FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  September, 2023
Urquhart Butterfly Garden, Centennial Park, Dundas

Signs of Fall – Interpretive Nature Walk
with Matt Mills

Free Event on Saturday, September 9 at 10 a.m.

Expert naturalist and gardener Matt Mills returns to Urquhart Butterfly Garden to lead our final guided walk of the year this Saturday, September 9 at 10 a.m.

“September is a remarkable time to visit the butterfly garden,” says Mills. “Late summer butterfly diversity is still good and we have had a few rare visitors.”

Monarch butterfly migration is underway with many moving overhead and some stopping in the garden to drink nectar. Meanwhile, songbirds head south without the boisterous songs of spring. Watch carefully for them as they feed quietly on seeds and berries. 

Each week brings new surprises.

This event is free and open to all, and you will leave with a new knowledge and understanding of the wonderful diversity of wildlife at the Urquhart Butterfly Garden. Let’s hope for gentle winds and sunny skies!

You are requested to bring a chair and wear a hat. No dogs please.
The event will be cancelled in the event of rain.

There is lots of free parking and the location is easily accessible by bus or bike.
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For more information contact:
Joanna Chapman
jfcchapman@gmail.com

Sponsored by the Dougher Fund of the Hamilton Community Foundation & Hamilton Naturalist’s Club.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                   August, 2023
Urquhart Butterfly Garden, Centennial Park, Dundas

Spiders – Facts and Identification
with Christopher Cheatle

Free Event on Saturday, September 2 at 10 a.m.

Christopher Cheatle has been a spider enthusiastic for many years. An active member of the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club, Christopher is well known for his identification skills and is one of the top birders in Canada. He is a keen observer of nature and often shares his observations and knowledge on both iNaturalist and Discord. 

If you are scared of spiders, please don’t be! In Ontario they are almost all harmless, extremely helpful, and amazing creatures. Not only do they have eight eyes and eight legs, but some can adjust their colour, and jump 25 times their own body length!

Join us at the Urquhart Butterfly Garden learn more fascinating spider facts from Christopher this Saturday, September 2 at 10 a.m. 

You are requested to bring a chair and wear a hat. No dogs please.
The event will be cancelled in the event of rain.

There is lots of free parking and the location is easily accessible by bus or bike.
………………………………………………………………………………………………..

For more information contact:
Joanna Chapman
jfcchapman@gmail.com

Sponsored by the Dougher Fund of the Hamilton Community Foundation & Hamilton Naturalist’s Club.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                   August, 2023
Urquhart Butterfly Garden, Centennial Park, Dundas

Nature Identification Walk with Matt Mills

Free Event on Saturday, August 26 at 10 a.m.

Matt Mills, one of the top naturalists in the Hamilton area, returns to the garden this Saturday to lead a nature identification walk.

This is one of the most exciting times of year for nature watching. The birds and butterflies have started to congregate, ready for their big trip south.

See the changes happening as insects sense the urgency and stock up for winter hibernation, and the birds strip the dogwoods of their berries. Matt will point out the little things you may have missed on your own.

You are requested to bring a chair and wear a hat. No dogs please.
The event will be cancelled in the event of rain.

There is lots of free parking and the location is easily accessible by bus or bike.
………………………………………………………………………………………………..

For more information contact:
Joanna Chapman
jfcchapman@gmail.com

Sponsored by the Dougher Fund of the Hamilton Community Foundation & Hamilton Naturalists’ Club.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                   August, 2023
Urquhart Butterfly Garden, Centennial Park, Dundas

The Beavers of Desjardins

Free Event on Saturday, August 19 at 10 a.m.
Aquatic Ecologist Colin Oaks will be our guide.

Beavers have been both lauded and cursed, as these fascinating species go about their business.

Colin Oaks grew up with a passion for the outdoors, especially for activities around water. Colin is now the Aquatic Ecologist for the Hamilton Conservation Authority, designing and developing restoration projects. He has had ample opportunity to study local beaver populations, and has developed a keen interest and knowledge of their habits and general behaviour.

Join us this Saturday August 19 at 10 am. and learn how important beavers are to the ecosystem and why we should thank them for the amazing jobs they do!

You are requested to bring a chair and wear a hat. The event will be cancelled in the event of rain.

