Join our fantastic team of naturalists and dive into interactive online learning experiences! Take courses individually or do all 3 together!
Use a nature journal to become a better naturalist
Are you passionate about nature and keen to improve your skills of observation? In this course, you will learn what a nature journal is, how the art of questioning can guide your journaling practice, and how you can use a nature journal to build your skills and knowledge as a naturalist. Most importantly, you will be given the tools you need to continue your nature journaling practice beyond the course.
Price: $29
(take 15% off if enrolled in 3-part Online Naturalist Experience)
Module 1: Nature Journaling Basics
Module 2: Discover Your Nature Journaling Style
Module 3: Making the Most of Your Nature Journal
Bonus Content
This course is mainly focussed on how to best use a nature journal to improve your naturalist knowledge, and therefore does not emphasize artistic instruction. As such, required materials are minimal! All you will need are:
Optional materials:
Emily Beaton
HPNC Adult Programs Coordinator
After earning a BSc in Biology, Emily moved to Toronto in 2016 to complete a Masters in the History of Science. One of her favourite things to discover in her new home was the beauty of High Park! She started working at the Nature Centre in 2018.
Emily first learned to love nature journaling in my Biology courses in university, where she made messy sketches of specimens and scribbled down information all over the pages of her lab notebooks! Her naturalist knowledge and connection to nature have continued to grow since she began nature journaling in earnest in 2018. Putting a pencil to paper can be scary sometimes, but she's here to tell you that you don’t have to be an artist to nature journal! All you need is a drive to continue learning new things and a desire to grow your relationship with the natural world!
An introduction to the world of fungi - their fascinating biodiversity and the basics of identification!
Are you interested in learning about the fantastic world of fungi but not sure where to start? In this course you will learn the fungi basics: what they are, what they do for our ecosystems, how they are classified, and how to identify them! Most importantly, you will come away with a new appreciation for fungi and the tools to keep exploring!
Price: $29
(take 15% off if enrolled in 3-part Online Naturalist Experience)
Module 1: An Introduction to Fungi
Module 2: Identifying Fungi
Module 3: Try It Yourself!
Bonus Content
Kami Valkova
HPNC Clubs Coordinator
Back in high school Kami was introduced to the kingdom of fungi and found them absolutely fascinating! Her academic path led her to obtain her Bachelor of Arts & Sciences (Ecology and Psychology), and Master of Education (outdoor integrated education). Since completing her MEd in April 2017 she's been working (and learning!) at the High Park Nature Centre.
Kami finds that the most intimidating part of learning about a new aspect of nature is knowing where to begin and what questions to ask. Join her for an online adventure in Fantastic Fungal Friends and she'll introduce you to this weird and wonderful world to get you started!
Get to know the birds in your neighbourhood and become a better birder
Why do some species thrive in the city? What threats do they face, and how do they adapt? In this course you will learn about city birds, what makes them so interesting, and practice some basic birding skills by getting to know the species you are most likely to find in the cities and backyards of southern Ontario. You don't have to leave the city to start birding!
Price: $29
(take 15% off if enrolled in 3-part Online Naturalist Experience)
Module 1: Birds and the City
Module 2: Birding 101
Module 3: Common Birds of the City
Bonus Content
Mallory Parks
Camps Supervisor
Mallory grew up in a small town, but moved to Toronto for university and has loved the city ever since. She has a Masters in Forest Conservation from the University of Toronto, and has been working at the High Park Nature Centre since 2011.
When Mallory started at the Nature Centre trees were her main thing, but over the years she's have developed a keen interest in birds. Though she is no bird expert, she's here to prove that birding doesn't need to be intimidating! All you need is a keen interest and willingness to look around and listen.
The Online Naturalist Experience gives you access to three new online naturalist courses:
Receive a 15% discount on individual course pricing when you register for this package.
Use your nature journal as a tool to level up your naturalist knowledge!
Delve into fungal biodiversity to find out more about the wild and wacky groups they form!
Learn the basics of birding and practice your skills with ID sheets and quizzes!
Our adult workshops are aimed at an adult audience looking to learn more about nature. While we normally love connecting with participants in person at our cozy home in High Park, things are a bit different these days. If you had your eye on one of the amazing workshops that had been scheduled for this Spring - do not fear! We're working hard with our valued adult workshop leaders to reschedule these workshops for a later date.
However, during this time when our in person offerings have been postponed, we have been busy developing new strategies to connect adult learners with nature safely - and we're so excited to share our latest project - Online Naturalist Courses - with you!
New Year Nature: An Outdoor Winter Retreat - January 4
High Park Lichens: Discover the "Corals" of the Forest - February 22
Fall Birding for Beginners - September 18 & 21
Savannah Sketchbook - September 28
Fantastic Fungal Friends: Mushrooms and Other Fungi of High Park - October 6
Summer Wildflower ID - July 22
Summer Tree ID - August 12
From Houndstongue to Shepherd's Purse: Wildflower Names and Their Meanings - August 19
Spring Birding for Beginners - May 8 & 11
Spring Wildflower ID - May 26
Teachers in Nature - January 26
Winter Bird Photography - February 2
Winter Tree ID for Beginners - February 3
Nature Journaling: Origins of Citizen Science - March 2
Birds of Prey - September 27 & 29
Making Friends with Places: A Passage de Toronto - October 9 & 11
Fall Wildflowers - October 13
Autumn Tree Drawing - October 21
An Introduction to Mushrooms and Other Fungi - October 27
Poisons, Spines & Blisters: Plants with a Dark Side - July 12
Dragonflies and Damselflies 101: Biology and Identification - July 28
Friend or Foe: The Intriguing World of Weeds - August 9
Butterflies 101: Biology and Identification - August 18
Outdoor Play in the Early Years - April 21
Spring Birding for Beginners - May 3 & 5 (Two-Part Beginner Workshop)
Spring Songbirds - May 24 & 26 (Two-Part Intermediate Workshop)
Intro to Landscape Drawing in the High Park Savannah - June 17
High Park Lichens - Feb. 10
Winter Landscape Photography – Mar. 3
Birds of Prey – Mar. 4
Winter Tree ID for Beginners - Mar. 24
