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Watch Our Past Webinars and Videos
Join our community of experts and learners through our webinars and videos available on demand! Whether you are looking for gardening, birding, hiking, or species identification tips, we’re sure there’s lots for you to learn about here. 

Bats of Ontario

with Dr. Burton Lim
October 8th,  2024

Across the province, bats are experiencing dramatic population declines. Discover the eight bat species native to Ontario. Learn about the threats facing bats and what conservationists are doing to help protect these amazing flying mammals. 🦇🦇🦇

Falling for Autumn Birding

with Maxwell Matchim
September 18th,  2024

How does a Ruby-throated Hummingbird migrate over the Gulf of Mexico? How am I supposed to tell apart confusing fall warblers? Discover the answers to these questions and many more with this fascinating look into the world of fall birding. Discover which species are passing through the Oak Ridges Moraine from their breeding grounds in the north. Learn how to identify hawks by their silhouettes. See which shorebirds might show up in a local farmer's field. This presentation has something for everyone! 

Pride Month: Queer Ecology

with Maxwell Matchim
June 18th,  2024

Join naturalist Maxwell Matchim (they/them) this Pride Month for a webinar on the fascinating world of Queer Ecology. This new discipline challenges existing assumptions about gender and sexuality in biology. Learn about a few of the over 1500 species that participate in same-sex mating. Discover how the green frog can change its sex. Be prepared to have your view of nature changed forever! 

Birds of the York Regional Forest

with Aileen Barclay 
April 23rd,  2024

The York Regional Forest is an invaluable habitat for birds. It's host to an impressive list of breeding bird species, including the Black-billed Cuckoo, Eastern Towhee, and Wood Thrush. Join us for a webinar highlighting the extraordinary species that call this place home.

The Things of Spring 

with Matt Ireland
April 16th,  2024

Are you interested in exploring nature on the Oak Ridges Moraine? Join us for a webinar highlighting some of the region's most fascinating spring phenomena. Learn about ephemeral wildflowers and amphibian courtship. Get tips on where you can find these natural wonders in the York Regional Forest.

Great Grasslands

with Chelsea Marcantonio
March 13th,  2024

Join us for a presentation on one of the most threatened habitats in the Oak Ridges Moraine: grasslands. These imperiled ecosystems support a fascinating variety of life from the Eastern Hog-nosed Snake to the Short-eared Owl. Discover the fascinating prairie plants that call Ontario home. Learn what's being done to preserve the province's remaining grasslands.

Native Plant ID Series: Using iNaturalist

with Lauren Stasyna
March 5th,  2024

iNaturalist is an amazing resource. This smartphone app can identify the plants, animals, and other living things around us. This webinar will demonstrate how to use this app and how it can help confirm plant IDs for seed collectors. 📱🌱

Native Plant ID Series: Grasses

with Sammy Tangir
Feb 27,  2024

Learn to identify several of the region’s native grasses as we celebrate their ecological significance. 🌾 The Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust is delighted to be joined by talented naturalist Sammy Tangir for this webinar.

Native Plant ID Series: Wildflowers

with Sean James
Feb 20,  2024

Learn to identify ten of the region’s native wildflower species, from Wild Bergamot to Common Milkweed.🌼🌸 This webinar is presented by acclaimed sustainable landscaper Sean James, who will share his knowledge of native plant species with participants.

Native Plant ID Series: Trees and Shrubs

with Sean James
Feb 13,  2024

From Black Oak to Canada Plum, learn to identify a variety of native tree and shrub species! 🌳🌲 This webinar is presented by acclaimed sustainable landscaper Sean James, who will share his knowledge of native trees and shrubs with participants.

Winter Plant ID

with Sammy Tangir
Feb 6,  2024

The Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust is excited to be joined by gifted naturalist Sammy Tangir for a lunch-and-learn webinar on identifying plants in the wintertime! When most species have lost their flowers and leaves, identification can be a serious challenge. Sammy will help you learn to recognize several familiar local species. ❄️🌱

The Wonderful World of Winter Birds

with Maxwell Matchim
Dec 5,  2023

From finches to owls, discover the fascinating birdlife found throughout our region in the wintertime! Host Maxwell Matchim will share their tips for finding these charismatic species in the York Region. Learn about ethical wildlife viewing and photography and a few of the things you can do to help support our birds!

Meet the Kirtland’s Warbler: The Bird of Fire

with Aileen Barclay
March 21, 2023

The Kirtland’s Warbler is a globally rare bird, endangered in Ontario and Canada, that breeds only in young pine-oak communities. Although always rare, the Kirtland’s Warbler was reduced to less than 500 individuals in the 1970-80s due to a loss of suitable habitat. Despite successful repopulation programs in the US, the Kirtland’s Warbler remains in jeopardy in Ontario. Join us with staff biologist Aileen Barclay to learn about the ecology of this beautiful species and what is being done to help its recovery in Ontario.

Thank you to our wonderful sponsors, the Ontario Trillium Foundation and MapleCross Foundation, for making this presentation possible!

