Since its inception Yorklands Green Hub has delivered creative and engaging land-based programming to a range of demographics within Guelph. We have over 10 years of experience delivering programming to community partners, elementary and secondary classrooms, and engaged Guelph residents. From guided walks, to classroom workshops, to lectures, presentations and other events, Yorklands has remained steadfast in its mission to provide sustainable land stewardship education to our community.

We’re building a culture of lifelong land stewardship and we can’t wait for you to join us! Interested? Learn more about our program offerings below and find out more about how you can get involved!

Ten Tall Trees

Ten Tall Trees is a program which educates Grade 6 and 7 students on the importance of native trees, empowering them with knowledge to engage more fully in their neighbourhoods and communities. The program covers topics such as tree identification, life cycles, obstacles facing native tree populations and how they can be overcome. The students are given a tree identification “field guide” which is essentially a workbook they get to keep. 

The structure of the program is simple: 

• Yorklands Green Hub staff and volunteers spend an afternoon in the classroom with the students, introducing them to key concepts, completing activities and teaching them how to identify a few trees. Ideally we would spend at least half the afternoon outside identifying local trees in the neighbourhood. 
• Students finish the introductory lesson with their own field guide which they can continue to work on at home at their own pace or as assigned by their teacher. 
• It’s up to the teacher whether they’d like us to come back and run some more activities. We’d discuss with the teacher ahead of time what areas of the topic to focus on and design some games or lessons to support their needs.

Foodsters

Foodsters was developed in 2018-19 and has been delivered to one or two schools almost every year since (excluding the pandemic years). Foodsters is a program focused on growing food in an urban environment and the importance of soil, its composition and ways to maintain healthy soil. Students are brought outside using pocket microscopes to examine the soil and in some cases will be able to plant their own vegetables if conditions allow for it (ie. a nearby garden within walking distance).

Pollinator Power

Pollinator Power was developed in 2025 thanks to a grant from Pollination Guelph.

It was developed to complement our Ten Tall Trees and Foodsters program. Geared to grade 5-6 it provides students opportunities to learn about flowers and food producing plants that depend on pollinators to grow and thrive and keep our food supply secure. Students participate in outdoor experiences observing pollinators and the plants they depend on guided by a facilitator and a workbook which we provide.

Teachers can use these workbooks for their own use in the classroom or invite Yorklands Green Hub volunteer facilitators to deliver the program. Our facilitators have expertise in the area they are teaching and have vulnerable sector checks completed.

These programs can be delivered in one time block or it can be broken up into once per week sessions lasting for approximately 1 – 1.5 hours each session over a 2-3 weeks depending on our volunteer capacity.

Noticing Nature

Are you passionate about connecting children and youth with nature through art and exploration? Yorklands Green Hub is looking for creative and experienced facilitators to lead Noticing Nature, a 2-hour outdoor program that encourages young participants to engage with the natural world through guided discovery and artistic expression. Sessions take place at the beautiful and historic Yorklands site in Guelph. We welcome applications from individuals with backgrounds in environmental education, community arts, or outdoor experiential learning. If you’re ready to inspire the next generation of nature stewards, apply now to join our facilitation team!

Enviro-Series

Are you passionate about the environment, heritage preservation, or Indigenous knowledge systems? Yorklands Green Hub is inviting speakers to apply for our Enviro Series, a public education program that highlights innovative ideas and voices that align with our mission of building a just and sustainable future. We’re looking for individuals or organizations to share talks, workshops, or interactive sessions that engage and inspire our community. Sessions may focus on topics such as climate resilience, ecological restoration, cultural landscapes, or land-based learning. If you have a story, perspective, or project to share, we encourage you to apply and be part of this meaningful series.