Toronto Environmental Events 2010: March 8 - March 14, 2009

9:30am

Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival

Kortright Centre for Conservation, 9550 Pine Valley Dr Vaughan, ON & Bruce’s Mill Conservation Area, 3291 Stouffville Rd, Stouffville, ON (map)

The Festival will include food and drinks, fun for all ages and lots of entertainment including daily self guided activities at both locations: maple syrup demonstrations, syrup sampling, horse drawn wagon rides, pony rides and petting zoo (at Bruce’s Mill only). There are also hour-long daily maple syrup guided walks. Throughout the day visitors at Kortright will be entertained by a variety of activities including: a birds of prey demo, Earth Rangers Animal Show, face painting, The Doug Barr Children’s Show, Nature Stories, and new this year, strolling unicycle and juggler performances. The Easter Bunny also makes its visit on April 4 from noon- 2 pm. At Bruce’s Mill visitors will get to see presentations and live animal displays from the Muskoka Wildlife Centre, and performances from Robert Davis Children’s Music Show, The Doug Barr Children’s Show, strolling unicycle and juggler performances, face painting, word carver demo, balloon artist, and an appearance by Dora the Explorer on the weekend of April10-11 Both locations offer March Break activities for families looking for fun outdoor activities and programs. For a complete schedule of events, please visit http://www.maplesyrupfest.com Cost: $8 for adults $6 for kids and seniors. Children four and under are admitted free with their family and members are free. Parking is $4 per vehicle at Kortright Conservation Centre and free at Bruce’s Mill. For more information: http://www.maplesyrupfest.com  

6:30pm

Brampton: Tuesdays on the Trail - Birding for Beginners

Wexford Park, Brampton (map)

Learn the basics, from using binoculars to attracting birds to your yard. Look for birds that make the trail their home. Cost: FREE For more information: Jessika Corkum-Gorrill - (416) 661-6600 ext.5748

3pm

Dufferin Grove Organic Farmers’ Market

873 Dufferin St, Toronto (in Dufferin Grove Park) (map)

Outdoors around the rinkhouse in summer; in and around the rinkhouse in winter. For more information: http://www.dufferinpark.ca/market/wiki/wiki.php

6pm

Durham Region Green Drinks

ON THE ROCKS, 227 Brock St. S, Whitby (map)

Do you want to meet a lively group of friendly people interested in environmental issues from academia, business, government and NGOs for good conversation? If so, join us for drinks! There's no agenda or other formality - it's a chance to meet regularly to chat, debate, socialize and connect with other Durham residents and business people passionate about environmental and sustainability issues. For more information: http://www.greendrinks.org/ON/Durham%20Region  

6pm

Port Perry: Open House - Lake Scugog Environmental Management Plan

121 Queen St., Port Perry (Latcham Centre) (map)

We have completed the final draft of the Lake Scugog Environmental Management Plan (LSEMP). See the latest research and strategies for the reduction of nutrients and aquatic plant growth in Lake Scugog. A presentation on the plan and strategies will take place. There will also be displays and staff available to answer questions. Presentation at 7 p.m. and again at 8 p.m. For more information: http://www.kawarthaconservation.com/pdf/LSEMP_OpenHouse_Poster_Feb10.pdf

7pm

Grafton Community Gardening Night

Roncesvalles and Queen, Toronto (Grafton Community Garden) (map)

Join the West End Flower Fairies, residents and business owners to help green the community! Participants will be out every Wednesday, Rain or Shine.

3pm

Dufferin Grove Organic Farmers' Market

South of Bloor on the east side of Dufferin, in Dufferin Grove Park (map)

A year-round farmers' market every Thursday afternoon from 3 to 7 pm. Outdoors in the beauty of the park in summer, on the skating rink pad in fall, and inside the rink buildings throughout the winter. Local farmers and city-based food producers bring a great variety of organic foods. A special feature of the market is wood-fired oven breads baked right in the park. For more information contact: Phone: 416-392-0913

7pm

Ecological Garden Design (Intro)

751 George St. North, Peterborough (Sadleir House Lecture Hall) (map)

Learn how to consciously design and maintain a productive a productive garden ecosystem that has the diversity, stability and resilience of a natural ecosystem. This introductory course, first presented in the Spring of 2009, focuses on the food producing aspects of ecological designs, exploring what it means to allow nature to do the work while increasing yields and decreasing inputs in the garden. This 16-hour course is concentrated over 2 weeks and includes assignments using available reference books for research and information. Part 2: Sat, March 13, 2010, 10am-4.30pm Part 3: March 30th, 10am-4.30pm Part 4: Thursday, March 25th, 7-9pm (Saturday, please bring your own lunch) For more information: Pre-register with Joan Michaels at 743-8032 or email joanttp@cogeco.ca

5am

St. Lawrence North Farmers’ Market

92 Front Street East, Toronto (at Jarvis) (map)

For more information: http://www.stlawrencemarket.com/

8:30am

The Village Organic Farmers’ Market at Toronto Waldorf School

9100 Bathurst St, Toronto (map)

For more information: http://www.villagemarket.ca/  

10am

Ecological Garden Design (Part 2)