Bird Names in Anishinaabemowin

with Creators Garden
March 15, 2023

Join Joseph Pitawanakwat, Andres Jimenez and Junaid Khan in a discussion about the depth of ecological knowledge housed in Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe language) names. Whereas western scientific naming focuses on the most obvious of physical characteristics, geographic range, or paying homage to Europeans, Anishinaabemowin allows us to learn about the roles these incredible flying beings play within our world. In turn, we can learn how best to help and support their populations for generations to come.

Thank you to our wonderful sponsor, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, for making this presentation possible!

A Closer Look at Bryophytes

with Cassandra Robillard
March 7, 2023

Passionate about bryophytes, botanist Cassandra Robillard has conducted research on lichen and moss communities in vernal pools, created scientific illustrations for bryophyte manuals, and aided in moss and liverwort field surveys in Ontario, Quebec, and the Northwest Territories. Join us, and Cassandra, as we dive into the intricate micro-world of bryophytes!

Thank you to our wonderful sponsor, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, for making this presentation possible!

Advanced Wildlife Tracking

with Kim Cabrera
February 7, 2023

Kim “Beartracker” Cabrera joins us once again on the Moraine as a follow-up to her previous wildlife tracking webinar. A certified CyberTracker Track and Sign Specialist, Kim also created the first website dedicated to tracking in 1997. Join us as Kim shares advanced tips and tricks for identifying wildlife signs!

Thank you to our wonderful sponsor, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, for making this presentation possible!

Nature Exposure & Human Health

with Beth Foster
January 17, 2023

Beth Foster is an ANFT Nature & Forest Therapy Guide and Trail Certification Consultant passionate about helping people connect with nature as a tool for peace and prosperity. Join us, and Beth, to learn about the immense healing benefits of spending time outdoors!

Thank you to our wonderful sponsors, the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Patrick Barbara Keenan Foundation, for making this presentation possible!

The Wonderful World of Wetlands

with Ontario Streams
January 12, 2023

Discover the fantastic world of Ontario’s wetlands with our friends at Ontario Streams. Learn all about the legislation, restoration, management, and conservation of these important ecosystems right in our backyards! 

Thank you to our wonderful sponsors, the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Patrick Barbara Keenan Foundation, for making this presentation possible!

Nothing but Native

with Doug Tallamy
December 13, 2022

Doug Tallamy is a best-selling author, entomologist, ecologist, conservationist, and professor at the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware. Join us, and Doug, as we learn about how native plants can transform your yard into a thriving ecosystem!

Thank you to our wonderful sponsors, the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Patrick Barbara Keenan Foundation, for making this presentation possible!

Brilliant Butterflies

with Gary Yankech
April 14, 2022

ORMLT proudly hosted Gary Yankech, a fun, passionate, and knowledgeable teacher of nature interpretation and conservation. Join Gary in learning all about the brilliant butterflies of the Oak Ridges Moraine!

Thank you to our wonderful sponsors, the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Patrick Barbara Keenan Foundation, for making this presentation possible!

Pollinator Garden at Starcliff Nature Reserve

 

We have created a new pollinator garden at our Starcliff Nature Reserve. Using native plants, we have gotten rid of our grass and added much needed biodiversity.  Watch the video to learn how we did it, and how you can create your own garden at home! 

Thank you to our sponsors – the Regional Municipality of York, the Catherine and Maxwell Meighan Foundation, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Patrick and Barbara Keenan Foundation and all the volunteers that helped plant this garden.  The bees are loving it!!

Prescribed Burn for Grassland Habitat

 
 

This restoration project took place on the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust’s MapleCross Nature Reserve. This 80-acre property is located in Schomberg between the Pottageville Wetland Complex and Happy Valley. The project goal is to provide breeding habitat for Bobolink (Threatened), Eastern Meadowlark (Threatened), Grasshopper Sparrow (Special Concern), Monarch (Endangered-COSEWIC) and Mottled Duskywing (Endangered-COSEWIC) by restoring 2.4 hectares of horse pasture to a grassland habitat.


Thank you to the Regional Municipality of York, the Catherine and Maxwell Meighan Foundation, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Patrick and Barbara Keenan Foundation the TIDES Foundation and all the volunteers that helped with this project.   

Fish of the Moraine

with Ontario Streams
February 7, 2022

Learn about the fish of the Oak Ridges Moraine, and how to identify them with our friends at Ontario Streams in this webinar recording.

Thank you to our wonderful sponsors, the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Patrick Barbara Keenan Foundation, for making this presentation possible!

Animal Tracks 

with Kim Cabrera
Jan 10, 2022

Tracking expert Kim Cabrera a.k.a. “Beartracker” teaches us how to identify animal tracks of mammals on the Oak Ridges Moraine. Learning to identify tracks will help us understand which species we share our yards and local greenspace with!

Thank you to our wonderful sponsors including the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Patrick Barbara Keenan Foundation.

Tree Talk

with Aileen Barclay
October 19, 2021

Trees may stand still but they how many times have you walked by without knowing what they were?

