Programs and Upcoming Presentations
All programs are designed to teach participants about nature and are fun, fascinating and engaging. Outdoors, we will encounter wild animals and plants in their natural homes. Some programs can be adapted to take place indoors; they include wildlife artefacts and activities along with some live animals, along with audio-visual presentations. Hover over “programs” on the main menu for a list of school and community programs.
Upcoming Public Events
Guelph Public Library Nature Series for Adults
Spring Wildflower Hike
Monday, May 29 1:00 – 2:00 Adults Meet at the University of Guelph Arboretum (registration required)
We will discover and learn fascinating stories about our woodland wildflowers. Which ones are edible? Which ones are poisonous? Which ones add beauty to spring walks (all of them!).
Past Programs
Maple Syrup
Saturday, March 25 2:00 – 3:00 Adults (registration required)
Join Dan the Nature Man and learn about spring’s favourite treat. We’ll have a taste test, which will also include birch and walnut syrup! Learn which maple trees are good to tap , and discover some tips about making maple syrup and maple sugar at home.
Backyard Winter Birds
Saturday January 14 2:00 – 3:00 (registration required)
Trees in Winter
Discover the beauty of trees in winter, and learn how to identify them with the three B’s (bark, buds, branching) with Dan the Nature Man.
Saturday, February 11 2:00 – 3:00 Adults. Meet at the University of Guelph Arboretum (registration required).
Who Goes There? (Animal Tracking)
Friday January 6 10:30AM – 11:30AM
Milton Public Library main branch, age 7 – 10 (registration required)
Become a nature detective! Join Dan the Nature Man to learn about clues, such as tracks in the snow, chewings, nests and even scats! We’ll solve the mystery of which animals live all around us but are not often seen. Make your winter hikes way more fun! See actual artifacts, do some quizzes and games and take home some fun identification challenges. Let’s get tracking!
Cool Birds
Friday January 6 1:30PM – 2:30PM (registration required)
Milton Public Library, Sherwood Branch, age 7 – 10
Join Dan the Nature Man to learn about our amazing winter birds. With pictures and sounds we’ll learn which bird is which, and hear some great stories about them. We’ll build bird feeders from recycled materials, and find out how to responsibly feed our backyard feathered friends.
FESTIVE TREATS FOR ANIMAL FRIENDS
Saturday, December 10
Guelph Public Library in-person program (registration required)
Join Dan the Nature Man to learn how to make your back yard or nearby park a better place for wild animals. We’ll use containers that would normally be thrown away or recycled to make shelters and bird feeders.
SENSATIONAL SNAKES!
Wednesday, July 20, 2022 2:30 – 3:30
Guelph Public Library in-person program (registration required)
Join Dan the Nature Man to explore the fascinating world of snakes. We’ll focus on our neighbour snakes in Ontario and around Guelph. Meet some live creature teachers!
THE GREAT SPIDER HUNT!
Saturday September 17, 2022 2:30 – 3:30
Guelph Public Library in-person program (registration required)
Join Dan the Nature Man to learn about the amazing world of spiders (and their insect friends) that live all around us! We’ll head into a local meadow to catch many incredible “bugs” with sweep nets, and we’ll play bug bingo as we do this. Meet Charlotte, a special Mexican guest – she’ll give you a “high five!”.
Weird, Strange and Unusual Animals of Ontario
Saturday, February 12 2:30 – 3:30
Guelph Public Library Virtual Program (registration required – https://guelphpl.libnet.info/event/6114090
All of our wildlife is fascinating, but some are way out there! Join Dan the Nature Man to discover who swallows with their eyeballs, who pretends to be a cobra, who does the timberdoodle dance, who poops on their legs to cool off, and much more! As with all of his programs, Dan will give tips on where to see these amazing animals and behaviours. During this program, we’ll vote to decide which animal is Ontario’s weirdest! Please register with the library for this program.
Kids grade JK-6 and parents
Animal Tracking!
Saturday January 22 1:00 – 2:00
Guelph Public Library Virtual Program (registration required – https://guelphpl.libnet.info/events?v=list)
Kids grade JK-6 and parents
Winter is the best time for animal tracking! We'll check out tracks in the snow and other clues to what animals live around us, and learn about these amazing wildlife neighbours! Each participant will receive an animal tracking scavenger hunt to do in their neighbourhood or on hikes. JK to Grade 6 (please register with the library for this program.
Dan the Nature Man 