For more information or to book a presentation contact Liz Benneian, Manager, Environmental Education by email at ontariogreenCA@gmail.com or phone her at 905-562-3819.
Ontariogreen Conservation Association’s Environmental Science Programs
For Grades K to 8
Science (S), Social Studies (SS) or Geography (G) curricula.
Kindergarten — Terrific Trees — 20 minutes — this presentation introduces students to some interesting native trees they can find in their community and talks about the important role trees play in our urban environment.
Kindergarten — What's Bugging The Trees? — 20 minutes — A look at some of the insect pests that are causing problems for our trees and what we can do about them.
Grade 1 — The Power Of One: What You Can Do To Save the Planet — 20 minutes
(S) Understanding Matter and Energy: Energy in Our Lives
Grade 1 — Global Warming: What You Can Do To Make A Difference — 20 minutes
(S) Understanding Matter and Energy: Energy in Our Lives
Grade 1— Zero Waste: Cleaning Up Our Planet — 20 minutes
(S) Understanding Matter and Energy: Energy In Our Lives
Grade 1 — When The Forest Falls Asleep: a lyrical tale of how plants and animals prepare for winter — 20 minutes
(S) Understanding Earth and Space Systems
Grade 2 — Beneficial Bugs: A look at the Critical Importance of Nature’s Smallest Creatures — 40 minutes
(S) Understanding Life Systems: Growth and Changes in Animals
Grade 2 — Birds: Our Only Surviving Dinosaurs — 40 minutes
(S) Understanding Life Systems: Growth and Changes in Animals
Grade 2 — Urban Animals Large and Small — 40 minutes
(S) Understanding Life Systems: Growth and Changes in Animals
Grade 2 — Water — 40 minutes
(S) Understanding Matter and Energy Properties of Liquids and Solids
Grade 3 — Pretty Amazing Plants: Good Things (& a Few Bad Things) That Are Growing All Around Us — 40 minutes
(S) Understanding Life Systems: Growth and Changes In Plantsyour paragraph here.
Grade 3 — Soil: The Dirt On The EcoSystem Beneath Our Feet — 40 minutes
(S) Understanding Life Systems: Growth and Changes In Plants
Grade 4 — No Place Like Home: Local Habitats, The Creatures That Live There & The Threats They Face — 40 minutes
(S) Understanding Life Systems: Habitats and Communities
Grade 4 — Wetlands — Ontario’s most productive ecosystems — 40 minutes
(S) Understanding Life Systems: Habitats and Communities
Grade 4 — A Living Legacy: How Plants are Used by Ontario’s First Nations — 40 minutes (S) Understanding Life Systems: Habitats and Communities
Grade 4 — Good To Grow: How vegetable gardening helps you and the planet — 40 minutes (S) Understanding Life Systems: Habitats and Communities
Grade 5 — Global Warming — Causes, Impacts and Adaptations For Ontario — 40 minutes (S) Understanding Earth and Space Systems and Conservation of Energy and Resources
Grade 5 — Zero Waste — Setting a Goal To Clean Up The Planet — 40 minutes
(S) Understanding Earth and Space Systems and Conservation of Energy and Resources (SS) People and Environments: The role of governments and Responsible Citizenship
Grade 6 — Bright Ideas: Energy Saving/Creating Ideas From Around the World — 40 minutes
(S) Understanding Matter and Energy: Electricity and Electrical Devices
Grade 6 — Restoring Nature: Naturalizing Urban Areas For A Healthier Environment — 60 minutes
(S) Understanding Life Systems: Biodiversity
Grade 7 — Transportation and the Future of Cars — 60 to 70 minutes — Interactive component
(S) Understanding Life Systems and Interactions in the Environment
(G) Physical Patterns in a Changing World and Natural Resources Around the World: Use and Sustainability
Grade 7 and Grade 8 — Sustainable Cities — Creating Resilient Urban Ecosystems — 60 minutes & Grade 8
(S) Understanding Life Systems and Interactions in the Environment
(G) Physical Patterns in a Changing World and Natural Resources Around the World: Use and Sustainability
Grade 8 — Managing Waste: Is Our Current System Working and What Are The Alternatives? — 60 to 70 minutes
(G) Global Settlement: Patterns and Sustainability
Grade 8 — Essential Element: Protecting Our Water Sources — 60 to 70 minutes
(G) Understanding Earth and Space Systems: Water Systems
Grade 8 — Improving Biodiversity: Why The Web Of Life Is A Safety Net — 60 to 70 minutes
(G) Understanding Earth and Space Systems: Water Systems
Presentations Suitable For Multiple Grades
Top 10 Things You Can Do For The Planet — 20 to 30 minutes. Separate presentations for Grades K to 3 and 4 to 8.
