Our free events and workshops are designed to be fun, educational, and rewarding.

School of Woodland Ecology: Update

We are currently working on a partnership with the P.E.I Woodlot Owners Association. Please stay tuned for dates and information or follow us on social media!

Join Macphails staff for a winter hike through our trail system for some fresh air and exercise. 

Dress appropriately for the weather, and feel free to bring snowshoes if you have them. Participants will have access to the Macphail Woods washroom facilities directly before and after the hike.

Saturdays 10am-12pm, March 21st, May 30th, July 25th, October 3rd

Join us for a talk on our native owls and then come for a night hike on our trails to learn how to hoot for them.

 Feel free to bring a flashlight, as it's very dark outside this time of year. Dress accordingly for the weather - our events go ahead rain or shine!

This is a popular event, so we schedule two each year. Dates for 2026: Saturday April 11th & Saturday April 18th from 7:30pm-9:30pm.

Register Here 

This workshop will look at creating diverse, beautiful and functional hedgerows and windbreaks using a variety of native plants. Participants will learn about which plants are best, spacing, planting and maintenance. 

The workshop will begin with a presentation inside the Nature Centre, followed by a walk through our arboretum! Dress accordingly for the weather - our events go ahead rain or shine.

Saturday, May 9th, 10 am-11:30 am

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A beautiful complimentary breakfast will be served at the historic homestead followed by a guided walk led by Dwaine Oakley and Fiep de Bie.

Saturday, May 16th

Breakfast: 7:00 am - 8:00am

Walk: 8:00am-10:00 am

Register Here

Native Landscape Gardening

Want to start incorporating natives into your yard, or outdoor space but don't know where to start? Join Macphail Woods for an in-depth exploration of planting with natives. Native plants are suited to our environment, are resilient to climate change, attract wildlife, and add beauty to an area. We will cover plant habitat, explore the native plants we have on the property and answer any questions you might have about native plants! 

May 23rd, 10 am 

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Kate is one of the province’s foremost biologists. Her talk and walk will focus on many of the plants, both native and non-native, that you commonly encounter, plus a look at lots of rare trees, shrubs, wildflowers and ferns found in our arboretum. You won’t want to miss this one. 

This workshop will take place outside on the Macphail Homestead property. Dress accordingly for the weather as our events go ahead rain or shine.

Saturday, June 6th 10 am -12 pm

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Join us for a special walk and talk by Bob Bancroft, the well-known CBC Radio Maritime Noon guest. Drawing upon his career as a wildlife biologist and avid nature lover, Bob offers a unique perspective on Maritime ecology over the last half-century.

His topic is "Hijacked! How natural resource industries are eroding democratic
processes and why we should be concerned."

This workshop will begin with a presentation inside the Nature Centre, followed by a walk outside. 

Saturday, June 13th 2 pm - 3:30 pm

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Join Gary Schneider for a sunny hike through our forests during the prime growing season. This busy time of year is a flurry of activity in the forest, from fresh blooms, juicy fruits and active wildlife sure to Invigorate the senses and foster a rejuvenated love for the natural world.

Saturday, July 18th, 2pm - 4pm

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Come learn about our unique coastal habitats and wind-blow krummholz forests. Growing along exposed shores, these gnarly and fascinating places are critical habitats for many native species as well as the Island’s natural shield against coastal winds, waves and flooding.

Saturday, August 8th  at 10am

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Join us for an educational walk and talk in our Wabanaki-Acadian Forest at Macphail Woods. Share knowledge with experienced forest ecologists, and revel in the beauty of Autumn in the forest, and all the changes that come with it. 

This walk will go ahead rain or shine, so dress accordingly for the weather. It will begin outside the Nature Centre.

Saturday October 10th, 2pm - 4pm

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Natural History of PEI 

Our forests have a rich, complex, and fascinating story to tell about our island's history. Join ecologist and researcher Daniel McRae for an eye-opening look into PEI’s past by exploring forests. Discover telltale signs of farming, foresting, and other disturbances, and gain a deeper appreciation for our forests.

November 14th (1-3 pm) 

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Discover the beauty and wonder of the Wabanaki-Acadian Forest in the winter. Join us for a walk through our trails and learn to recognize keystone species in the cooler months of the year, including winter buds, wildlife signs, and all the important functions of winter in the forests. 

Our walks go ahead regardless of the weather, so dress warm!

Sunday, December 6th, 10am - 11:30am

Register Here