In light of the growing interest in native plants across Prince Edward Island, the Macphail Woods Ecological Forestry Project will be hosting a new workshop on native plant propagation on Saturday, September 12. The workshop begins at 10am at the nursery on the Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead in Orwell.

With fish dying in streams and high nitrate levels in our water becoming regular events, Islanders will have a chance to learn more about improving the health of our waterways. On Saturday, August 22, Rob Sharkie will lead a workshop on Improving Riparian Zones at the Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead in Orwell.

In celebration of Island flora, biologist Kate MacQuarrie will be sharing her love of plants at Macphail Woods on Saturday, August 8. Kate will be walking the nature trails of the Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead in Orwell, starting at 10 am at the nursery. She will point out common and uncommon species of flowering and non-flowering plants. Wildflowers, ferns, club mosses, shrubs - all these and more will be part of the discussion and identification.

Are you looking for alternatives to clear-cuts and plantations? Do you want other ideas on how to improve your woodland? This weekend’s walk at the Macphail Woods Ecological Forestry Project will help answer many of your questions. On Sunday, August 2, Gary Schneider will host a “Forest Restoration” slide show and walk on the grounds of the Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead in Orwell. Activities begin at 2pm in the Nature Centre.

The public is invited to a workshop on native trees and shrubs sponsored by the Macphail Woods Ecological Forestry Project on Saturday, July 18. Led by forest technician Ruth Richman, the workshop will focus on all things related to native woody plants. It begins at 10am at the nursery on the Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead in Orwell.

The Macphail Woods Ecological Forestry Project will be conducting a workshop on pruning trees and shrubs Sunday, July 12 at the Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead in Orwell. The workshop will be of interest to all those who work with woody plants. Proper pruning maintains and improves the health and value of plants, whether in a commercial forest, a watershed, a private woodlot or just around your home.

The Macphail Woods Ecological Forestry Project will be treating visitors to another walk on the wild side. This time it will be a look at some common and not-so-common medicinal plants that grow in Island fields, forests and homesteads, from St. John's wort and dandelion to comfrey and goldthread. Margie Loo, of Elderflower Organic Farm, will lead the tour that takes place at the Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead in Orwell on Sunday, June 28.

The use of native plants to improve wildlife habitat, beautify yards and reduce the size of lawns is attracting increasing attention across the country. The wide variety of native trees, shrubs, wildflowers and ferns can be combined to create everything from wild areas to formal hedges. On Saturday, June 20, a workshop on Native Plant Landscaping will be held at the Macphail Homestead in Orwell.

With many of our native wildflowers in full bloom and breeding birds in their most striking plumage, early June is a great time to take nature photographs. Beth Hoar, a photographer who operates Green Thumb Photo, will be sharing her talents and tips on Sunday, June 7 at the Macphail Woods Nature Centre in Orwell.

Island woodlands are alive with birds and their songs. While year-round avian residents such as juncos are already raising their young, many migrants are just now building their nests and singing up a storm. All in all, it is a great time for a walk in the woods.