In celebration of Island flora, biologist Kate MacQuarrie will be sharing her love of plants at Macphail Woods on Saturday, August 7. 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.

Over the past years, hundreds of people have taken part in the plant workshops at Macphail Woods and become more observant of the natural world around them. This walk will be an excellent opportunity to learn about common woodland flowers such as bunchberry and false lily-of-the-valley, as well as rarer wildflowers and our many non-flowering plants.

Kate has been a driving force behind the data collection for the upcoming Flora of Prince Edward Island, travelling the many different types of habitats across the Island looking for both rare and common plants. In her work with the Island Nature Trust and now as Director of Forests, Fish and Wildlife for the province, she has studied dune systems, bogs, old growth forests, and everything in between. This field work has given her an intimate knowledge of native and non-native plants.

There is no charge for the walk and no registration is necessary. Participants are advised to bring good walking shoes and clothing appropriate to the weather conditions. For more information, call 651-2575.

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.

Learning about native trees and shrubs

The public is invited to a workshop on native trees and shrubs sponsored by the Macphail Woods Ecological Forestry Project on Saturday, July 17. 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 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.

Just wanted to let everyone know that we had one of our best owl prowls ever last night (April 17). There were about 70 people out, lots of children, and the barred owls came in very quickly once we started calling. Two were right around us for about an hour, flying back and forth overhead across the road and giving great opportunities to see the birds up close.

Woodlands are wonderful places at all times of the year and the spring season is an especially beautiful time to get out and enjoy nature. The numbers of migratory birds continue to grow almost daily and there is lots of activity in the forest. In celebration of Earth Day, Thursday, April 22, staff of the Macphail Woods Ecological Forestry Project will be hosting a volunteer afternoon on the Macphail Homestead in Orwell.

Come celebrate the wonderful world of owls at the Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead in
Orwell on Saturday, April 17. The Sir Andrew Macphail Foundation will be opening up the
Great Room of the Homestead at 6:30pm and serve warm apple cider, tea and coffee. Visitors
can warm themselves by the fireplace and have a specially-baked Owl Cookie treat to

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.