What’s Growing in York Region’s Forests? Not All of It Belongs Here |
Guided forest walks will help residents spot invasive plants, discover native species and learn simple ways to protect York Region’s natural spaces. |
York Region is inviting residents to get a closer look at what’s growing in our local forests — including some plants that don’t belong there.
As part of its guided walk series, York Region is hosting two “Nature’s Invaders” walks at the Porritt Tract of the York Regional Forest in Whitchurch-Stouffville on August 18 and 19 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Staff from York Region and Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF) will lead participants along the trails, pointing out both native and invasive plant species. Along the way, they’ll explain how invasive plants can damage natural habitats, affect wildlife and disrupt the balance of the forest.
The walks are also designed to give residents practical tips for recognizing invasive species and helping prevent their spread — useful knowledge you can take back to your own yard and neighbourhood.
The program is open to ages 10 and up, with children under 16 required to attend with an adult. Participants should wear comfortable, closed-toe trail or hiking shoes and come prepared for the weather, as walks will go ahead rain or shine unless conditions become unsafe.
The walks take place at the Porritt Tract, 15470 Kennedy Rd. in Whitchurch-Stouffville. Registration is required. It’s a simple way to spend an evening outdoors, explore one of York Region’s forests and learn a little more about the plants sharing our backyard — both the ones we want to protect and the ones we’d rather not see spreading. |
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Wish they would host one of these in King Township too. Porritt Tract is a bit of a drive for us but the topic is so relevant up here where we have a lot of forest property.
That's great feedback, and we appreciate you sharing it, the York Regional Forest spans a wide area, so it's always worth keeping an eye on the guided walk series for future events that might be closer to home.
Joanne_SSeconding this. King has so much forest and the invasive species problem up here is just as bad if not worse. Would love to see them bring this a bit further north.
Rain or shine is good to know. Last time I signed up for something outdoors it got cancelled the minute clouds showed up. Will be bringing my rain jacket just in case.
Exactly the right mindset, the walks go ahead rain or shine unless conditions become genuinely unsafe, so a rain jacket is always a smart call.
Gord T.Ha same experience here. Rain or shine gives me a lot more confidence to actually commit. I'll be packing the waterproof boots regardless.
If you go, keep an eye out for Japanese knotweed near any wet areas on the trail. Stuff is everywhere up there and it is brutal to remove once it gets established.
Wish they offered a daytime option too. 6pm on a weekday is tough for a lot of families who still have younger kids at home doing school pickup and dinner routines.
LEAF does really good work. Glad to see them involved with this. They have been doing forest education in the region for years and they actually know their stuff.
PatriciaOLTotally agree. I went to a LEAF tree planting event a few years back and the people leading it really knew their stuff. Not just reading off a pamphlet, actually answering questions on the spot.
Rain or shine is commitment. Respect that. Too many outdoor events get cancelled at the first sign of clouds.
Not sure a two hour walk is enough time to really cover this topic properly but I guess it is a good start for people who know nothing about invasive species.
Two hours is certainly an introduction rather than an exhaustive survey, but the goal is to give participants practical identification tips they can carry home and apply in their own yards and neighbourhoods.
mike from auroraTwo hours is actually pretty decent for a casual walk. You cover a lot of ground when someone who knows what they're looking at is pointing things out as you go. It's not meant to be a university course.
I live not far from Kennedy Rd and had no idea this forest was even there. Going to try to register. Is there parking at that address?
Love that they included kids 10 and up. My son is really into nature stuff right now and this is exactly the kind of thing I have been looking for to do with him on a weeknight.
Lisa_YRSame here! My daughter is 11 and obsessed with plants right now. A weeknight event is perfect because it doesn't eat up the whole weekend. Hope to see you both there!
That's exactly who this program is designed for, the 10-and-up age range was chosen to make it accessible for curious young naturalists, and staff from LEAF are great at making the topic engaging for all ages.
Garlic mustard has completely taken over the trail near my house in Stouffville. Hope they talk about that one specifically because it is everywhere and nobody seems to care.
Garlic mustard is indeed one of the most widespread invasive species in our local forests, so it would be hard to walk the Porritt Tract trails without it coming up, it's a perfect example of why this education matters.
Dave R.Garlic mustard is honestly everywhere up here. There are community pull events in spring if you ever want to do something about it between now and next season. Worth looking up.
LEAF does really solid work. Good to see them partnering on this. They know their stuff when it comes to local plant communities.
My daughter is 11 and loves this kind of thing. Glad they opened it to ages 10 and up. We'll try to get a spot for the August 19 one.
Cool idea but two evenings in August with limited spots isn't going to move the needle much. York Region has thousands of properties with dog strangling vine and nobody talks about that.
Porritt Tract is a great spot. Nice that they picked a location with actual variety in the understory. Should be easy to find good examples of both native and invasive stuff out there.
We did one of these walks last summer and it was genuinely eye opening. Had no idea how much garlic mustard had taken over parts of the trail. Highly recommend going if you have the chance.
Does anyone know if registration fills up fast? Asking because I want to bring my daughter but we might not be able to register until next week.
We'd encourage you to register as soon as you're able, as spots in the guided walk series do tend to fill up, better not to wait too long if you can help it!
Porritt Tract is such a great spot. Nice to see York Region actually using it for something like this instead of just leaving it sit there.
The Porritt Tract really is a beautiful setting for this kind of program, and pairing it with education about invasive species feels like a natural fit, glad you agree!
Trevor_WhitchurchAgreed, it's a beautiful tract and honestly underused. More events like this would be great. Most people don't even know it's there.
We did one of these guided walks last summer and it was really eye opening. Had no idea how many invasive plants were growing right in our own backyard. Definitely signing up for this one.
Sandra M.Good to know it's worth signing up for. Did they cover garlic mustard at all? That stuff seems to be taking over every trail around here.
That's wonderful to hear, and that moment of recognizing invasive plants in your own backyard is exactly the kind of takeaway these walks are designed to spark, so we hope to see you out there again!