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Thursday, April 22, 2021 at 06:00 PM
Online via ZoomWebinar: Unsettling the Garden
Thursday, April 22 at 6pm, with writer Lorraine Johnson
Unsettling the Garden: A Non-Indigenous Gardener's Reflections on Landscape, Reconciliation and Relationship-Building
In this illustrated talk, writer Lorraine Johnson explores the garden in the context of reconciliation and land sovereignty, looking at the ways gardening traditions are tied to settler-colonialism, and the role of restorative land care in restitution and relationship-building.
Please RSVP below!
This event is hosted as part of the Signal Boost Initiative in partnership with ReForest London and the Westminster Ponds Centre, with support from Ontario Trillium Foundation.
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Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 07:00 PM
Online via Zoom. Please RSVP below to receive the Zoom link via email.Volunteer Orientation & Stewardship Training
Welcome to TTLT's Volunteer Orientation & Stewardship Training! We're pleased to offer this virtual training as part of our Stewardship Volunteer Program. The event will consist of two parts. You're welcome to attend only part 1, or both parts, depending on your interests.
Part 1 - 7pm to 7:45pm - Introduction to Thames Talbot Land Trust, who we are, what we do, why we do it, and how you can help.
Part 2 - 7:45pm to 8:30pm - Focus on our stewardship work and all the info you need to get started as a Stewardship Volunteer.
Who should attend?
- Anyone interested in learning about volunteering as a Stewardship Volunteer
- Current volunteers who want to learn more about TTLT or who would like a refresher
- Members, supporters, or other interested people who want to learn more about TTLT
Following the training, check out our events page for a range of volunteer opportunities to get you started this spring!
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Monday, May 03, 2021 at 07:00 PM
Zoom WebinarBirding for Beginners 2021
Have you been watching and listening to the birds around you and wondered what species they are? There's an amazing diversity of birds that come through Southwestern Ontario to breed or continue on their migration to northern climates. This webinar is a beginners guide to the birds in the Southwestern area and how to identify them. There will be opportunities for questions and comments. This is our first event in the Passport to Nature event series for 2021. The Passport to Nature program is a series of free events intended to engage our community in outdoor activities.
Spots are limited so make sure to RSVP below. This webinar will be recorded, the recording will be sent to all those who RSVP and are also on our email list.Photos by Mhairi McFarlane and Ric Symmes.
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Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 10:00 AM
Wardsville Woods in Wardsville, ON, CanadaVolunteer Event: Spring Gardening at the Wardsville Woods Community Wildflower Garden
Do you love gardening? Then consider helping out at the Wardsville Woods Community Wildflower Garden!
The Wardsville Woods Community Wildflower Garden is planted with all native perennial plants that are beautiful and hardy choices for landscaping. The garden is designed to flow seamlessly into the surrounding meadow and contains several plants that can also be found growing in the meadow. It also provides a source of seeds for interested community members who want to grow native plants for their own gardens.
Why native plants?
Native plants provide food and habitat for birds, insects, and other creatures while requiring less care in terms of watering, pesticides, and fertilizers, than exotic landscaping plants. Its a win-win for nature and gardeners alike.
How can you help?
We are looking for volunteers on May 12th, 10am - 1pm, who can help with some garden maintenance. We have a large pile of mulch in the parking area and we need to move some of it into the garden. This will involve shoveling the mulch into a truck, which will transport it up the hill, then unloading and spreading the mulch into the garden. As well, we could use some help weeding the flower beds.
Things to note:
- Due to COVID-19, we will be practicing physical distancing at this event, meaning you should stay at least 2m away from anyway who isn't in your household. Although this is an outdoor event, everyone is encouraged to wear a mask.
- There are no washroom facilities at Wardsville Woods, so please plan accordingly.
- We may encounter ticks in the meadow and garden. More info on ticks and lyme disease is available here.
What to bring:
- This is an outdoor event so please bring whatever you need to be comfortable, such as a raincoat, hat, sunscreen, bug spray, and good shoes. As well, be sure to bring your lunch/snacks, and water.
- To reduce the sharing of equipment, we encourage you to bring your own equipment if you can, such as a shovel, weeding tools, knee pads, and work gloves. However, we will have extras available for anyone who needs them.
Please note: this event is subject to change or cancellation depending on COVID-19 restrictions. As well, this event is weather dependent. In the case of any changes or cancellation, we will send out an email to everyone who is registered the day before the event.
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Saturday, May 15, 2021 at 10:00 AM
Five Points Forest - Driedger Tract in Ingersoll, ON, CanadaVolunteer Event: Garlic Mustard Pull at Five Points Forest
Garlic Mustard is a non-native, invasive plant. Originally introduced from Europe, it has spread across large parts of North America, to the detriment of natural areas and their biodiversity. Garlic Mustard is very aggressive, quickly crowding out native plants and even emitting a chemical into the soil that prevents many native plants from growing. We need your help to remove it!Join us at Five Points Forest on May 15th to help clear the Garlic Mustard from the forest and allow native plants some room to grow. Five Points Forest has 2.5 km of hiking trails and is a great place to see forest birds and spring flowers! Enjoy a lovely spring hike while you're here.
Please RSVP at the bottom of this page. There are two time slots to pick from so that we can work safely in smaller groups.
Things to note:
- Due to COVID-19, we will be practicing physical distancing at this event, meaning you should stay at least 2m away from anyway who isn't in your household. Although this is an outdoor event, everyone is encouraged to wear a mask.
- There are no washroom facilities at Five Points Forest, so please plan accordingly.
- This event involves hand pulling plants, which requires stooping or kneeling.
What to bring:
- TTLT will provide work gloves and garbage bags, but feel free to bring your own if you prefer.
