2025 Event Line-up Preview
February 22 & February 23 - FREE Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area Tours - discover the Winter Wonders of Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area.
March 8 - FREE - Telescopes for Beginners - a complete guide to choosing and using a first telescope to discover the mysteries and treasures of the universe.
May 8 - FREE 2025 Annual General Meeting - virtual AGM followed by a special guest presentation by Luke Ridgway, Conservation Manager at The Ontario Conservation Accelerator.
May 10 - FREE Wildflower Walk - discover the spring beauty of Monarch Point Conservation Reserve with SSJI volunteers.
June 7 - FREE South Shore Fest - all ages education, walks and much more at Mariner’s Park Museum in Milford and the South Shore.
August 16 - Jazz, Wine & Art - enjoy a PEC Jazz Festival event featuring Exultet Estates wine and a popular silent auction at Mount Tabor Shed in Milford.
September 27 - Oktoberfest (stay tuned for details) - join us for live music, local beer and authentic cuisine at Mount Tabor Shed in Milford.
EVENT SPOTLIGHT
Discover the Winter Wonders of Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area
Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area (PEP-NWA) is one of only 10 NWA across Canada open to the public, and it is open year-round. This winter, take a peaceful walk and enjoy stunning views. The quiet atmosphere is perfect for spotting wildlife in their natural habitats. Wander through hardwood forests, cliffs, scrub, and grasslands, and keep an eye out for deer, grouse, weasels, raccoons, turkeys, coyotes, rabbits, mink, beavers, long-tailed ducks, and other waterfowl. Winter birds like chickadees, woodpeckers, jays, and juncos are also plentiful and easy to spot. The views are spectacular, the wildlife is abundant, and the peace and quiet are just what you need to start the new year.
Book your tour date, and the tour coordinator will get back to you with details. You can even get a free ride from Picton, Bloomfield and Wellington.
Pick Your Date & RSVP for Your Tour Here
Calling All Nature Enthusiasts!
We need your help to capture the beauty of the red oak tree at Point Petre! Share your high-resolution photos with us, and your photos could be featured on our website, educational materials, and newsletters. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your photography skills and contribute to our community.
Submit your photos today and be part of something special!
EMAIL [email protected] with your photos.
Donate & Become an SSJI Member Today!
Exploring Winter Wildlife Wonders with the Wild Thing Team
The Wild Thing team, led by outdoor educator Cheryl Chapman has enjoyed this snowy winter. The 2025 winter program is based on identifying animal tracks. In the classroom students have learned about the wild animals in our County. Each species has not only unique paw prints, but also unique gait and footprint shape. Students make a small booklet of footprint shapes using rubber stamps and ink. Stamps for species as varied as the tiny field mouse and the much larger coyote are available for the students to use. Students can use their booklet in identifying species at home by looking at footprints in the snow.
The classes are bused to the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area to have a walk in Traverse Woods and identify animal footprints in the snow. Classes from Sophiasburgh and Kente public schools have enjoyed this activity. One student exclaimed "I can't believe all the tracks. I thought the animals were all sleeping in the winter." The program is partially funded by a grant from Nature Canada’s NatureHood program.
Family Day at the Wellington Area presented another opportunity to encourage children to get outdoors and learn about the County’s wild animals. Forty young people and their parents came to the SSJI craft tables to see and touch the skins of a bear, skunk, red fox, fisher, rabbit and coyote. They learned about the different hairs making up an animal’s furry coat and why different animals have different kinds of fur. Children then used the footprint stamps to make their own booklet of footprints. Coyote and fox, deer and rabbit footprints marched across the pages as children stamped and exclaimed about seeing the footprints in their backyard.
South Shore Joint Initiative’s Wild Thing outdoor education programs are funded by a Prince Edward County Municipal grant.
We are grateful to SSJI’s volunteers, who are integral to the success of every program.
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