Winter Fun With TRCA

Getting through winter here in the Great White North can be a little rough. Thankfully, now that we’ve reached the Family Day weekend, there’s some spring light at the end of the tunnel. But winter isn’t quite done with us yet!

Ever helpful, Canadians are quick to share tips for surviving the long, cold months – from layering up before you head outdoors to laying in supplies for an extended Netflix binge. But there’s one tip that tends to get lost in the mix: embracing the season.

While the elements are beyond our command, our mindset is something we can control. We can choose to be positive and excited about winter, and to engage in outdoor activities that support our mental and physical health.

Ready to get outside and make the most of winter this Family Day? Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) has you covered.

Connect With Nature This Winter


Get Outside!

snow-covered trail at Albion Hills Conservation Park

Explore the outdoors and discover a new trail at one of TRCA’s many wilderness locations.

NEW!

Avenza Maps

Use Avenza Maps during the winter months to explore the trails at Albion Hills Conservation Park and Kortright Centre for Conservation. You will find new QR Code signs to connect you directly to TRCA trail maps. The Winter Trail Map at Albion Hills is now in effect.

Avenza Maps QR code for Albion Hills Conservation Park trail maps
Albion Hills
Avenza Maps QR code for Albion Hills Conservation Park trail maps
Kortright Centre

VIEW ALL TRCA CONSERVATION PARKS & LANDS

 

Get to Know the Local Winter Wildlife

animal tracks in the snow
https://trcaca.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/app/uploads/2023/02/15134439/painting-ttp-march4-FEATURED.jpg
a pair of snowshoes standing upright in a snow drift at Claireville Conservation Area

HOOT AND HOWL
Saturday February 18, 2023 – 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Cold Creek Conservation Area, Nobleton

Whoooo goes there? Join TRCA to learn about owls and coyotes in the Greater Toronto area! Discover their unique calls and amazing nighttime adaptations.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

ALL ABOUT BIRDS: CAVITY NESTERS
Tuesday February 21, 2023 – 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Webinar

Home is where the hole is! Explore the fascinating world of chickadees and other cavity-nesting birds and find out what is being done to support these species.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

WINTER WONDERS
Thursday February 23, 2023 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Southfields Community Centre, Caledon

Learn how wildlife survive chilly weather, and find out how to recognize their tracks and signs.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

PAINTING IN THE PARK: WINTER BIRDS
Saturday March 4, 2023 – 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | 1:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Tommy Thompson Park, Toronto

Learn painting techniques while immersed in the unique beauty of Tommy Thompson Park! Enjoy a short hike through Toronto’s Urban Wilderness to gain inspiration from nature, then take part in a guided workshop that will help you create your own unique work of art.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

SNOWSHOES AND SNOW-CLUES
Saturday March 4, 2023 – 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Claireville Conservation Area, Brampton

Enjoy an introduction to snowshoeing as you learn to track and identify signs of local animals, and discover their secrets for surviving the frigid weather.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

View the TRCA calendar for more winter events.

 

Savour the Sweetest Time of Year

young family learns about traditional method of tapping trees to collect sap at Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival at Bruces Mill Conservation Park
costumed educator demonstrates traditional method of making maple syrup at Sugarbush Maple Syrup festival at Kortright Centre for Conservation

COMING SOON: SUGARBUSH MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL
March 5-April 1, 2023
Bruce’s Mill Conservation Park, Stouffville; Kortright Centre for Conservation, Woodbridge

The Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival is just around the corner! Enjoy demonstrations and activities – and, of course, real maple syrup! Special family fun activities on weekends and during March Break.

LEARN MORE & GET TICKETS

 

Get Ready for March Break Adventures

girl practices carrying sap buckets with a yoke at the Maple Days at the Village event at Black Creek Pioneer Village
students use binoculars to search for wildlife during March Break Camp at Tommy Thompson Park

TRCA MARCH BREAK CAMPS
March 13-17, 2023
Tommy Thompson Park, Toronto; Lake St. George Field Centre, Richmond Hill

Book a slot for your kids to enjoy a March Break camp experience at Tommy Thompson Park or Lake St. George. Campers will embark on guided hikes, play nature-based games outdoors, create nature crafts, and develop a connection with the natural world.

REGISTER NOW FOR CAMPS

MAPLE DAYS AT THE VILLAGE
March 13-17, 2023
Black Creek Pioneer Village, Toronto

Celebrate the sweetness of maple syrup season! Join us at the Village during March Break and discover the old-fashioned skills needed to take this sweet treat all the way from tree to table.

LEARN MORE & GET TICKETS

Enjoy Year-Round Adventure at TRCA Parks

A TRCA Conservation Parks Membership Pass provides access to outdoor recreational experiences across the GTA.

Get free admission to locations including Black Creek Pioneer Village, Bruce’s Mill Conservation Park, Heart Lake Conservation Park, and Kortright Centre for Conservation, along with free parking and exclusive discounts on recreational activities.

LEARN MORE & BUY YOUR PASS

Purchase a Conservation Parks membership pass