- This is an outdoor event so please bring whatever you need to be comfortable, such as sunscreen, bug spray, rain gear, and good shoes. As well, bring along snacks and plenty of water.
Please note: this event is subject to change or cancellation depending on COVID-19 restrictions. As well, this event is weather dependent. In the case of any changes or cancellation, we will send out an email to everyone who is registered the day before the event.
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Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at 10:00 AM
Auzins Community Wildflower Garden, Hawk Cliff Woods in Union, ON, CanadaVolunteer Event: Spring Gardening at the Auzins Community Wildflower Garden
Do you love gardening? Then consider helping us out at the Auzins Community Wildflower Garden.
The Auzins Community Wildflower Garden at Hawk Cliff Woods is planted with all native perennial plants that are beautiful and hardy choices for landscaping. The garden serves as a demonstration site for native plant gardening as well as a source of seeds for interested community members who want to grow native plants for their own gardens.
Why native plants?
Native plants provide food and habitat for birds, insects, and other creatures while requiring less care in terms of watering, pesticides, and fertilizers, than exotic landscaping plants. Its a win-win for nature and gardeners alike.
How can you help?We are looking for help with garden maintenance, in particular weeding and mulching. Feel free to drop in anytime between 10am and 1pm.
Things to note:
- Due to COVID-19, we will be practicing physical distancing at this event, meaning you should stay at least 2m away from anyway who isn't in your household. Although this is an outdoor event, everyone is encouraged to wear a mask.
- There are no washroom facilities at Hawk Cliff Woods, so please plan accordingly.
- We may encounter ticks in the garden. More info on ticks is available here.
What to bring
- This is an outdoor event so please bring whatever you need to be comfortable, such as sunscreen, bug spray, and good shoes. As well, be sure to bring your lunch/snacks, and water.
- We can provide gardening gloves, knee pads, and tools if needed, but during this time we are requesting you bring your own if you can, in order to reduce sharing of equipment.
- Hawk Cliff is a great place to see flowers, birds, and wildlife, so bring your binoculars, camera, and field guides.
Please note: this event is subject to change or cancellation depending on COVID-19 restrictions. As well, this event is weather dependent. In the case of any changes or cancellation, we will send out an email to everyone who is registered the day before the event.
Butterfly photos (top) by Rebecca Launchbury. Butterflyweed photo (left) by Anita Caveney.
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Saturday, May 29, 2021 at 09:00 AM
Westminster Ponds Centre in London, ON, CanadaNative Plant Sale Fundraiser
Native Plant Sale Fundraiser
Find beautiful, low maintenance plants for your garden while supporting your local non-profit organizations.
Order now until May 15th. Pick up your plants at the Westminster Ponds Centre on May 29th.
Why native plants?
There are many benefits to gardening with native plants. Native plants naturally occur in our local areas and provide food and habitat to local pollinators, insects, birds, and other wildlife. They are also well suited to our climate and soils, so they require less care in terms of watering, fertilizing, and pest control compared to exotic garden plants. And they make for beautiful, climate friendly, waterwise gardens!
Ordering your plants
A range of native plants are available including sun-loving plants, shade plants, shrubs and vines. All plants will be sold as plugs and are $5 each. Click below for the online order form to see what's available and place your order.
The order form will be open until May 15th or until the plants sell out, whichever comes first. Payment is due upon ordering.
Picking up your plants
Orders will be available for pickup on May 29, 2021 at the Westminster Ponds Centre only at your scheduled pickup time. You will choose a 15 minute pick-up window when you place your order - please be sure to arrive at Westminster Ponds during your pick-up window.
Pickup address:
944 Western Counties Road, London, ON, N6C 4R3 (click for Google Maps)
All proceeds support environmental projects by these local non-profit organizations:
Climate Action London, Thames Talbot Land Trust, Nature London, Pollinator Pathways, and ReForest London
This sale is hosted by the Westminster Ponds Centre
Funding for the Native Plant Sale was provided by Embracing the Spirit of the United Church of Canada.
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Sunday, May 30, 2021 at 10:00 AM
Meadowlily Nature Preserve in London, ON, CanadaVolunteer Event: Garlic Mustard Pull at Meadowlily Nature Preserve
Garlic Mustard is a non-native, invasive plant. Originally introduced from Europe, it has spread across large parts of North America, to the detriment of natural areas and their biodiversity. Garlic Mustard is very aggressive, quickly crowding out native plants and even emitting a chemical into the soil that prevents many native plants from growing. We need your help to remove it!Join us at Meadowlily Nature Preserve on May 30th to help clear the Garlic Mustard from the forest and allow native plants some room to grow. Meadowlily Nature Preserve is across the road from Meadowlily Woods - enjoy a lovely spring hike while you're here.
Please RSVP at the bottom of this page. There are two time slots to pick from so that we can work safely in smaller groups.
Things to note:
- Due to COVID-19, we will be practicing physical distancing at this event, meaning you should stay at least 2m away from anyway who isn't in your household. Although this is an outdoor event, everyone is encouraged to wear a mask.
- There are no washroom facilities at Meadowlily, so please plan accordingly.
- This event involves hand pulling plants, which requires stooping or kneeling.
- We will be walking through meadow habitat during this event, and may encounter ticks. Be sure to check for ticks before leaving the site and once you get home. More info on ticks is available here.
What to bring:
- TTLT will provide work gloves and garbage bags, but feel free to bring your own if you prefer.
- This is an outdoor event so please bring whatever you need to be comfortable, such as sunscreen, bug spray, rain gear, and good shoes. As well, bring along snacks and plenty of water.
Please note: this event is subject to change or cancellation depending on COVID-19 restrictions. As well, this event is weather dependent. In the case of any changes or cancellation, we will send out an email to everyone who is registered the day before the event.