Events

Plant Identification II: Shrubs and Beyond

Shrubs provide habitat and food for wildlife as well as a staggering number of ecological benefits from nitrogen fixation to shoreline protection. This four-hour course will take us into the Macphail Woods Arboretum which showcases many of the native shrubs you can find across the province. We’ll also introduce a selection of ferns and wildflowers.

Bundle this course with Plant Identification I for only $100

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Woodland Ecology II: Forest Assessment

When trying to manage a forest, being informed about the specific composition of species, soils, water and light is a must. This day-long course will give you practical experience assessing a variety of forest types, continuing to develop the skills introduced in course one.

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Woodland Ecology I: Introduction to Forest Stewardship

This course helps landowners gain the knowledge and skills they need to enjoy, improve and manage their own woodlot whether it be creating better access, harvesting wood or creating a refuge for local wildlife. Over the one-day course students will gain hands-on experience in pruning, plant identification, habitat improvement, harvesting, forest management, and more.

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Basic Chainsaw I: Safety and Felling

Spring Session: Saturday, April 11th
Fall Session: Saturday,November 7th

When trying to manage a forest, being informed about the specific composition of species, soils, water and light is a must. This day-long course will give you practical experience assessing a variety of forest types, continuing to develop the skills introduced in course one.

Learn More About our School of Woodland Ecology

Basic Chainsaw II: Maintenance and Felling

Spring Session: Sunday, April 12th
Fall Session: Sunday,November 8th

This course will continue to build on skills learned in Basic Chainsaw I. The morning will be devoted to learning how to properly maintain your saw and sharpen your chain with precision. The afternoon will once again be spent in the woods learning how to limb, buck and deal with spring poles.

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The morning is spent introducing chainsaw safety basics. This includes, PPE, first aid preparedness, emergency planning, pre start checklists and a discussion of wood fibre and tree physiology. In the afternoon we head outside and the participants learn how to develop a felling plan, practice onsite communication and learn to fell using an open face notch and bore-cut. We also use this time to work on important issues, such as, how to deal with by-pass, and develop a safe felling order.

We start with chainsaw maintenance. During this time, attendees will get hands-on practice doing daily maintenance with a focus on sharpening. In the afternoon, we head back outside and learn to disarm spring poles, how to develop a limbing plan, and limbing and bucking techniques and strategies.


The morning is spent introducing chainsaw safety basics. This includes, PPE, first aid preparedness, emergency planning, pre start checklists and a discussion of wood fibre and tree physiology. In the afternoon we head outside and the participants learn how to develop a felling plan, practice onsite communication and learn to fell using an open face notch and bore-cut. We also use this time to work on important issues, such as, how to deal with by-pass, and develop a safe felling order.

We start with chainsaw maintenance. During this time, attendees will get hands-on practice doing daily maintenance with a focus on sharpening. In the afternoon, we head back outside and learn to disarm spring poles, how to develop a limbing plan, and limbing and bucking techniques and strategies.


We start with chainsaw maintenance. During this time, attendees will get hands-on practice doing daily maintenance with a focus on sharpening. In the afternoon, we head back outside and learn to disarm spring poles, how to develop a limbing plan, and limbing and bucking techniques and strategies.