TREE FEST OTTAWA FALL TREE FESTIVAL
PROGRAM FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23rd
Location: Brewer Park by Brewer Pond
100 Brewer Way, southern end of the park
FREE ADMISSION
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
ALL DAY ACTIVITIES
Exhibit and Displays
PhotoSynthesis is a large-scale photography exhibit produced by Tree Fest Ottawa presenting the perspectives of eight people with specialized knowledge and experience related to trees.
Six Moments in the History of Ottawa's Urban Forest by Joanna Dean, Historian from Carleton University
Recreational Activities
Outdoor library and reading area, slackline, crafts and outdoor games, listening station, bird watching station, picnic tables (bring your own lunch!)
Food/Drink and other Vendors
Merry Dairy Ice Cream Sandwiches and Frozen Custard - 11 am - 2 pm
Apples, apple cider and beer nuts (from Pascale's All Natural Ice Cream) as well as Bridgehead coffee and tea
Henna art by Halima Said
SPECIAL EVENTS
Guided Bird Walk with Marcel Gahbauer
9:30 am - 10:30 am
Start your day with a guided walk around Brewer Pond to discover the relationship between birds, trees and plants. As a practicing ecologist and birder, Marcel pays close attention to trees, and contributes to an annual assessment of cone and seed crops to inform the winter "finch forecast" that predicts the distribution and abundance of various finches each year.
Flowering Rush Removal with Rideau Valley Conservation Authority's City Stream Watch
9:30 am - 1:30 pm
As part of the stewardship of Brewer Park, join RVCA's City Stream Watch coordinator and aquatic resource technicians in a hands-on activity pulling the invasive aquatic plants that have colonized a portion of Brewer pond. Volunteers will be provided with chest waders and work gloves to assist with the invasive species removals. Very satisfying work! Bring rubber boots if you have them. To register for this event and receive additional event details please email: citystreamwatch@rvca.ca
History of Ottawa's Urban Forest with Joanna Dean
10 am - 10:15 am
How have the attitudes towards Ottawa's urban forest changed over time? What was Ottawa's tree canopy like 100 years ago? What have been defining moments in the history of Ottawa's urban forest? Join historian Joanna Dean from Carleton University to learn about the history of Ottawa's urban forest through the decades. Her exhibit, "Six Moments in the History of an Urban Forest" will be on display for the day.
Nature Scavenger Hunt by Tree Fest Ottawa
10 am and 11 am and 11:30 - 12:30 am
Participate in a nature scavenger hunt in the vicinity around Brewer Pond. Fun for all ages. Prizes too!
Edible Foraging In the City with Sharon Boddy
10:45 am - 11:45 am
Is it really possible to forage nutritious and tasty food in the middle of a city? Yes! Join local forager, Sharon Boddy, for the do's and don'ts of harvesting wild urban plants, all while learning more about the incredible species that grow right in your own backyard and in our parks.
Forest Therapy session with Andrea Prazmowski http://foresttherapyottawa.ca/
11:45 am - 12:45 pm and 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm
Trees are good medicine! A walk in the forest can reduce stress, boost the immune system and offer a fresh perspective on life. A Forest Therapy Guide's role is to help you access that forest medicine and wisdom. Learn more and get a taste of this practice.
Ask an Arborist with Bruce Reaney
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Come learn about common tree problems and how to address them. Why is there sap dripping from my tree? Will this tree damage my foundation? How do I care for my tree? Bruce is an arborist with 20 years of experience. Come to this interesting workshop and ask him your questions!
Tree Action Now! with local tree activists
1:45 pm - 2:30 pm
Join a Q&A session with local tree activists about the economic benefits of trees in the urban canopy; why municipal tree policies in Ottawa must actively support human health and mitigate climate change; and how YOU can work with others in your community to ensure candidates in your Ward commit to making tree protection a centrepiece of budgets and planning processes during the new term of city council (until 2022). Let's put trees on the agenda during the upcoming municipal election campaign!
Community Stewardship of City Parks with David Chernushenko
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
How can a resident get involved with park design and stewardship? Join David to tour around the southern end of Brewer Park to learn about his personal involvement in planting trees in the park and how community members can collaborate with local organizations and government to design, develop and care for city parks.
Djembe Hand Drumming Class Under the Trees with Eric Sarah from Wandara Création
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
As founder of Wandara Création, http://wandaracreation.com/a-propos/. Eric is an accomplished musician and animator, who performs and teaches drumming. See this link for a taste of his incredible skills https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qBSS0UQb9w
Registration is not required. Participants are encouraged to bring a hand drum if they have one. A few drums and other percussion instruments will be available for those who would like to participate.
Afternoon Yoga with Laurel Ralston
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Deepen your roots and grow your branches with a gentle yoga practice and meditation to help you connect to nature and enjoy the present moment. No previous yoga experience necessary. Please bring a mat if you have one, and email treefestottawa@gmail.com by Saturday, September 22nd if you need to borrow one.