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Transportation to and from OFGAC events: Trees and greenspace aren’t the only things that can help control our greenhouse gas emissions!

Thank you for using public transit or carpooling to our events. Transit trip planners and schedules at www.octranspo.com.

 

OFGAC presents

A series of outdoor learning events

Next outing in the series


Stay tuned for specific dates and details for each walk.
Winter 2010 Details coming soon
Summer 2010 Details coming soon
Fall 2010
Details coming soon

Past outings

Summer 2009
.
The Emerald Ash Borer
Visit an Ottawa woodlot and see for yourself how this invasive alien insect is causing serious devastation to the city’s ash trees. Learn how to detect if your ash trees are hosting this unwanted pest.
May 3rd, 2009
Morris Island parking lot
1:30 - 3:30 P.M.
Morris Island Conservation Area – A Real Gem!
See the improvements with the approved budget allocated dollars in 2007-08. Join us on a walk as we explore this important ecosystem.
Press release
January 25 2009
Hillcrest Tree Farm.
7357 Fourth Line Road, North Gower
12:50 - 2:00 P.M.
A Christmas Tree Farm
Come walk with us through the Hillcrest Tree Farm as our hosts talk about the history, tradition, and lore of the Christmas tree! On a guided tour through the plantation, you’ll also learn how modern tree farming practices help to mitigate environmental impacts.
Brochure
September 14 2008
Meet in the parking lot at Bank & Queensdale intersection at 1:00 P.M
A most unusual Red Maple-Beech-Hemlock forest: The Medeola Woods and Area
Albert Dugal, a top notch botanist is our guest speaker and guide on this nature tour. We will explore the flora and fauna of the area as we walk through woodlands, an NCC trail, and a meadow. Come join us!
Walk summary
Press release
July 20 2008
1 to 3 p.m.
Not Just Another Pretty Landscape: Britannia's Mud Lake
In addition to its beauty and serenity, our ecosystems provide innumerable benefits upon which species depend. Join us on a walk at Mud Lake as we explore some of these important ecosystem services!
Walk summary
Press release

April 26 2008
1 to 3 p.m.
Meet: Ottawa Art Gallery
2 Daly Avenue

The Urban Forest - in partnership with the Ottawa Art Gallery
Artists have produced some of the most powerful records of the Canadian wilderness. Join Ken Farr, author of The Forests of Canada, and explore the beauty and drama of the trees that dot the Canadian urban landscape.
Press release
Sunday, 4 November 2007
12:50 to 2:30 pm
Meet at 2005 Sixth Line Road
This forest is certifiable!
Landowners, conscientious consumers and interested residents will not want to miss this opportunity to tour a privately managed, certified forest!
Brochure
Sunday, 19 August 2007 Revisiting Rockcliffe
Armchair ecologist or field biologist, learn more about the socioecologic interface of community and forest. Iola Price, Chair of OFGAC, is leading this walk through the Caldwell-Carver Conservation Area, on the East side of McKay Lake in Rockcliffe Park. The area was once marshland, but was landfilled in the 1960s and 70s. It is now a recovering woodland, facing common but serious stressors such as invasive species.
Brochure
Photos
Sunday, 17 June 2007 Landscape Planning in Suburban Environments
One of the hottest topics in today's urban plannning. Come and be informed. This guided tour will present one of the hottest topics in today's urban planning: Landscape Planning in Suburban Environments, with guest speaker Bruce McNabb from Monarch Developments. We will be walking along the Stonebridge Trail and within the beautifully planned residential community of Stonebridge. You will experience how the appealing housing mix is integrated among the parks, walking trails, conservation areas, woodlots, and ponds throughout the community, which provides enjoyment to all residents and visitors alike.
More
Sunday, 27 May 2007
1 p.m.

Heart's Desire Forest
Heart's Desire is a low-density island community on the fringe of Ottawa's urban boundary surrounded by the suburban residential community of Barrhaven. Within this well established neighbourhood just east of Prince of Wales Drive, there exists a beautiful natural forest along the banks of the Jock River called Heart's Desire Forest.

Photo shows Brian Finch (yellow poncho), president of Friends of the Jock, and other hardy souls who braved a rain shower to enjoy this walk.

Directions: South on Prince of Wales, right on Woodroffe, left on old Woodroffe Ave (south of Cortleigh Dr). See map
See report on walk
Sunday, 18 March 2007
12:50 to 2:30 p.m.
Maple Syrup!
Watch how sap is collected and maple syrup is produced in Ottawa's very own Vanier Sugar Bush. Special guest speaker Gilles Ladouceur, the Sugar Bush’s Operator, will deliver an exclusive presentation to our group about the sugar bush and how maple syrup is made. This will be followed by a guided tour of the trails through the sugar bush. Plenty of maple syrup to go around! Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. Bring water.
Brochure
More information and photos

Sunday, 21 January 2007
12:50 to 3 p.m.

Active Forest Harvest
Curious? Join us on our winter hike/showshoe in Torbolton Forest (snow, rain, or shine). Jackie Oblak, OFGAC vice-chair and member of the Torbolton Forest Advisory Committee, and David Barkley, Forestry Services Program Manager with the City of Ottawa, will be on hand to discuss the characteristics of plantation forests, as well as Torbolton’s history and the forest management activities planned for this winter.
Brochure

Meet at the parking lot of the Constance and Buckham's Bay Community Centre

Sunday, 19 November 2006 The Crowning Jewel of Ottawa
Learn about the unique natural features of Pine Grove Forest and how forest practices manage current stressors. Tree identification will challenge you along the way!
See brochure
Map and details

Sunday, 17 September 2006
12:50 to 3 p.m.

A Forest in the Fall
If you’ve never had the opportunity to visit the Marlborough Forest, the largest forest within the City's boundary, now's the time! OFGAC is thrilled to have Craig Huff, Forester with the City of Ottawa, and Shaun Thompson, Natural Heritage Ecologist with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, join us on a hike along the Marlborough Forest’s Cedar Grove Trail. Learn about the forest’s ecology, and its innovative community involvement management system.
See Marlborough Forest web site
Information about the forest
Photos

Sunday, 16 July 2006

 

The Distinguished and the Distressed
Trees in the city. They are shelter from the hot sun and a light rain, and a child’s favourite climb. They beautify the landscape and mark some of the best picnic spots around. Today, our trees are also increasingly subject to such urban stressors as road salt, vehicle exhaust, and soil compaction.

Photos
Info brochure

Sunday, 21 May 2006

 

The McCarthy Woods and Poets' Pathway Walk
Join us for a walk through remarkable stands of 120-year-old maples in the McCarthy Woods. Our guest speakers include River Ward Councillor Maria McRae, who will highlight the recent history of the area, and Erwin Dreessen, who will talk about the Poet’s Pathway initiative. Seaton Findlay, an expert in Ottawa’s urban woodlands, will also be on hand to provide special insights on the woodland features of the area.
Photos
Info brochure

 


Contact the Ottawa Forests and Greenspace Advisory Committee
Contact City of Ottawa Forestry Services