Outdoor Education

Residents walking through the York Regional Forest

York Region offers a number of outdoor education programs designed for clubs, community groups and schools to connect people with nature and inspire action.

Author James Raffan once said, “Learning about nature is no substitute for learning in nature.”

Bill Fisch Forest Stewardship and Education Centre

The Bill Fisch Forest Stewardship and Education Centre is located in the Hollidge Tract in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville. It features a classroom and a boardroom which are used for many York Region programs such as guided forest walks and Nature’s Classroom.

Bill Fisch Forest Stewardship and Education Centre is not accepting bookings until further notice

Facility Benefits

This unique and inspirational building, the Bill Fisch Forest Stewardship and Education Centre, is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Platinum certified and in 2018 became the first in Canada and twenty-first building worldwide to successfully become Living Certified under the Living Building Challenge. The Living Building Challenge is a program of the International Living Future Institute and is comprised of seven performance areas; site, water, energy, health, materials, equity and beauty. Some of the innovative features of the building include:

  • All wood construction including cross-laminated timbers
  • All new wood material used in the building is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified
  • Through the use of solar panels, LED light fixtures, heat pumps, radiant heating and triple-glazed windows, the building will generate more energy than it uses
  • The building’s canopy gathers rain water and snow melt to service bathroom facilities
  • All of the water used comes from the site and is treated and discharged on-site, resulting in net-zero water use
  • Much of the building materials were sourced from local manufacturers to reduce carbon emissions
Envirothon
Envirothon

What is York Region Envirothon? 

York Region Envirothon is an interactive, hands-on, outdoor environmental education program for youth in grades 9 to 12 and is part of Ontario Envirothon (led by Forests Canada) and Envirothon (led by the National Conservation Foundation).   

The 2025 York Region Envirothon will be a one-day event on Tuesday, April 29 from 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bruce’s Mill Conservation Area in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville. This year’s theme is Roots and Resiliency: Fostering Forest Stewardship.

Registration is now closed. 

Is there a cost to participate?

The cost is $250 + HST. A $75 subsidy from Forests Canada will automatically be applied to all registered York Region teams. Subsidies are also available for schools from publicly-funded school boards; to inquire contact: 

Who can participate?    

Ontario students enrolled in grades 9 through 12 in public, private and home schools, or community organizations such as 4-H clubs and outdoor or environmental clubs are invited to participate.

  • Teachers or leaders can register one team of five students per school/community group
  • Once registration is filled, team requests will be put on a waitlist
  • Teams must have adult supervision at the event
  • York Region will assist with transportation costs for each team 

What is the format of the 2025 York Region Envirothon? 

Tuesday, April 29: Bruce’s Mill Conservation Area 

In the morning students will rotate through eco-stations, learning practical, hands-on, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills on topics including soils, aquatics, wildlife and forestry. Each station is run by natural resource professionals.

After lunch teams will apply their newly-acquired knowledge and skills by completing a test. The day will wrap up with a brainstorming challenge about fostering forest stewardship to help generate ideas for team presentations.

Before departing teams will receive their presentation topic and instructions on how to record and submit their work. 

Tuesday, May 6: Presentation Submission  

Following the in-person event teams will have until Tuesday, May 6, 2025 to create and submit their presentation. 

When will winners be announced?

Winners will be announced by Tuesday, May 13, 2025. The 2025 York Region Envirothon winning team will receive a commemorative plaque and the chance to compete in Ontario Envirothon at the University of Waterloo May 25 to 28, 2025.

All participants and teachers/group leaders will receive a package of giveaways.    

Free Study Guides and Webinars – Great for any Classroom  

Study Guides and webinars are available to help prepare students for York Region Envirothon and Ontario Envirothon. They can also be used by teachers for high school lessons to introduce key ecological concepts like soil profiles, wildlife identification, forest management and water quality assessment.

Partners    

The York Region Envirothon is held in partnership with Forests Canada - Ontario Envirothon, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust, the York Region District School Board and the York Catholic District School Board.

Resources

Forest Walks and Events

Joining a guided walk or participating in an event is a great way to learn about the Forest. Or if you would like to explore the Forest on your own, download some Nature Activities. Learn more at york.ca/ForestEvents

Nature's Classroom

Please be advised that the Nature's Classroom program is currently on hold. The best way to be notified about updates is to follow us on social @YorkRegionGovt on Facebook, X and Instagram

Tree Bee

green background with words saying What's All The Buzz About Trees?

WE HAVE A WINNER!

A special shout out to Glen Shields Public School in the City of Vaughan for placing first in the 2024 York Region Tree Bee competition. Congratulations also to Beckett Farm Public School in the City of Markham and St. Jerome Catholic Elementary School in the Town of Aurora for tying for second, and Milliken Mills Public School in the City of Markham and St. Brendan Catholic Elementary School in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville tying for third. 

Forests Canada’s York Region Tree Bee is designed to spark curiosity among students aged 9 to 12, and nurture their passion for learning about trees, forests and the environment. Visit Forests Canada Tree Bee for more information. 

If you’re interested in participating in the 2025 York Tree Bee follow us on social @YorkRegionGovt on Facebook, X and Instagram for details.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tree Bee?
Tree Bee is a free, web friendly tool which introduces users to trees in their backyards and communities. Through online resources, schools, families and budding forest enthusiasts are empowered to head outdoors and become familiar with local trees. In York Region Tree Bee also includes a friendly tree identification and forest awareness competition for students in Grades 4, 5 and 6.

Who is eligible to participate in the York Region Tree Bee?
Students in Grades 4, 5 and 6 (ages 9 to 12) are eligible to participate in the York Region Tree Bee. Participants must either live in York Region, or belong to a school, community group or club located in York Region.  

Why should I register my class for Tree Bee?
Tree Bee is a free, interdisciplinary program that can enrich any subject! Whether you are teaching history, math, music, science or even physical education, our Tree Bee resources can help you to engage your students in impactful, place-based learning while meeting Ontario curriculum expectations.  

When will the 2025 York Region Tree Bee take place? 
The 2025 York Region Tree Bee will take place in fall. The best way to be notified about the 2025 York Region Tree Bee is by following @yorkregiongovt on Facebook, X or Instagram. 

Who can I contact for more information?
Please email Forests Canada at education@forestscanada.ca with any additional questions. 

Volunteer Stewardship Opportunities

York Region partners with Ontario Streams to support the restoration of forest cover and habitats around local streams. Community and school groups can participate in activities like:

  • Tree and shrub planting
  • Litter clean-up
  • Classroom visits (upon request)

Volunteer hours count toward the Ministry of Education’s secondary school community service requirements.

Ontario Streams provides:

  • Planting and restoration guidance
  • Trees, shrubs, gloves and shovels
  • On-site safety instructions for working near roads, water and uneven ground

Group responsibilities:

  • Wear weather-appropriate clothing and footwear
  • Group leaders are responsible for participant organization and safety standards

Cost

This program is free. If transportation is required for community or school groups, York Region may subsidize the cost, provided it’s noted in the comment section of the application form.

Registration

Planting takes place during the following seasons:

  • Spring: April to June
  • Fall: September to October  

For more information and to register, visit Ontario Streams – Community Group Tree Planting Opportunities  

Related Resources