Winter is heating up, as Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) brings exciting festivals, outdoor adventures, and community learning to the GTA – perfect for Family Day fun and March Break excursions.
Snowy Days at The Village
Embrace the wonder of winter this Family Day weekend at The Village at Black Creek. Sip warm cocoa as you visit indoor and outdoor stations for hands-on activities and demonstrations.
Learn how to craft a paper lantern, dive into 19th-century natural history, get food preservation tips for winter, and more.
Location: The Village at Black Creek, 1000 Murray Ross Parkway, Toronto, ON
Dates: Saturday, February 15 and Sunday, February 16, 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
2025 Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival
Tap into spring at Kortright Centre for Conservation and Bruce’s Mill Conservation Park. Discover the beauty of the spring forest and learn how maple syrup has been made through the ages. Delicious fun for the entire family!
Location: Kortright Centre for Conservation, 9550 Pine Valley Drive, Vaughan, ON
Dates: March Break – Saturday, March 8 to Sunday, March 16, 2025 | Weekends from March 22 to April 6, 2025
Festival Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Demonstrations: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Location: Bruce’s Mill Conservation Park, 3291 Stouffville Road Stouffville, ON
Dates: March Break – Saturday, March 8 to Sunday, March 16, 2025 | Weekends – March 22, 23, 29, 30 and April 5, 6, 2025
Festival Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Demonstrations: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Maple Days at The Village
Celebrate the charm of maple syrup season this March Break, as The Village at Black Creek buzzes with the energy of early spring. Discover the skills needed to take this sweet treat from tree to table and discuss how Indigenous Peoples mastered the secrets of maple sugaring.
Location: The Village at Black Creek, 1000 Murray Ross Parkway, Toronto, ON
Dates: March Break – Monday, March 10 to Friday, March 14, 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
WILDERNESS CAMPS FOR KIDS
PA Day Camps
TRCA’s PA day camps offer youngsters a day of outdoor adventure, as they enjoy guided wilderness hikes, explore nature-based games and crafts, learn about local wildlife, and more!
Locations: Albion Hills Conservation Park | Claireville Conservation Area | Tommy Thompson Park
Date: Friday, February 14, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
LEARN MORE & REGISTER FOR CAMPS
TRCA March Break Camps
TRCA’s March Break camps allow kids to explore all that nature has to offer, at great locations across the GTA. Led by expert instructors, youngsters will can enjoy hands-on experiences, workshops, hikes, animal tracking, and more.
Locations: VIEW ALL
Date: Monday, March 10 to Friday, March 14, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
LEARN MORE & REGISTER FOR CAMPS
EVENTS FOR BIRD-LOVERS
The Birds and the Beaks
A bird’s beak is one of its most recognizable features – but what makes a beak so special? Join us for an aspect of bird science you may not have thought of, and learn a new way of appreciating the varied and often strange adaptations of our feathered friends.
Free event. No registration required.
Location: Toronto Public Library – S. Walter Stewart Branch, 170 Memorial Park Avenue, Toronto, ON
Date: Thursday, February 13, 2025
Time: 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Humble Hummers: The Life of a Hummingbird
Hummingbirds are tiny, fast, and fascinating – but what makes them truly unique? Explore their incredible adaptations and epic migrations, and learn how to spot these winged wonders in your neighbourhood.
Free event. No registration required.
Location: Toronto Public Library – S. Walter Stewart Branch, 170 Memorial Park Avenue, Toronto, ON
Date: Thursday, February 13, 2025
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Great Backyard Bird Count at Claireville
Be part of a citizen science movement and help track local bird populations while enjoying the beauty of nature.
Whether you’re a seasoned birder or a first-timer, your contributions can help make a real impact on conservation efforts.
Location: Claireville Conservation Area, 8180 Highway 50, Brampton, ON
Date: Monday, February 17, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
All About Birds: Cavity-Nesters
Did you know chickadees use tree cavities for nesting? They are not alone! Join us virtually to learn about the fascinating world of local cavity-nesters.
Location: Online
Date: Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Hoot and Howl
Experience an exciting evening of exploration into the mysterious world of nocturnal wildlife!
The night kicks off with a captivating presentation on owls and coyotes, followed by a walk to listen for eerie hoots and distant howls – an unforgettable adventure for nature lovers of all ages.
Location: Claremont Nature Centre, 4290 Westney Road North, Pickering, ON
Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
FAMILY FUN
Diane Kashin Family Adventure Walk in the Forest
Enjoy a fun-filled, nature-packed day exploring the scenic Kortright Centre for Conservation! Try traditional winter games, create ice and snow art, and much more.
Location: Kortright Centre for Conservation, 9550 Pine Valley Drive, Vaughan, ON
Date: Monday, February 17, 2025
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Snowshoes and Snow-Clues
Discover the wonders of winter wildlife on snowshoes and leave some tracks of your own! Join us at Claremont Nature Centre to learn how our animal neighbours survive the chilly winter temperatures.
Location: Claremont Nature Centre, 4290 Westney Road North, Pickering, ON
Date: Sunday, February 23, 2025
Time: 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.