Rooted in Resilience

Hope Grows

Thursday October 22 to Sunday October 25, 2026

Join us for a restorative experience at the Canadian Ecology Centre as we celebrate National Take Me Outside Week and the theme of “Hope Grows”.  This retreat blends science, nature connection, and land-based healing, giving us time to slow down, learn from the natural world and honour the land as it prepares for winter.

Schedule
3

EVENT DETAILS 

Citizen science days
Thurs Oct 22nd & Fri Oct 23rd
(10am to 4pm)

We need your help!  Everyone is welcome to attend on either or both days (Free of Charge)

  • Participate in Citizen Science – real and meaningful data collection
  • Help measure trees (new growth and trees still standing from the storm) in newly created citizen science research plots in and around the CEC property
  • Idenfity and record species (ie. plants, trees, birds, etc…)
  • Photo documentation
  • No Experience Needed! Staff and experts will be on hand to help 🙂
  • An opportunity to give back and help document how the land is renewing following the June 2025 downburst storm
  • Attend for as little as 1 hour or stay as long as you are able.
  • Please email laura@canadianecology.ca if you are able to help
Weekend retreat

A full weekend to participate in workshops, science presentations, eco-grief support and so much more.  Children are welcome but program is most suitable for ages 12 and up.
  • Weekend is FREE with your cabin rental! 
  • Guest experts, professionals and community supporters
  • Explore the natural world through observation, discovery, and hands-on learning and presentations
  • Build a deeper relationship with the land through intentional time outdoors
  • Saturday afternoon only option ($30/person) – for those unable to attend all weekend (charitable tax receipt provided)
  • All event proceeds support the CEC’s Educational Foundation
  • Meals may be provided based on expressed interest during registration

The CEC invites you to join us for our first Rooted in Resilience Retreat – “Hope Grows” to honour the land before it slumbers for a winter of rest.  It will be a time to remember, support renewal and healing, as well as celebrate resiliency – “From the Storm We Grow”

Cabin Stay

Reserve a cabin at a reduced weekend rate for $200/weekend (2 night stay) + HST 
  • Free retreat events for all cabin guests from Friday to Sunday.
  • Includes a $100 charitable tax receipt.   
  • A limited amount of pet-friendly cabins are available.
  • Children are welcome! 
  • Add-on Wed and/or Thurs night is available to any weekend stay (inquire during registration)
Register Here!
Event Poster

BOOKING and CANCELLATION

  • Event registration closes on Wed October 21st or until capacity reached.
  • Cabin reservation fees and Saturday afternoon passes are non-refundable as charitable tax receipts are issued upon booking

EVENT SCHEDULE OVERVIEW

Schedule will be updated as event times and names of additional guests are confirmed

 

CITIZEN SCIENCE - THURSDAY/FRIDAY (Oct 22/23)

10:00am – 4:00pm daily

Please email laura@canadianecology.ca if you would like to help

  • Attend for as little as 1 hour or stay as long as you are able
  • Rain or Shine.  Come prepared to be outside.  Expect uneven terrain if taking part in field data.
  • Less physical tasks can be supported.
  • No experience necessary!

FRIDAY RETREAT ACTIVITIES (Oct 23)

  • Check-in to your cabin anytime after 3pm
  • Come early and participate in citizen science

7:00pm: Welcome Ceremony “Hope Grows” 

Campfire social to follow – Welcome and Introductions

SATURDAY RETREAT ACTIVITIES (Oct 24)

Science Presentations during weekend (Times/Speakers still TBD)

  • Forestry 101 – understanding forest science.
  • What is extreme weather and why is happening more often?
  • Planning for a changing climate

Morning Activities (Cabin Guests Only) 

9:30am (1.5 hr):  Explore how Eco-grief and Eco-anxiety can be supported by nature with a guided nature connection walk (Guest: Andrea Prazmowski – )

11:00am (1.5 hr):  Are You Ready? – Are You Ready (AYR) is a multi step mental and physical call to action.  Mental preparedness is the precursor to building resiliency before a natural event occurs. There are many resources and therapy procedures (for self and others) as documented after an event occurs. Very little literature is available for psychological and mental preparedness before an event occurs.  Participants will learn, and go through a planning AYR exercise. (Guest: Nazneen Mehdi and Bill Steer)

Afternoon (1pm to 4pm) – Open to Cabin and Saturday Pass Holders

Take part in a variety of activities in the afternoon 

  • Guided medicine walk with Tim Yearington
  • Chat with experts on flora, fauna, geology, forest reclamation and land-based learning (Guests: TBD)
  • Arts/Crafts and creations from the land
  • Self-guided Forest Invitations to draw connections to our natural world
  • Plant a tree and participate in citizen science

4:00pm – Sharing and Healing Circle (Cabin Guests Only)

Gather together for an opportunity to share and explore how we can all make a difference environmental in a changing climate.  We are resilient, hope grows! (Lead by CEC Staff – Laura, and Andrea)

Evening Activities (Cabin Guests Only)

7:00pm: Campfire Songs and Stories with Guest: John Pineau! – Songs of stories/legends past to get you singing along!

