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.
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
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 Mount Albert Branch |
Georgina | Keswick Branch Peter Gzowski (Sutton) Branch Pefferlaw Brach |
King | Schomberg Branch |
Markham | Aaniin Branch Angus Glen Branch Cornell Branch Markham Village Branch Milliken Mills Branch Thornhill Community Centre Branch Thornhill Village Branch Unionville Branch |
Newmarket | Newmarket Public Library |
Richmond Hill | Central Branch Oak Ridges Branch Richmond Green Branch Richvale Branch |
Vaughan | Bathurst Clark Resource Library Civic Centre Resource Library Pierre Berton Resource Library Ansley Grove Library Dufferin Clark Library Kleinburg Library North Mackenzie Health Vaughan Library Maple Library Pleasant Ridge Library Vellore Village Library VMC Library |
Whitchurch-Stouffville | Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library |
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.