 

Aileen Barclay will teach you all about trees of the Oak Ridges Moraine, focusing on tree identification to make sure you’re connecting with nature even in the winter months. She will also speak to habitat conservation and how best to support your trees and wildlife.

Thank you to our wonderful sponsors, the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Patrick Barbara Keenan Foundation, for making this presentation possible!

Let Them Bee: Native Bee ID and How to Support Them

with Dr. Sheila Colla
September 23, 2021

It’s a good thing we have Sheila Colla to teach us about native bees! Sheila has a PhD in Biology and an impressive resume demonstrating both professional and academic experience related to pollinator conservation. Most recently she acted as Scientific Advisor for the At-Risk Pollinator Program at Preservation Wildlife Canada, and is now an Assistant Professor at York University.

Thank you to our generous sponsors, the Patrick and Barbara Keenan Foundation and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Darkside: Illuminating the Moths of the Oak Ridges Moraine

with Basil Conlin
May 20, 2021

Basil Conlin, a local naturalist and moth watcher, will take us on a journey through the seasons to understand our huge diversity of moths. Topics include how to find moths, where to find moths, and what species of native plants you can include in your gardens to attract and support moths and their caterpillars. Come to the Darkside and see what you’ve been missing. 

Mammals of the Moraine

with Michael Runtz
May 6, 2021

We are pleased to welcome back Michael Runtz , naturalist extraordinaire in this webinar about local mammals on the Oak Ridges Moraine. You’ll be surprised at how much you don’t know about some of our most charismatic friends!

Dragonflies and Damselflies

with Michael Runtz
April 22, 2021

OMRLT welcomes Michael Runtz all the way from Carleton University to teach us all about dragonflies and damselflies. How many species are there? What do they do and how are they important? If you didn’t think there was much to learn about these unique looking insects, Michael will convince you otherwise!

Winged Wonders: Life History and Conservation of Ontario’s Bats

with Chris Ketola
April 15, 2021

Let’s get batty!

We’re excited to have Chris Ketola, Head Field Research Coordinator at Fauna Forever, in this webinar about Ontario’s bats, why they are important and how we can help to protect them on the Oak Ridges Moraine.

Snakes, Salamanders & Other Slithery Things

with Josh Feltham
March 23, 2021

Did you know that some salamanders have tongues up to TEN times as long as their body!? Our knowledgeable speaker, Josh Feltham, will be indulging us with neat facts about the various snakes, salamanders and other slithery creatures that make Ontario home. You will also learn how to identify the different species, why they need protection, and how you can help!

Owls of Southern Ontario

with Annick Gionet Rollick
February 25, 2021

Join us with Annick Gionet Rollick, Senior Wildlife Rehabilitator and Zoologist at The Owl Foundation to learn about our local owls, what makes them unique, and what they sound like (hint: not every one whoos)! Annick will also be answering your questions on owls and what we can do to help.

Safe Hiking

with David Francis
February 9, 2021

Join seasoned hiker, David Francis, for an online session where you will learn techniques to prevent slips and falls on your walk, how to pack and prepare for any hike, and how to ensure your hike is environmentally friendly and economical. Beginners and intermediate hikers will benefit from this workshop and it is never too early to do yourself a favour and invest in prolonging your mobility!

Learn Animal Tracks

with Aileen Barclay
January 13, 2021

Join Biologist, Aileen Barclay, for this webinar on identifying animal tracks of animals found on the Oak Ridges Moraine! Did you know that winter is one of the best times to learn this fun skill?

What’s Blooming?

with Paul Heydon
September 30, 2020

The fall is the grand finale of the blooming season, from asters to goldenrods, the blooms don’t stop just because summer is over! Join native plant expert Paul Heydon in this webinar to learn more about amazing plant species that flower in the autumn on the Moraine.

Fall Birding 101

with Kristen Martyn
September 16, 2020

Leaves aren’t the only thing to change in the fall – birds can change colours too! This and a change in behaviour can make the fall an especially fun time for birding if you have the right tips! Join Kristen in this webinar and get inspired to check out your feathered friends.  

What to Do with a Downpour

with Sean James
2020

Rain Gardens are the latest gardening trend, as they are a beautiful addition to a yard, allow the planting of some truly interesting plants and help the environment by catching and cleaning storm water so it can sink into the ground, restoring the Oak Ridges Moraine’s precious groundwater. Join Master Gardener, Sean James, as we cover how to design and build a rain garden.

Turtles in Trouble

with the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre

Seeing turtles basking on logs in the sunshine is a summer staple, but how much longer will we see this sight? Ontario’s turtles are facing some big challenges, but together we can help them out! Learn about some of the troubles turtles are in and meet a few live turtles from the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre.

Nifty Native Plants

with Sean James
2020

Why do we think that using native plants means a sacrifice in beauty? It does not! Sean James, Master Gardener, will discuss the best native plants to use in your gardens for stunning results, as well as best locations, ideas for difficult soils and situations. Adding native plants to your garden is one of the best ways to help the pollinators and birds.

Thank you to our generous sponsors for making these presentations possible!
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