Past Events

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

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