Fall 2021
We celebrated the 110th Anniversary of the opening of the Ontario Reformatory on September 25th. Approximately 175 people attended and joined walking tours and other events on the grounds.
Summer 2021
Our team got creative in 2021 and hosted a series of educational, creative and dynamic events.
July Plein Air
Artists from across the region gathered to create in the outdoors. We also heard from local artist Irene Hanuta.
Indigenous Support Gathering
Across Turtle Island, Indigenous Communities are grieving as the scale of harm caused by the residential school sysem come to light. We gathered to stand in solidarity and to honour the legacy of the Ontario Reformatory in that harm.
August Plein Air
We partnered with Guelph’s Artist in Residence to explore the ways the plants at the Yorklands can be used to inspire art.
June 2020
Covid cancellations of our programs and events stimulated other options that could be Covid safe.
Thanks to our Ontario Trillium Fund grant we produced three videos with local expertise so people could visit the Yorklands site virtually. It will inspire viewers to go there with their own household members for outdoor enjoyment at this beautiful heritage landmark park on the grounds of the former Ontario Reformatory. (now Guelph Correctional Centre).
Click the link below to watch one of these videos:
“Biodiversity Exploration” June 28th virtually with the 2 Rivers Festival 2-4pm online.
May 2020
“Yorky’s Little Discoveries Challenge” enticed families to search and photograph nature at the Yorklands as indicated by our Noticing Nature mascot “Yorky.” Each entree in the challenge gave a ticket in the draw at the end of the nine weeks. The $40. gift certificates were for the Bookshelf, Wyndham Arts and the Wild Birds Unlimited for supplies to further their interest in nature connections over the summer. Many thanks to Magna/Polycon Industries in Guelph for support for out programming.
February 2020
Enviro Series on FOOD event “ Bees, Trees and Food: the Essential Role of Pollinators” with guest speaker Victoria MacPhail, president of Pollination Guelph to a packed house. See Green Door #16 for details.
July & August 2019
“NOTICING NATURE”, 8 workshops connecting children and families to environmental appreciation with nature artist Marta Orlowska, BFA
July 2019
“Nature’s Bounty in the City” public event in partnership with 2Rivers Festival
April 2019
AGM with presentations by Paul Neelands, BSc(Hon), MSc on his draft plan for a year-round Aquaponics Solar Greenhouse for the Yorklands research and food production.
March 2019
ENVIRO Series on “OUR FOOD FUTURE” with presentations by Joe Mancini of the Working Centre, Kim Fellows of Seeds of Diversity on “Fedges” and Jennifer Marshman on “Bee Cities”
January 2019
Artist Sharyn Siebert presentation on “Environmental Perspectives of My Paintings” of the Yorklands site (The former Ontario Reformatory).
Guelph Organic Conference booth all day Saturday and Sunday.
November 30th 2018
Our “5th Anniversary Gala” and close of “Aspiration 2018”
November 2nd – 30th 2018
“ARTSPIRATION 2018” at 10C with Gala Celebration
October 2018
Enviro Series on “RENEWABLE ENERGY” with presentations by Steve Dyck, President of Guelph Solar: On solar possibilities for the Superintendant’s house. Dave Roewade, Executive Director for YGH: On biogas, biomass and renewable energy
Sept 2018
Enviro-Series on WATER with Prof Ryan Prosser and Prof Nigel Raine from U of Guelph on Pesticide effects on species.
July & August 2018
“Noticing Nature” art workshops for children with an adult.
April 2018
AGM with speaker, Travis Cranmer presentation on his “Backyard Solar Greenhouse”
Mar 2018
EnviroSeries on HERITAGE with guest speakers Susan Ratcliffe, past president of Architecture Conservancy of Ontario presenting historical details on the success of the Ontario Reformatory and its use as a military hospital during the First World War.
Feb 2018
Enviro-Series on FOOD “How can our food system be healthy and sustainable?” with guest speaker Bob Reeves from Root Rescue and Gavin Dandy from Everdale Farm and Guelph Youth Farmers.
Jan 27/28 2018
Guelph Organic Conference 2018 participant.
Nov 2017
“Artspiration Show and Sale” at the 10 C Shared Space, 42 Carden St.
October 1, 2017
Tree Walk & Talk on the former Guelph Correctional Centre grounds
June 10, 2017
Nature Today & Tomorrow: A Guided Exploration on the former Guelph Correctional Centre grounds
April 26, 2017
AGM, with guest speaker Bob Giza, Ontario Streams
May 30, 2016
‘Living Small’ dinner & movie fundraiser, Bookshelf of Guelph
May 7&8, 2016
Restoration & Rejuvenation Walks on the former Guelph Correctional Centre grounds
April 18, 2016
AGM with guest speaker Gary Warrick, Professor Indigenous Studies & History, Wilfred Laurier U.
October 17, 2015
Design Charette with University of Waterloo Environmental Design students
August 23, 2015
Harvest Brunch at Drumlin Farms