Stargazing and wolf howl.  Let’s celebrate the beauty of the night!

SUNDAY RETREAT ACTIVITIES (Oct 25)

8:00 am:  Optional sunrise walk at the Labyrinth

10:00am:  Join the Mattawa Women’s Shadow Drummer Group in a ceremony of songs and drumming to bid the land a season of rest as the winter season approaches.

Enjoy some tasty treats from the forest in celebration of resilience and hope for future growth.

LAURA KIELPINSKI
Event host and Organizer

Laura works full time as the Director of Education and Operations for the Canadian Ecology Centre (CEC) and is a qualified teacher as well.  She is trained as a certified Forest Therapy Guide with ANFT (Association of Nature and Forest Therapy), as well as certifications in SFA/CPR, GPS and Wilderness First Responder.

Her passions and interests include sharing her love of the natural world with all those around her and helping others to find comfort and enjoyment from spending time in the outdoors. She enjoys being active in a variety of outdoor activities (mountain biking, running, canoeing, hiking, and cross country skiing) with her friends, family and two children.

Laura strongly believes in the power of community and building relationships will all the guests and clients who visit the CEC.

WAYNE REID – Retired Forester
Wayne has worked for 40 years in Forestry in Ontario, with a dedicated 25yrs in Forest Science, Growth and Yield with MNR, as well as 15 yrs as an Area Tech for the North Bay District.  He has shared his experience and knowledge as Professor in Dendrology and Remote Sensing for Algonquin College.
Wayne is equally as dedicated to his community as he was to his profession.  He supports the local foodbank, shares his knowledge with local school/youth groups, helps at Santa’s workshop at the North Pole and …has given out tree seedlings and saplings through his annual Green Side Up Program since 1984, planting well over 1/2 million trees!
As a long time CEC volunteer and Guest, Wayne has worked with our many school groups, summer credit course and teachers since the CEC’s inception.
Andrea Prazmowski
Forest Therapy Guide

Andrea Prazmowski is Ottawa’s first Certified Nature & Forest Therapy Guide. She earned her certification in 2017 with the Association of Nature & Forest Therapy (ANFT) and has served as a mentor and trainer with ANFT. She has a journalism degree and has worked as a freelance writer and editor as well as facilitating learning groups and community partnerships of various kinds for more than 25 years. Andrea has certification as a Hike Leader (Hike Ontario), in Wilderness First Aid, Permaculture Design, Reiki and Healing Pathway. She also facilitates a regenerative practice called The Work That Reconnects and recently piloted a “Forest Church” project in Ottawa.

NAZNEEN MEHDI

As a regiseterd nurse and nurse-psychotherapist, Nazneen has over 25 years of experience providing skilled mental-health counseling and health education for individuals and groups and has worked in many remote communities.  Her varied  experiences, unique perspectives and interest in traditional ways of healing guide her passions.  

BILL STEER

Bill is the founder of the Canadian Ecology Centre concept.  He is a longtime environmental and outdoor educator.  Through the lens of risk management he developed the School Trip Preparedness planning approach for school trips.  In social media he is known as “Back Roads Bill.”

TIM YEARINGTON

Tim is a Métis from North Bay, Ontario.  He has been inspiring people for many years with all of his wilderness artwork, his enlightening books, his powerful storytelling and his guided walks.

www.timyearington.com 

JANE LAGASSIE

As a traditional knowledge holder, Jane will be available to share the Indigenous archaeological and cultural heritage of the Mattawa valley, helping us connect to this land.

MATTAWA SHADOW DRUMMERS

A local Indigenous women’s drumming and singing group known for sharing traditional and contemporary First Nation music, songs, and cultural ceremonies in the Nipissing and Mattawa regions

JOHN PINEAU

John is the former ED of the Ontario Woodlot Association (2020-2025) and a Biologist.  John teaches part-time with the Forestry Technician Program at Algonquin College in Pembroke.  John has been a constant supporter and presence with the CEC since the beginning, offering and sharing his knowledge and passion for forest science.  

More Guest Bio’s coming soon!