about the series
Wild Wisdom is a seasonal series dedicated to celebrating parks, nature, and the magic of working with the seasons. From informative talks to hands-on experiences, each event is designed to inspire and educate participants on the wonders of the natural world.
Join us as we explore, learn, and grow together!
Join us as we explore, learn, and grow together!
gREENHOUSE TOUR + cocktail hour
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🌱 As winter begins to loosen its grip, step inside the historic Pinafore Park Greenhouses for a unique guided tour. Led by the city's head gardener, you'll get an inside look at how plants are grown for city gardens and planters, along with efforts to restore native species to the local ecosystem—even in the heart of winter.
🍸 Sip & Savor: Wrap up your visit with a botanical cocktail inspired by seasonal ingredients from the gardens—served by From the Vines. ✨ Very Limited Capacity! This intimate experience offers rare access to the greenhouses and is available to a small group only. Secure your spot before tickets sell out! 📍 Location & Parking: The greenhouses are just inside the Elm Street entrance to Pinafore Park (95 Elm Street), on the right-hand side. Parking is available on-site. DATE: March 7th TIME: 3pm-5pm LOCATION: Pinafore Park Greenhouses, 95 Elm St, St. Thomas |
Meet your guideS
Planting Day
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Come on out and plant some native plants and wildflowers, and hear from experts on the importance of the naturalized areas that exists throughout the City of St. Thomas. If you'd like to come learn and lend a hand, please register below to ensure we have something ready for you to plant!
DATE: October 3rd TIME: 10am-12pm LOCATION: Shaw Valley Park, 110 Shaw Valley Dr, St Thomas |
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Project background
City Council approved Recreational Trail standard supports naturalization along the trails and within portions of our parkland. This standard encourages the planting of native wildflowers with a 1-meter buffer to prevent overgrowth onto the trails. These efforts not only enhance our community's beauty but also play a crucial role in combating global warming by preserving native species essential to our ecosystem's health. The preservation of native flowers is vital, as they support pollinator species that are key to maintaining biodiversity and reducing the impacts of climate change.
Our dedication to these initiatives has earned St. Thomas the "Bee City" designation, underscoring our commitment to protecting pollinators. Ontario NativeScape, a company that has successfully planted and maintained several naturalized areas in the city has seeded this area with a variety of native species listed in the attachment.
By developing and maintaining these habitats, removing invasive species, and reducing unnecessary mowing, the City of St. Thomas is not only improving the environment but also actively contributing to the fight against global warming. In these areas you'll find native plants like goldenrod, black-eyed Susan, chicory, beebalm, and sow thistle (as well as attached seed list). These plants support pollinators and contribute to reducing carbon emissions by promoting natural, sustainable landscapes.
Additionally, any animals that tend to shelter in the area pose no threat to the homes. These animals protect themselves from predators and are likely part of the natural ecosystem that these habitats support. If there are signs of mice or rats, it's important to consider that they are often attracted to locations with nearby food sources, which could be the underlying cause.
Lastly, while environmental plants can sometimes cause allergies, most pollen comes from trees and grasses, rather than the native plants along the trail.
Our dedication to these initiatives has earned St. Thomas the "Bee City" designation, underscoring our commitment to protecting pollinators. Ontario NativeScape, a company that has successfully planted and maintained several naturalized areas in the city has seeded this area with a variety of native species listed in the attachment.
By developing and maintaining these habitats, removing invasive species, and reducing unnecessary mowing, the City of St. Thomas is not only improving the environment but also actively contributing to the fight against global warming. In these areas you'll find native plants like goldenrod, black-eyed Susan, chicory, beebalm, and sow thistle (as well as attached seed list). These plants support pollinators and contribute to reducing carbon emissions by promoting natural, sustainable landscapes.
Additionally, any animals that tend to shelter in the area pose no threat to the homes. These animals protect themselves from predators and are likely part of the natural ecosystem that these habitats support. If there are signs of mice or rats, it's important to consider that they are often attracted to locations with nearby food sources, which could be the underlying cause.
Lastly, while environmental plants can sometimes cause allergies, most pollen comes from trees and grasses, rather than the native plants along the trail.
Your guides
Adrienne GriffinManager of Parks and Forestry, City of St. Thomas
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Matt RobinsonGardener, City of St. Thomas
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kaity VeitchInvasive Species Technician, City of St. Thomas
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PART 2 - POLLINATor tour
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Part 2 begins with meeting at the Celebration Pavilion in beautiful Pinafore Park followed by a walking tour around Lake Margaret that will focus on naturalizing areas and pollinators.
Learn about native plants, bat boxes, reduction of invasive species, native plantings and future plans! DATE: June 21st TIME: 10am-12pm LOCATION: Meet at Lion's Club Celebration Pavilion in Pinafore Park *the pavilion can be found on the south side of the park and has a red roof. |
This event is a part of National Pollinator Week!
National Pollinator Week is an annual event celebrated internationally in support of pollinator health. It's a time to celebrate pollinators and spread the word about what we can do to protect them. Use the official Pollinator Week Toolkit to help you celebrate and promote your involvement in this year’s #PollinatorWeek.
National Pollinator Week is an annual event celebrated internationally in support of pollinator health. It's a time to celebrate pollinators and spread the word about what we can do to protect them. Use the official Pollinator Week Toolkit to help you celebrate and promote your involvement in this year’s #PollinatorWeek.
part 1 - spring prep in winter
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Join us in the cozy community room of Memorial Centre on March 16th for an interactive talk about Spring and how to get a head start in the off-season.
Dive into the world of horticulture therapy with our keynote speaker, Guinevere Kern before gleaning insights from local farmers from Mistyglen Creamery, Our Fields, and Brandywine, as they share their secrets for prepping the land and getting excited for the season ahead. And finally hear firsthand from our own City Parks department about their springtime schedule! Due to space limitations registration is required. DATE: March 16th TIME: 1pm-4pm LOCATION: Memorial Centre Community Room, 80 Wilson Ave. |
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keynote speaker
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Guinevere Kern is a passionate advocate, educator, and practitioner who strives to encourage curiosity, find nourishment, and build hope through the transformative power of horticulture.
Her current roles include working at Homewood Health Center in the Horticultural Therapy Department, teaching with Landscape Ontario’s GROW training program as a Horticulture Technical Instructor, and advocating for the professional development of Horticultural Therapy as a viable therapeutic modality. Guinevere has completed an intensive 1000-hour Horticultural Therapy Internship specializing in therapeutic gardening and community development, founded a Horticultural Therapy Program in a long-term care facility, and was lead Nature Therapist for people in recovery from Motorized Vehicle Accidents. Her horticulture background includes the University of Guelph in the Department of Plant Agriculture in 2 native wildflower and ornamental plant research, nursery, landscape, and greenhouse work in Canada, and organic agriculture in the United States. She is an active member of the Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association (CHTA), American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA), and sits on the CHTA Education Committee. Guinevere brings a transdisciplinary approach to health and wellness that invites us to cultivate the precious interconnected relationship between plants, the broader environment, ourselves, and one another. |
local farmers
Our Fields
Roger and Romina have been organically farming two acres of land in Aylmer since 2018. They sell their vegetables and homemade small batch preserves at Horton Farmers’ Market and Covent Garden Farmers’ Market. |
Mistyglen Creamery
Mistyglen is a 50-60 cow robotic dairy farm with an on farm processing facility allowing a full farm to table experience. Our current product line consists of minimally processed non homogenized white & chocolate milk, traditional cup set yogurt, fresh cheese curds every Friday with over 13 flavours and dry curd cottage cheese. We love to educate the public on agricultural practices and host open houses with a goal of a more inclusive agri-tourism as we continue to grow. |
Brandywine
We are currently doing a variety of farming on 18 acres, plus 35 acres in cash crops and another 20 acres for hay. Our main focus is grass-fed lamb (hence the hay) but we also grow garden veggies for sale at the market (as well as making preserves that we sell and stock our panty with), eggs, honey and maybe some maple syrup this year. We sell our products at local farmers’ markets as well as from the farm gate. |
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