Secondary School Program Offerings (Fall)
 

The High Park Nature Centre offers a wide range of high quality curriculum-based outdoor environmental education and stewardship education programs to classroom teachers and their students.

Click on each section to learn more
Location
Times
Fees
Booking Instructions
Cancellation Policy
Links to Ontario Curriculum
Program Descriptions
     Savannah Stewardship
        Buckthorn Busters
        Orienteering 

Location
Programs take place at the High Park Nature Centre, located on the eastern perimeter of the park at Parkside Drive and Indian Valley Crescent for most programs.
 

Times
All school programs are two hours in length and are available both mornings and afternoons.  Morning sessions run from 9:30 – 11:30am and afternoon programs run from 12:30 – 2:30pm – we can be somewhat flexible with start and end times to accommodate bus schedules.

Fees
$6.50 per student attending for all half-day programs.
A minimum fee of $80.00 applies to all groups for half-day programs.
Please bring cash or a cheque made payable to “High Park Nature Centre” on the day of your visit.
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Booking Instructions
Educational programs can be booked at any time by calling the High Park Nature Centre at (416) 392-1748 ext. 6 or by e-mailing at naturecentre@highpark.org.
Please leave a detailed message including your name, school, contact phone number, grade, class size, proposed dates and choice of program. We will confirm our availability by phone and then also by writing. Please note the dates of your availability for each program, both by season and by date.
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Cancellation Policy
Please be advised that seven days notice is necessary for cancellations and two days notice to reschedule. An invoice for 50% of the originally booked group fee will be issued for any late cancellation or rescheduling.
Programs will proceed rain or shine. Please remind all participants to dress appropriately for the weather as we will be outdoors for most of the activities. Programs may need to be rescheduled in the case of severe inclement weather such as heavy rain, thunderstorms, snowstorms or high winds over 35 km per hour. We also advise wearing long pants, socks and long sleeved tops to protect against poison ivy. If you have any questions please call our office at 416-392-1748 ext. 6.
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Links to the Ontario Curriculum
All of our education programs were developed to meet objectives in the Ontario Curriculum.  Please see descriptions for specific links.
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PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS
 

Savannah Stewardship (September 14 – October 9, 2009)
Curriculum Links
Grade 9 – Geography of Canada: Human-Environment Interactions
Grade 10 – Biology: The Sustainability of Ecosystems, Ecosystems and Human Activity

Discover the remnant tracts of black oak savannah that have been sheltered from urbanization within the High Park’s boundaries for 135 years. Participants will learn about past park management practices that nearly destroyed the savannah and the many pressures threatening the long-term health of the ecosystem.  The need for on-going, community-based environmental stewardship of the park’s natural areas will be emphasized and students will contribute to restoration efforts by planting native wildflowers and grasses to restore this unique habitat.

Buckthorn Busters (September 14 – November 27, 2009)
Curriculum Links
Grade 9 – Geography of Canada: Human-Environment Interactions
Grade 10 – Biology: The Sustainability of Ecosystems, Ecosystems and Human Activity

Learn to identify several invasive species that outcompete native vegetation and affecting the ecological balance in High Park’s endangered black oak savannah.  Participants will meet common and glossy buckthorn, the wickedest weeds in the woods, and learn why “busting” buckthorn shrubs in favor of native plants and animals is critical to the future of the savannah.  The development and deliver of the “Buckthorn Busters” is sponsored by the Invasive Alien Species Partnership Program.
* Buckthorn will be cut and stacked for later disposal by students. Tools, work gloves and safety glasses will be provided but we ask that students please wear protective clothing (sturdy shoes, long pants and long sleeves).

 

Orienteering (Fall, Winter and Spring)
Curriculum Links
Grades 9 – 12 Health and Physical Education (Grades 9-12)
Grade 9 Geography of Canada - Geographic Foundations: Space and Systems, Methods of Geographic Inquiry
Geographics: The Geographer’s Toolkit (Grade 11) - Geographic Foundations: Space and Systems, Methods of Geographic Inquiry
Grade 12 Geomatics: Geotechnologies in Action (Grade 12) - Geographic Foundations: Space and Systems, Methods of Geographic Inquiry

Exercise minds and bodies while discovering the wonders of urban nature in Toronto’s crowning jewel, High Park. Using a topographic map, a compass and a bag of simple tools, students will follow an orienteering course through woodland, wetland and oak savannah habitats.  Participants will gain valuable teamwork skills while completing group challenges that highlight the park’s diverse natural systems.
* Students will be outside for most of this program and will require sturdy shoes and attire that is appropriate for the weather.
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