About this Event
Beaver Walk, Forest Week 2026
Join us for an in-person evening adventure during Forest Week 2026! Discover the fascinating world of beavers up close. It's a perfect chance to connect with nature, learn fun facts, and enjoy a relaxed walk along the Marden Creek trail at Ignatius Jesuit Centre (located just north of Guelph).
This walk, led by Julianna van Adrichem, will explore the remarkable role of beavers in shaping healthy ecosystems. Often misunderstood as nuisances, beavers are in fact powerful ecosystem restoration experts, slowing water, repairing floodplains, and creating habitat for a wide range of species.
We’ll look for signs of beaver activity and discuss how their dam-building supports biodiversity and climate resilience. And, we'll consider how working with natural processes can lead to better outcomes for our communities.
This walk will combine natural history, observation, and conversation, and is open to anyone curious to understand beavers and the hidden dynamics of the landscapes around us.
*Please note: I can guarantee that we will see a beaver dam and lodge. But I cannot guarantee that we will see the beavers themselves! Animals have their own agendas!
*Bring a child (1 per adult), 16 and under, for free. No need to register them.
*Pay what you can. If the cost is a barrier at all, please feel free to use codes:
- "BeaverDiscount25" for 25% off, or
- "BeaverDiscount50" for 50% off.
LOCATION: Meet at Ignatius Jesuit Centre (5420 Highway 6, Guelph ON N1H 6J2) by the Loyola House Chardin Trail head (https://maps.app.goo.gl/CpN8TwuJzReGSkUQ7 )
For more information about the trails at Ignatius Jesuit Centre please visit:Trails and Maps | Ignatius Jesuit Centre.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- Distance: Approximately 3-5 km walking
- Terrain: Uneven terrain with some rocks and roots, and some wet spots
- Trail Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
- Washrooms: none
- This event is family-friendly.
- This event is NOT dog-friendly.
- Dress for the weather.
- Parking: lots available
Bring your binoculars and spotting scopes if you have them. If you need binoculars, Guelph Public Library has binoculars that can be borrowed.
Email [email protected] if you have any questions.
Event venue & nearby stays
Ignatius Jesuit Centre, 5420 Highway 6, Guelph, Canada
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.