Nature House Week 8: August 20-23

And just like that, we've reached our final week! What an incredible summer it has been. Thank you to everyone who joined us, supported us, and made the 2026 Nature House season so memorable. We have one last wonderful week of programming to share, and we hope to see as many of you as possible before we wrap up for the season. Keep an eye out for a short survey in the coming weeks - we'd love to hear your thoughts on the summer!

Try your hand at weaving a basket with natural fibres at this week's Wild Creatives!

Thursday, August 20

2-3:30pm TIME Jr: Beach Seine (Youth 8-15)

Location: The Nature House at The Portal - park at Heneage House (the wine-coloured building) or the Fairyslipper parking area.

For our very last TIME Jr. session, we're going out with a splash! Join us for a hands-on beach seine at The Portal - using a large net to encircle fish and other creatures living in shallow coastal waters, the same ecological survey method used by aquatic biologists in the field. Come get a close look at who's been living just off our shores all summer long.

Please note: As the Portal is a working sheep farm, no dogs on the property - thank you for your cooperation!

Friday, August 21

1-3pm SLC Drop-in: SLC Superstars (All ages)

Location: Sea Life Centre, Telegraph Harbour Marina

As we prepare to wrap up the Sea Life Centre for the season, come by for one last look at the fascinating creatures in the tank. Think you've learned a thing or two this summer? Put your knowledge to the test with a species identification challenge!

This is the final weekend the SLC will be open for the season - don't miss your last chance to visit! Open Friday-Sunday whenever the seastar flag is flying.

Note: There is no Tides to Trails this Friday. Instead, we invite you to join Tal Engel on the Lawrence Valley loop trail on Sunday afternoon for a hands-on exploration of forest dynamics, restoration, and succession - following his S4 talk at Forbes Hall at 2pm.

Saturday, August 22 

10am-12pm Wild Creatives: Weaving Workshop with Stephanie Cottell (All ages)

Location: The Nature House at The Portal - park at Heneage House (the wine-coloured building) or the Fairyslipper parking area

Join Stephanie Cottell for a creative and earthy weaving workshop to close out the Wild Creatives season! Weave a whimsical frog or a decorative coaster for your favourite cup, using invasive plant material and common garden plant leaves to create fun, earth-friendly objects (EFOs).

Please note: As the Portal is a working sheep farm, no dogs on the property - thank you for your cooperation!

1-3pm SLC Drop-in: SLC Superstars (All ages)

Location: Sea Life Centre, Telegraph Harbour Marina

Today is the last day the SLC will be open for the season - come say goodbye to our finned and tentacled friends before they are released back into the wild next week!

Sunday, August 23

The People's Apothecary Garden - Still Open!

Though the Nature House summer program has wrapped up for the season, the PAG remains open to the public during daylight hours until the end of October. Come wander, explore, and enjoy the late summer / autumn garden at your own pace - plant card decks organized by category are in the box on the back of the gate.

We hope to see you there, and thank you for a wonderful summer!

1-3pm SLC Drop-in: SLC Superstars (All ages)

Location: Sea Life Centre, Telegraph Harbour Marina

Today is the last day the SLC will be open for the season. Come say goodbye to our finned and tentacled friends before they are released back into the big blue next week!

2-5pm S4: Growing Old Growth with Tal Engel (All ages)

Location: Forbes Hall, followed by a walk on the Lawrence Valley loop

Healthy, resilient forests are at the heart of Tal Engel's work. Join us as he discusses his research into how successional dynamics and industrial management regimes affect the resilience and health of forest ecosystems, and their potential to survive and attain old-growth status.

Following the talk, Tal will lead us out onto the Lawrence Valley loop trail for a hands-on exploration of his restoration initiatives, forest stand dynamics, and the characteristics of a healthy forest. A fitting way to close out the S4 season - head and feet in the forest together.

About Tal: Tal Engel is a regenerative farmer and forest rehabilitation practitioner with a deep passion for forest health. This passion led him to found WolfTree, which develops and implements forest rehabilitation models aimed at addressing the challenges our ecosystems face, from fires, floods, and droughts, to biodiversity collapse and hydrological dysfunction, with a long-term vision of fostering the regeneration of old-growth forests.