Are you a high school student with a love of nature and a passion for environmental stewardship? Join Nature Guelph EcoLeaders, a program that connects teens to nature. Meet other like-minded students and grow your nature knowledge with the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) and Nature Guelph Naturalist Team. Upon completion of the program, you could be selected to attend the Ontario Nature Youth Summit, with your registration fee paid by Nature Guelph!

Nature Guelph EcoLeaders is a shared initiative between Nature Guelph and the GRCA.

Participants: High school students between ages 14 and 18
Pricing: $140 per person
Schedule: One Saturday a month, September through June
10:00 am–12:00 pm with the exception of December’s Bird Banding and Christmas Bird Count for Kids, February’s Owl Prowl and April’s Dance of the Timberdoodle. See details below.
Location: Guelph Lake Nature Centre, 7743 Conservation Rd., Guelph (located in the Guelph Lake Conservation Area)
Registration: Register below. Space is limited to 20 participants.

Intake Form Required: A completed form for each participant will also be required to complete registration.

Although the programs are designed to be attended by your teens only, you are required to join them for the Christmas Bird Count for Kids on December 19 and Herptile Search at Sudden Tract on May 15. You are also invited to join them for the Campfire Social on March 20.

Drop-off and pick-up is at the Guelph Lake Nature Centre unless otherwise communicated by program facilitators. There is also parking at the Centre for older teens who are driving themselves. Each program starts promptly at 10:00 am. Please arrive on time as we will often be off-site by 10:15 am. Staff will be setting up prior to 10:00 am.

Please email youthprograms@natureguelph.ca if you have any questions. If the cost of this program is a barrier to you, please talk to us before registering.

September 12

Pond Creatures

We will use nets to “dip” in the pond to find out who makes this habitat their home. We will search for creatures like dragonfly nymphs, damsel fly nymphs, water scorpions, frogs, turtles and more. There will also be an opportunity to look at some of the smaller creatures up close using a digital microscope. Bring boots or shoes that you can get wet. 

October 17

Edible Wilds

Learn about common plants and trees in your neighborhood that are safe to eat. We will focus on identification features and safety when it comes to using these plants.

November 14

Buddy Teaching “The Grand Escape”

This is your chance to be a leader. Help run the “Grand Escape” activity for the Young Naturalists. A brief orientation will get you ready to lead a team along the Grand Escape.

December 5 – 9:00–11:00 am

Bird Banding/Winter Birds

with Arboretum Naturalist Chris Earley

Chris Earley will be leading this citizen science session about winter birds. If weather permits, we will be participating in bird banding to help monitor bird populations. The early bird gets the worm, so we will be starting this program at 9:00 am.

Program Location: Meet at the J.C. Taylor Nature Centre at The Arboretum, University of Guelph.

December 19 – 9:00 am–12:00 pm

Christmas Bird Count for Kids

Please visit the Guelph Christmas Bird Count for Kids web page to sign up for this program.

With your family, join Nature Guelph for an annual tradition. There will be a short introduction to bird identification and binocular use before we head out for a bird counting hike. After the hike, enjoy a hot drink and snacks at the tally rally. Please bring your own mug.

Nature Guelph EcoLeaders must be accompanied by an adult for this program.

January 16

Porcupine Tracking at The Arboretum

Today we will meet at The Arboretum, University of Guelph to search for resident porcupines. We will learn about porcupine ecology, and using the tracks and sign that they leave behind, track them to their winter homes.

Program Location: Meet in the parking lot at the The Arboretum Centre, University of Guelph.

February 13 – 6:00–8:00 pm

Owl Prowl

with an Introduction by Wild Ontario

WHOOOO goes there? Let your eyes adjust to the dim light and keep your ears open as we explore the exciting world of owls and other night wonders. An introduction led by Wild Ontario includes close-up encounters with bird ambassadors.

March 20

Tree-sure Hunt and Campfire Social

Tree-sure Hunt 10:00–11:00 am; Campfire Social 11:00 am–12:00 pm

Participate in a scavenger hunt using a handheld GPS unit.  By the end of the adventure, you will be comfortable using this technology to find your way. Afterwards, enjoy a campfire social. Please bring your own mug, hotdogs and/or snack to cook over the fire for you and your family to enjoy during the Campfire Social.

April 24 – 6:30–8:30 pm

Dance of the Timberdoodle

Timberdoodle, Mud Bat, Bog Sucker and Night Partridge are all names for the humble American Woodcock. Tonight, we will search for the Timberdoodle and witness their elaborate spring sky dance.

May 15

Herptile Search at Sudden Tract

Sudden Tract is one of the most biodiverse locations for herptiles in Southwestern Ontario. Nature Guelph Naturalists will be guiding this exploration as we search for snakes, frogs and salamanders.

Nature Guelph EcoLeaders must be accompanied by an adult for this program.

Program Location: Sudden Tract, Waterloo Regional Forest, 1841 Spragues Rd, Cambridge, ON 

June 12

The Great Bug Hunt

Join us for The Great Bug Hunt. We will be using sweep nets to catch and release insects, spiders and other spineless wonders.