Living With Coyotes — 40 minutes. Based on expert advice, this presentation explores all aspects of this intelligent and very adaptive animal while also teaching students what to do if they encounter a coyote. It is suitable for all ages though we suggest the presentation be given separately to Grades K to 3 and 4 to 8.
A Change For the Better: Stories of Conservation Success — 20 minutes
Presentations for Grades 4 to 8
The Trumpeters’ Tale: The amazing conservation success story of Ontario’s Trumpeter Swans — 45 minutes
Advocacy and Action — Community Leadership On The Issues That Matter: In 2003, when Liz Benneian was editor of a community newspaper in Oakville, she didn’t realize that a complaint about trees being taken down in parks and ravines, and not being replanted, would change her life. Two years later she was the president of a citizens’ organization that took on the pesticide industry, the development industry, the incinerator industry, and the local political establishment, and won. She would go on to help more than 30 different groups around Ontario get organized to win their own battles. In 2008, feeling a bit battle worn, Liz and her family decided to relocate to a quieter life in Niagara. Little did they know that her work was only just beginning.
Bring Nature Back: A look at three naturalization projects: two public parks, and one private homeowner property. What it took from start to finish to design, plant, tend and restore. Hear how the partnerships between community groups, Ontariogreen and the municipalities worked. See how the expertise of hired experts was blended with the dedication of volunteers created beautiful results and learn how a lawn that only hosted robins, became a biodiverse yard/garden/meadow/forest that now hosts everything from fox to bald eagles.
Creating A Healthy Urban Forest: Trees in our urban areas face an immense number of challenges but communities can adopt policies and practices that protect and enhance our urban forests so we can all enjoy the benefits of cleaner air and water, flood mitigation, cooling shade that our trees provide. With infill development in our existing Town ramping up, it more important now that ever to get the right policies in place. Learn more about best practices from around Ontario at this presentation. Presentation by Liz Benneian, Executive Director, Ontariogreen Conservation Association and chair, Biodiversity and Climate Action Niagara
Designing for Biodiversity: This presentation provides tips for increasing the biodiversity of your garden, even in small spaces, to make it a welcoming space for nature. From plant choices to habitat structures, from water features to vertical layering, all aspects of garden design are explored.
Edible Native Garden: Designing for Your Table and Biodiversity. The presentation takes a look at native plants, from trees and shrubs to flowers and ferns, that can be made into a variety of dishes and accompaniments to add variety to your cooking endeavours. Also provided, tips on growing a food forest and where to find native plants. Recipes available.
The Greenbelt: The Greenbelt has become a source of public interest and controversy over the past few years buy it remains popular with people, and a strong protector of farming and nature in the Greater Golden Horseshoe and beyond. What is it? Why was it created? What does it protect? And what does it provide to Ontario's economy? This presentation answers those questions as well as introduces you to the area's unique geographical areas and amazing biodiversity.
Greening Our Communities: As our cities grow and densify, it has never been more important to provide people a little breathing room and to find opportunities to allow nature to flourish in our cities. This presentation takes a look at how we can animate our urban spaces by creating the policies and practices that bring nature back.
Living With Coyotes — 40 minutes. Based on expert advice, this presentation explores all aspects of this intelligent and very adaptive animal while also teaching what to do if you encounter a coyote. Native Garden Projects
Native Trees and Shrubs: Gardeners are becoming more aware of the importance of including native plants that support local biodiversity to their yards and gardens. This presentation explores some of the native trees and shrubs you might want to consider adding to your space, including fascinating details about their characterisitcs and the way they support native species.
Plants for Pollinators: Love to see hummingbirds, hear the bees buzzing and watch the butterflies feed on your flowers? This presentation is for you! It explores a variety of native flowers, from those who thrive in the shade to those who love the sun, that would love to make their home in your garden. A list of native plant source is also included.
Tips For Tree Keepers: How to have the healthiest, happiest trees and shrubs in your yard, with tips on planting practices, species selection, care and maintenance and selecting for biodiversity value. Learn about seed collection and also see how placing the right tree in the right spot, could save you money. Presentation by Liz Benneian, Executive Director, Ontariogreen Conservation Association and chair, Climate Action and Biodiversity Niagara
Trumpeter Swans — An amazing story of conservation success. How the largest swan in the world, native only to North America, was brought back from the brink of extinction by a dedicated group of volunteers.
School Programs
Ontariogreen Conservation Association has engaging, free, presentations based on the Ontario Science, Social Studies and Geography curricula, to complement your course work or to contribute to your ECO School Certification. As well, we can help schools with schoolyard naturalization and planning outdoor classrooms (for more information please click the Naturalization button on the home page).
Below is a list of presentations that are offered by Ontariogreen.
Given appropriate lead time, other presentations can be developed upon request. We have noted where these programs fit into the Ontario curricula.
Presentations for teachers and community groups are also available.
Presentations for Adults
Students from St. Andrew Catholic School in Oakville and environmental educator Heather Allsop.