York Regional Forest Walks and Events
Explore the York Regional Forest’s beauty for FREE! Sign up for our guided walks and events.
The best way to be notified about walks and events is to follow us on social @YorkRegionGovt on Facebook, X and Instagram
Want to stay current on broader Forestry related news and events? Sign up for our Greening e-Newsletter.
2024 Guided Walks & Events
York Regional Forest's guided walks and events are designed for various age groups, with a requirement that children under 16 be accompanied by an adult. Open to both local and non-local residents, registration for these activities begins one month in advance. While these events usually proceed rain or shine, extreme weather conditions may lead to cancellations. Registered participants will be notified of any changes through their provided contact details.
Community Tree Planting Event
Celebrate the York Regional Forest’s centennial with a family-friendly day of tree planting, gloves and shovels provided! This event is an opportunity to enjoy time with your loved ones and have a positive impact on our community and the planet. This year, in celebration of our 100th anniversary, each participant will receive a free tree seedling, grown from seeds collected in York Region, to plant at home and continue the legacy of growth.
Important to note, as the event site is still under development and not yet open to the public, there are no established walkways, paths or trails. With ongoing construction, the area may be muddy, so we advise wearing appropriate footwear and clothing. This location is only being used for our tree-planting event, offering a rare opportunity to see a new part of the York Regional Forest before it officially opens!
Saturday, May 11 (all ages)
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Centennial Tract
5028 Queensville Sideroad, East Gwillimbury
Green Up, Clean Up Day
Join us in partnership with the Regional Forest Advisory Team to collect litter and help keep our Forest clean.
Gloves, litter grabbers/tongs, bags, hand sanitizer and safety vests will be available for pick up at the Bill Fisch Forest Stewardship and Education Centre (BFFSEC) in Hollidge Tract at 16389 Highway 48 in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the day, or you may bring your own supplies.
Light refreshments will be provided from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and a group photo will be taken at 1 p.m.at the BFFSEC.
Saturday, May 18, 2024 (ages 16 and up)
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Various locations in and around the York Regional Forest
Roots and Routes: A Journey Through the York Regional Forest
Don't miss this opportunity to walk in the footsteps of history and nature intertwined. Join us as we partner with Forest History Ontario for an educational tour through a few of our York Regional Forest Tracts. Our journey begins at Eldred King Woodlands, where we'll dive into the rich history of the Forest, tracing steps from the time Indigenous Peoples began stewarding the land to the present day. From there, we’ll board a bus to Hollidge Tract, travel through diverse landscapes and engage in discussions about the crucial role forests play in our ecosystem and the incredible changes that have happened since the beginning of the York Regional Forest. After a relaxing Forest walk, a tour of the Bill Fisch Forest Stewardship and Education Centre and a quick washroom break, our adventure will end back at Eldred King Woodlands. The total tour is expected to run two hours.
Saturday, June 8 (ages 10 and up)
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Eldred King Woodlands
16232 Highway 48, Whitchurch-Stouffville
Registration opens May 8
Learn to Hike
Hosted in collaboration with the Oak Ridges Trail Association, this guided walk is designed for beginners eager to explore the natural beauty of the York Regional Forest’s trails. Gain valuable insights about hiking techniques, equipment and safety from seasoned experts. Whether you’re looking to connect with nature, improve fitness or find a new hobby, this informative session will prepare you for your adventures.
Saturday, June 22 (ages 10 and up)
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Hollidge Tract
16389 Highway 48, Whitchurch-Stouffville
Registration opens May 22
Please continue to check this page for any updates.
Discover Your Forest Kits
“Discover Your Forest” kits containing forest-related items and activities for families are available to York Region residents. These kits are offered on a first-come, first-served basis at local city or town libraries while supplies last. Residents are advised to contact their library for availability.
City/Town | Library |
---|---|
East Gwillimbury | Holland Landing Branch 19513 Yonge Street (905) 836-6492 Mount Albert Branch 19300 Centre Street (905) 473-2472 East Gwillimbury Sports Complex 1914B Mount Albert Road (905) 478-2241 |
Georgina | Keswick Branch 90 Wexford Drive (905) 476-5762 Peter Gzowski (Sutton) Branch 5279 Black River Road (905) 722-5702 Pefferlaw Brach 76 Pete’s Lane (705) 437-1514 |
King | Schomberg Branch 77 Main Street (905) 939-2102 |
Markham | Aaniin Branch 5665 14th Avenue (905) 513-7977 ext. 4470 Angus Glen Branch 3990 Major Mackenzie Drive (905) 513-7977 ext. 7100 Cornell Branch 3201 Bur Oak Avenue (905) 513-7977 ext. 3460 Markham Village Branch 6031 Highway 7 (905) 513-7977 ext. 4271 Milliken Mills Branch 7600 Kennedy Road, Unit 1 (905) 513-7977 ext. 5337 Thornhill Community Centre Branch 7755 Bayview Avenue (905) 513-7977 ext. 3521 Thornhill Village Branch 10 Colborne Street (905) 513-7977 ext. 3481 Unionville Branch 15 Library Lane (905) 513-7977 ext. 5517 |
Newmarket | Newmarket Public Library 438 Park Avenue (905) 953-5110 |
Richmond Hill | Central Branch 1 Atkinson Steet (905) 884-9288 Oak Ridges Branch 34 Regatta Avenue (905) 773-5533 Richmond Green Branch 1 William F. Bell Parkway (905) 780-0711 Richvale Branch 40 Pearson Avenue (905) 889-2847 |
Vaughan | Bathurst Clark Resource Library 900 Clark Avenue West (905) 653-READ (7323) Civic Centre Resource Library 2191 Major Mackenzie Drive (905) 653-READ (7323) Pierre Berton Resource Library 4921 Rutherford Road (905) 653-READ (7323) |
Whitchurch-Stouffville | Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library 2 Park Drive (905) 642-7323 |
Greening e-Newsletter
Discover the latest in forestry and environmental stewardship with York Region’s Greening e-Newsletter. Packed with current news and events, it’s your go-to source for all things green in York Region.
Current edition
03/20/2024 - Spring is finally here!
Past editions
12/12/2023 - Celebrating winter in the Forest
09/21/2023 - Fall into Forest Adventures!
07/06/2023 - Every summer has a story!
03/24/2023 - Welcome Back Spring!
Nature Activities
Looking for more forest fun? Download these activities:
- Build a Bark Quilt, Focus on Forests resources, True Colours, Tree Wheel activity sheet or Tree Bee identification tool by Forests Ontario
- Bat box plans, bookmark and origami activity by the Toronto Zoo
- Nature Activity, Wreck This Nature Journal or Gratitude checklist by Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority
- Nature Hunt by Eco-Spark
- Sound Map Activity by Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests
Check out York Region’s Partner Events and Resources:
- Evergreen
- Forests Ontario
- Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA)
- Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests (LEAF)
- Oak Ridges Trail Association
- Ontario Streams
- Rouge National Urban Park
- York Region Food Network
The York Regional Forest is Celebrating 100 Years
This year the York Regional Forest turns 100! Celebrate its growing legacy and discover all it has to offer with free activities and events for all to enjoy.