The University of Guelph Arboretum is offering an expanded Owl Workshop on January 23, 2026, giving local birders and nature enthusiasts a deep dive into Ontario’s nocturnal raptors. Led by Arboretum Interpretive Naturalist Joseph Langlois, the seven-hour session runs from 1:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Arboretum Centre. Early-bird registration is $105 (plus HST) if you register by Jan. 15, 2026; the fee rises to $115 after that date.
The workshop combines indoor lessons on plumage, calls and behaviour with hands-on activities such as dissecting owl pellets, plus outdoor field exercises on calling and searching for owls. Participants will explore habitat needs, migration patterns and owl folklore under the guidance of Langlois, a Master of Environmental Sciences graduate who connects scientific data to storytelling. Full details are available on the official event listing: https://news.uoguelph.ca/event/owl-workshop-3/.
In addition to the day-long workshop, the Arboretum Naturalists and Wild Ontario will host evening Owl Prowl walks in late January and February. For $16 (plus HST) per session, attendees can meet live ambassador owls and practise field techniques on the Arboretum’s trails and woodlands (The Arboretum covers about 165 hectares).
This expanded programming reflects a growing community interest in citizen science and supports the Arboretum’s conservation and education mandates. Fees help support the Arboretum’s conservation and education programs; Wild Ontario provides a long-term home for permanently injured birds-of-prey that serve as ambassador animals for education and outreach.
For registration and schedule updates, see The Arboretum workshops page.