There is lots of free parking and the location is easily accessible by bus or bike.
………………………………………………………………………………………………..

For more information contact:
Joanna Chapman
jchapman@295.ca
or Phone 905-627-8917

Sponsored by the Dougher Fund of the Hamilton Community Foundation & Hamilton Naturalists’ Club.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                   August, 2023
Urquhart Butterfly Garden, Centennial Park, Dundas

Butterfly & Nature Identification Walk

Free Event on Saturday, August 12 at 10 a.m.
Talented naturalist Matt Mills will be our guide.

We are delighted to have naturalist and gardener Matt Mills return to lead a Butterfly & Nature Identification Talk at the Urquhart Butterfly Garden this Saturday.

Our first event in July did not take place due to a very heavy day of rain, but we shall not be able to hold a plant sale in conjunction with this talk, as we had previously hoped.

It takes a trained eye to point out hidden butterflies and to distinguish the identifying features. Can you tell the difference between a Monarch and a Viceroy? Do you know why stinging nettle is such an important plant in a butterfly garden? Find these answers and much more.

The session is open to all, and you will leave with a new knowledge and understanding of the wonderful diversity of wildlife at the Urquhart Butterfly Garden. Saturday August 12, at 10 am. Let’s hope for gentle winds and sunny skies!

You are requested to bring a chair and wear a hat. The event will be cancelled in the event of rain.

There is lots of free parking and the location is easily accessible by bus or bike.
………………………………………………………………………………………………..

For more information contact:
Joanna Chapman
jchapman@295.ca
or Phone 905-627-8917

Sponsored by the Dougher Fund of the Hamilton Community Foundation & Hamilton Naturalists’ Club.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                   August, 2023
Urquhart Butterfly Garden, Centennial Park, Dundas

Dragonflies & Their Kin – Masters of Air & Water
Brenda Van Ryswyk

A Free Workshop on Saturday, August 5 at 10 a.m.

Brenda Van Ryswyk is an expert on dragonflies, and she is coming back this year by popular demand!  

Dragonflies have lived on earth for 300 million years, and during this time have honed their extraordinary skills, which include being able to see in all directions at the same time, and the ability to hover like a helicopter.

Dragonflies and Damselflies are fascinating to watch, with their extraordinary displays of speed and agility in the air, and some species can fly for many thousands of miles. However, don’t be deceived by their agility and beauty, because they are also very powerful hunters, and gobble up scores of smaller insects as they zip through the air.

This free workshop on August 5^th at 10 a.m. is suitable for young and old.

• Please wear a hat and bring a chair
• The workshop will be cancelled in the event of rain
• Lots of free parking and on a bus route

Sponsored by the Dougher Fund of the Hamilton Community Foundation & Hamilton Naturalists’ Club

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For more information contact:

Joanna Chapman, Coordinator, Urquhart Butterfly Garden
Phone 905-627-8917
email: jchapman@295.ca
Website: urquhartbutterfly.com

*****

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                        July 2023

Urquhart Butterfly Garden
Centennial Park, Dundas
Summer Series 2023:  Saturdays, July 29th – September 9th

The Urquhart Butterfly Garden begins its Summer Series of events with a
Butterfly & Nature Identification Walk and Plant Sale
Saturday, July 29 at 10 a.m.

Talented naturalist and experienced gardener Matt Mills will be the first of our Saturday guides.

It takes a trained eye to point out hidden butterflies and to distinguish the identifying features. Can you tell the difference between a Monarch and a Viceroy? Do you know why stinging nettle is such an important plant in a butterfly garden? Join us Saturday and find out. You will leave with new knowledge and understanding of the wonderful diversity of wildlife at the Urquhart Butterfly Garden. 

Matt will be bringing a selection of organically grown native plants which may be purchased.

The session is free and open to all. You are requested to bring a chair and wear a hat.  The event will be cancelled in the event of rain.

The Urquhart Butterfly Garden is immediately adjacent to Centennial Park and the Hamilton Air Force Association at 128 King St. E in Dundas.

There is plenty of free parking and the location is easily accessible by public transportation or bicycle.

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For more information contact:

Joanna Chapman
jchapman@295.ca
or Phone 905-627-8917

Sponsored by the Dougher Fund of the Hamilton Community Foundation & Hamilton Naturalists’ Club