with the park.
Nature is always our guide so we may switch around what we teach to reflect what is happening in the moment!
The deadline to apply for our Branching Out program for the Spring 2024 season is Friday, March 8, at 11:59PM.
Participants will need to attend the six sessions on the following dates and times:
- Saturday, March 23, 1:00-3:00 PM
- Saturday, April 6, 1:00-3:00 PM
- Saturday, April 13, 1:00-4:00 PM
- Saturday, April 20, 1:00-4:00 PM
- Saturday, April 27, 1:00-4:00 PM
- Saturday, May 4 , 1:00-4:00 PM
This schedule might be subject to change. Participants will be informed of any changes.
- Fill out the online application form by Friday, March 8, at 11:59PM.
- The names of all applicants who meet the criteria and can commit to the program will be entered into a draw. If you apply to participate with a friend and one name is drawn both will be given the chance to participate.
A total of 15 participants will be selected.
This program is funded entirely by The Chawkers Foundation. We are truly grateful for their generous support.