The Arboretum is, of course, a facility of McGill University and so features heavily in many undergraduate and postgraduate courses in wildlife biology, botany, forestry, geography etc. details of these courses can be found on the appropriate faculty pages of the McGill website.
In addition, educational opportunities are offered to schools, colleges and members of the public.
School Groups:
Guided Tours
The Morgan Arboretum offers 2 educational programs to local school groups during the year. Reservations are required- please call 514.398.7811.
MARCH- Maple Syrup Production
Come visit the Arboretum’s fully operational sugar shack and learn how maple syrup is made- from tree to can, and how the Arboretum manages it’s sugar bush in a sustainable way. The program also includes taffy on snow!
- 1.5- 2 hour tours are offered in French and English, and are adapted for children of all ages.
- Detailed program descriptions and teacher packages available.
- Limited lunch facilities available- if desired, please mention upon booking as space is limited.
- Cost: $5/child; $5/adult (1 adult free/ 10 children) includes entrance to Arboretum, tour, and taffy on snow
MAY- Biodiversity and Conservation at the Arboretum
Come and explore the different ecosystems at the Arboretum this Spring. Children will experience wetland, forest and open field ecosystems while learning the basic concepts of nature appreciation, biodiversity, population dynamics, dichotomous keys, and more. Material is presented using hands-on, age appropriate activities.
- 2 hour tours are offered in French and English, and are adapted for children of all ages.
- Detailed program descriptions and teacher packages available.
- Limited lunch facilities available- if desired, please mention upon booking as space is limited.
- Cost: $4/child; $4/adult (1 adult free/ 10 children) includes entrance to Arboretum and tour
Self-Guided Tours
Educators are encouraged to conduct self-guided tours of the Arboretum at any time of the year.
- Please contact the Arboretum in advance for reservations and assistance in planning your tour.
- Limited lunch facilities available- if desired, please mention upon booking as space is limited.
- Cost for groups: $1.50/child; $3.50/adult; $2.00/senior (65 yrs+) includes entrance to Arboretum
Scouts Canada
Scouts/Guides Canada leaders (Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Venturers, and Rovers) are encouraged to contact us.
- Please contact the Arboretum in advance for reservations and assistance in planning your visit.
- Cost: free for children; $5/adult includes entrance to Arboretum and use of Scout’s Cabin
Adult Groups
Upon request, the Arboretum offers fully guided tours to adult groups by a qualified Arboretum staff member.
General Tour
Led by the Curator of the Arboretum
* