The Nature School at Toronto Zoo – Toronto

The Nature School at the Toronto Zoo takes place primarily outdoors at the largest zoo in Canada, on the Toronto Zoo’s more than 500-acre property.

Students will have access to the zoo’s outdoor learning areas and pavilions, the Kids Zoo area, the seven zoogeographic regions, and natural areas and trails down in the Rouge Valley on the property, not available to the public.

In the event of inclement weather, students will have a private indoor learning space at the Dja River research station located at the African Pavilion.

Register for The Nature School at Toronto Zoo

Meet Our Team

The Nature School Staff Bios

Adrian O’Driscoll, Senior Manager, Community Outreach & Education Adrian O’Driscoll is an experienced administrative professional working with environmental professionals, teachers, and educators in developing and delivering environmental educational programs and experiences for students and families. Adrian has worked with TRCA for 25 years and is currently Senior Manager, Community Outreach & Education, managing the Peel Community Learning team and Kortright Centre for Conservation, in addition to overseeing the education teams and programming operating out of Claireville Conservation Area. Adrian has four children, enjoys canoeing, skiing, and hiking, and is the principal for The Nature School.

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Robert Wallis, Supervisor, Community Outreach & Education, TRCA Robert Wallis oversees the administration and operations of TRCA’s suite of Nature Schools located at the Toronto Zoo, Kortright Centre, Claireville, and Claremont Nature Centre. Robert has experience developing and delivering educational and outdoor-based programs and designing and administering assessment tools for student learning to a variety of grades. He chaired a number of working groups and committees related to outdoor recreation and education, collaborating with numerous environmental partners and stakeholders, was the Principal and Education and Curriculum Manager for over 10 years with Outward Bound, where he operated an inspected private school, has taught within the TDSB as an occasional teacher, and has been a Program Director and Education Coordinator/Instructor with Outward Bound, among other roles. Robert has his Bachelor of Education, is a certified teacher, has a Bachelor of Science, has a Master of Science and has a PhD in Genetics from Oxford University.

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Laura Holland, Nature School Teacher, Toronto Zoo Laura Holland has experience developing and facilitating numerous curriculum-linked, child-led, play and inquiry-based education programs at a various educational locations and programs, and has worked for over 10 years in the education field, most recently running a forest school at Willowgrove Farm in Stouffville. Laura has also worked as the Kindergarten teacher at the Tir na nog Forest school in New Brunswick, and a TDSB Junior Public School as an Early Childhood Educator integrating Waldorf, Reggio, and Forest school approaches to teaching and learning. Laura was also a volunteer a few years ago at the Kortright Centre Nature School. Laura has a Bachelor of Education Degree, is a certified teacher, has an Early Childhood Education Diploma, and a Forest School Practitioners Certification.

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Kelly Hosier, Teacher, The Nature School, OCT, Toronto Zoo Kelly Hosier is a dedicated individual who holds a deep love and appreciation for the land where she plays, learns, and works. Throughout her life, she has been a committed lifelong learner. Kelly is a certified OCT teacher, and is always open to new experiences and willing to unlearn in order to learn when necessary. Her existence revolves around her close connection with the land, which she both loves and respects. In Kelly’s life, engaging with nature is not just a choice but a fundamental necessity. Activities such as forest bathing, camping, hiking, paddling, and swimming serve as essential aspects of her life, allowing her to slow down, unwind, and find inner peace, which she then spreads to the people around her. One of Kelly’s primary goals is to inspire her students, family, colleagues, community, and friends to immerse themselves in nature and take risks to become lifelong lovers of the environment and life itself. She believes in the transformative power of nature and is dedicated to sharing this passion with others. Kelly’s life journey is a beautiful balance between the pursuit of new challenges and the serenity she finds in the natural world. Her commitment to lifelong learning and her unwavering love for nature will hopefully help guide the young minds of our youth.

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Carolyn Burke, Education Interpreter, The Nature School, Toronto Zoo Carolyn has always loved nature and spending time outdoors. Growing up, her family often visited the Toronto Zoo, where she fondly remembers seeing Charles, the silverback gorilla. For the past three years, she has been working at Kortright Centre for Conservation with school groups, which is where she discovered her passion for teaching outdoor education. With an academic background in horticulture and psychology, Carolyn is fascinated by all living things and enjoys sharing her passion with children. She is wildly excited to be a part of the Toronto Zoo Nature School!

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Laura Hirt, Education Interpreter, The Nature School, Toronto Zoo Laura Hirt has an academic background in horticultural studies and holds an advanced diploma in fashion arts. Laura is passionate about the environment, sustainable practices, and conservation. This is found in her volunteer work as an environmental and entomology field technician in Wiikwemkoong, ON, where she contributed to biodiversity research and species-at-risk projects. Laura is from Scarborough and has had many wonderful visits to the Toronto Zoo since childhood. Laura also works at Kortright Centre for Conservation as an education interpreter focusing on teaching about nature with real world connections. Laura has previously worked at Harbourfront Centre as a waterfront explorations educator, and at Parks Canada, Port Royal Site in Nova Scotia as a heritage interpreter. Laura has always loved working with children, especially when connecting the environment to child-led learning.

Cancellation Policy

A non-refundable deposit is due upon registration.

If you wish to cancel your child’s registration prior to the scheduled end date of the school program, we require 30 days written notice by email to vservices@trca.ca. Fees will be pro-rated and charged for the notice period and the deposit will be forfeited. If you wish to re-enroll your child after cancelling, a new deposit will be due.

There are no refunds for school days missed or not participating in school activities.

If tuition fees are paid monthly, the non-refundable deposit due upon registration will be used to offset the last month of the scheduled school program.

Minimum registration numbers are required in order for The Nature School to operate. In the event The Nature School must cancel due to low registration numbers a full refund for the cancelled days will be issued.

View Our Other Nature School Locations

Claireville

Claremont

Kortright

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