Sadleir House Lecture Hall, 751 George St. North, Peterborough (map)

Learn how to consciously design and maintain a productive a productive garden ecosystem that has the diversity, stability and resilience of a natural ecosystem. This introductory course, first presented in the Spring of 2009, focuses on the food producing aspects of ecological designs, exploring what it means to allow nature to do the work while increasing yields and decreasing inputs in the garden. This 16-hour course is concentrated over 2 weeks and includes assignments using available reference books for research and information. Part 2: Sat, March 13, 2010, 10am-4.30pm Part 3: March 30th, 10am-4.30pm Part 4: Thursday, March 25th, 7-9pm (Saturday, please bring your own lunch) For more information: Pre-register with Joan Michaels at 743-8032 or email joanttp +at+ cogeco +dot+ ca

10am

Mississauga: Maple Syrup Festival

Bradley Museum 1620 Orr Rd. Mississauga, Ontario (map)

From March 13th to the 21st, Bradley Museum offers Mississauga’s own Maple Syrup Festival! Enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides and pancakes served daily in our log cabin, along with guided tours, kids’ crafts, free samples and more. New this year try your hand at geocaching – an electronic scavenger hunt – on the Museum grounds! On the weekends delight in toe-tapping folk music, soar up into the air in a Forestry Division bucket truck— all this in addition to learning about maple syrup production the old and new ways. Don’t miss the Sweet Water Camp, a recreated First Nations campsite where you can learn about the lore and legends surrounding the first discovery of this marvellous water that oozes out of maple trees. Monday March 15th is also “Grandparents’ Day” so bring your grandkids out for an afternoon of fun. Free Activity Passes to any Mississauga recreation centre will be issued to the first 100 grandparents who come with grandkids in tow! For more information: 905-615-4860www.museumsofmississauga.com  

10am

Oshawa: Purple Woods Maple Syrup Festival

Purple Woods Conservation Area - Simcoe St. & Coates Rd. (map)

With the approach of spring a person may be sure of several things: birds will be singing and pancakes flipping at Central Lake Ontario Conservation's Annual Maple Syrup Festival at Purple Woods Conservation Area in Oshawa. A visit to the Festival makes a great family outing! Visitors to the Festival will be able to compare maple syrup production methods from over 400 years ago through the modern methods of today. With many special features, there is something for the entire family. Features include horse-drawn wagon rides, historical displays and more. A schedule of special features is located on the Authority's website at www.cloca.com. Do you have a sweet tooth? The Sugar Store will be open daily for visitors to purchase maple syrup and maple products such as sugar candy and fudge. General admission does not include pancakes or wagon rides. Sorry no pets allowed. Cost: Family:$7 Adult:$3 Children/Senior:$2 For more information: www.cloca.com 905-579-0411

10am

Toronto: Woodworking workshop for Women

John Innes Community Centre 150 Sherbourne Street Toronto (map)

Timberdoodle carpentry workshops designed by women for women. What makes timberdoodle unique is in our use of recycled materials. We aim to build everything out of materials found at the curb side, in back alleys, construction site bins, online and "unwanted/useless" items hidden in your basement or attic. Participants will be taught how to disassemble found items, what to look for in found materials and what to consider when using found materials. This workshop: The Multi-Purpose-Worm-Bin-Fantastico Its basically a box with a lid that you can put stuff into (storage). Why a box? A few reasons... boxes are useful; the principle is always the same, but the size, shape and style can always change. Building boxes applies very basic and fundamental principles of construction that is transferable to just about any other type of construction project (think about it... a house is just a big box really). The twist for the Fantastico is that it is built so you can put an old bluebin container (or other similar sized container such as 5 gallon buckets) into it, which will then become your WORM BIN. On the second day, Garden Jane will lead a section about vermicomposting (composting your veggie scraps with worms to create nutrient-rich organic fertilizer and soil conditioner). Urban and balcony gardeners working in small spaces often find that they lack attractive storage for their garden and potting supplies or worm composters. The workshop includes worms and the bin to fit into your newly built box. But of course, if people don't want to have the worms, you can use it as an alternative to ikea 'solutions'. Limit of 10 paid spots. Cost Sliding Scale $225-$175 For more information: http://www.timber-doodle.com/workshops.html  To reister: http://www.timber-doodle.com/register.html

1pm

Scarborough: Rouge Valley Conservation Centre Guided Nature Walk

Rouge Valley Conservation Centre, 1749 Meadowvale Road, north of Sheppard Avenue East (map)

Come join the Rouge Valley Conservation Centre's John Foster on an early spring walk through the Rouge Valley. Please arrive between 1:00-1:30pm. The walk will begin at 1:30pm and last approximately 2 hours. Walks take place rain or shine, except during thunderstorms. Please wear season-appropriate clothing and hiking footwear. Cost: The walks are “pay what you can” with a suggested donation of $2 per person. All money collected goes to the upkeep of the Rouge Valley Conservation Centre and its programs. All donations are greatly appreciated. For more information: info +at+ rvcc +dot+ cawww.rvcc.ca