Discovery Programs at Riverwood

Join us for a tour around Riverwood to explore the natural and cultural history of the site, as well as visiting the garden beds and conservation sites that The Riverwood Conservancy maintains.

Riverwood offers one of the best birding opportunities in Mississauga, thanks to The Riverwood Conservancy's work to preserve habitat and diverse ecosystems. Join us to learn bird identification by colour, shape, and sound. Binoculars will be provided for the duration of the event, along with a bird checklist to take home (and bring back on your next visit!). All experience levels are welcome, and we'll tailor the tour to accommodate your group’s birding knowledge.

Riverwood has vast biodiversity when it comes to trees, creating a healthy and thriving ecosystem. Learn how to identify Ontario’s tree species by leaves, bark, buds, cones, and shapes.

Don’t be afraid of the dark – the nocturnal creatures that inhabit Riverwood sure aren’t! Come explore nature at night and learn about your nocturnal neighbours, including the sights and sounds you may not normally experience in the daytime.

Winter offers ideal conditions for tracking wildlife and understanding their movements. Each track offers a hint to a bigger story. Join us to explore footprints left in the snow, the remanence of animal chews, and the hints of a warm winter home beneath the snow.

Join us for a slow meander through Riverwood looking at all things that flutter! Learn the basics of identifying butterflies by their colour, size, shape, and flight. We will equip you with butterfly nets and teach you how to ethically catch, identify, and release butterflies.

With nearly ten unique gardens at Riverwood, there is much to explore and learn. Join us for a stroll through our garden beds and learn about their upkeep and maintenance that is primarily done by our dedicated volunteers. Discover how you can bring the magic of these gardens to your own backyard, or get involved in our volunteer gardening programs.

Join us for a walk in the woods as we admire our native wildflowers, and maybe some pesky invasives as well. Every new month provides an opportunity to see a new species of blooming wildflowers.

Join us to learn about the fascinating biology and history behind the yearly salmon run. From Lake Ontario all the way up the Credit River that runs through Riverwood, these salmon migrate through shallow rivers to lay the next generation. Please note that Riverwood does not have natural waterfalls or man-made dams, so you do not typically observe salmon “jumping” out of the water.

When the fall comes around, Riverwood's forest canopy is on full display with bright reds, yellows, and oranges! Join us for a walk in the woods, observing the season’s changes and learn why natural phenomena occur at this time of the year. You may be surprised to learn that it's not only the trees that are changing colours!

Canadian winters are extremely taxing on the survival of our wildlife. Many species have chosen between three distinct adaptations: hibernation, migration, or to completely tolerate the colder conditions. Join us for a walk around Riverwood as we look at some of the species that are braving the winter, and explore the habitats of hibernating critters.

Join us for a virtual tour around Riverwood exploring the natural and cultural history of the site, as well as virtually visiting the garden beds and conservation sites that The Riverwood Conservancy maintains.

Learn how to be thoughtful in your backyard gardens when it comes to providing natural food, shelter, water and space for our native bird species. Birds provide humans with a tremendous amount of ecosystem services, but how can you repay the favour?

A Canadian Legend. This remarkable creature is not just an ecosystem engineer, creating its own habitat, shelter, and food, but also plays a crucial role in providing essential ecosystem services and habitat for other wildlife. Join us to delve into the fascinating world of this diligent tree-feller.

Adored worldwide for its captivating beauty and inspiring conservation story. Join us to learn about the monarch butterfly’s life cycle, its massive migration from Canada to Mexico, and the numerous challenges throughout its journey.