We are pleased to host the 2024 Kawartha Woodland Expo in partnership with the Ontario Woodlot Association. Our faculty, staff and alumni within Fleming's School of Environmental and Natural Resources Sciences have developed a series of fun, hands-on, educational workshops that will provide you with a variety of resources and skills related to woodlot ownership, forest stands, and trees and forestry in general.
You are invited to register for two workshops - one session will be hosted in the morning and another in the afternoon. Please see below for the full workshop descriptions.
Log Scaling and Sawmill Basics*
Do you want to combat climate change? Come to the Log Scaling and Sawmill workshop to learn how to turn timber into lumber. Run the College’s sawmill and take home your own sawn lumber. (Workshop capacity: 20)
Chainsaw Basics - Sharpen Your Skills*
Learn about basic chainsaw maintenance and see safe handling demonstrations. Cut yourself a cookie to take home as a souvenir. (Workshop capacity: 20)
Weather Sticks: Trees Can Forecast Weather!
All about the science of wood and how trees can be used to tell us the weather forecast. Create your own weather stick that you can use to tell when it is going to rain or snow. (Workshop capacity: 20)
Forestry Adventure Showcase
Explore and practice tree identification and learn to identify common forest pests and diseases and common woodland mammals. Learn to tie practical knots and take a spin on a state-of-the-art equipment simulator, including a dozer, backhoe and others. (Workshop capacity: 20)
Kirtland’s Warbler Habitat Recipe
What the heck is a Kirtland’s Warbler and why is it so rare? Learn to identify a Kirtland’s Warbler and how its population was brought from near extinction to being removed from the US endangered species list through forest management. Explore efforts to expand its population in Ontario where it is still an endangered species.
Get to Know Your Trees: Guided Arboretum Walk
Take a walk on the wild side through the Fleming College Arboretum. Identify trees beyond the leaf in their transition from winter to spring. View native and non-native species and increase your forest identification knowledge through bark, twig, and bud identification. (Workshop capacity: 20)
Tools of the Trade: Introduction to Tree Marking
From cruising vest to paint can, and prism to compass, over many decades these humble yet specialized instruments have helped tree markers achieve the objectives of sustainable forestry practices. Learn what a tree marker is and see the basics of ‘the how and the why’ of tree marking. (Workshop capacity: 10)
Natural Dye Workshop: Hunter Corbiere
Hunter Corbiere owner of Noopimiing Creations will demonstrate the process of using plants to dye sustainable materials. Participants will learn tufting, an artform for centuries across Turtle Island, using sustainable, ethical fur from caribou, reindeer, moose, porcupine, deer, and polar bear. Tufting is the skill and art of taking small bunches of the animal hair and sculpting it into a desired design. (Workshop capacity: 20)
Make A Map: Discover your woodland wonderland
Use the Government of Ontario’s NHIC Make-a-Map program to create a map. Look up rare and at-risk species and habitats reported for a given area and learn how to draw lines and polygons as well as other available map layers such as wetlands, woodlands and Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest. (Workshop capacity: 20)
So you think you want to be a tree doctor?
What is bugging your trees? Explore common samples of pests, pathogens and defects that might hinder the health of a tree and see some of these examples on a field walk through our campus. (Workshop capacity: 20)
Lumber Grading and Identification
Not all lumber is created equally! This session is an introduction to the basics of lumber identification, hardwood lumber grading, end products, and fun and interesting lumber talk to help you make the most of the lumber from your logs. (Workshop capacity: 20)
Forest Bathing
This isn't your typical walk in the woods. Embark on a transformative 90-minute journey with certified Forest Therapy Guide, Kristie Virgoe, as she leads you through a mindful exploration in nature. Fully immerse yourself in the present moment, free from distractions. Connect with nature through sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch, and experience nature and yourself in a whole new way. (Workshop capacity: 15)
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Please note: there are limited spots available in the workshops. Sign-up is on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants are asked to wear closed toe shoes to the event.
This event will take place rain or shine so participants are advised to dress accordingly.
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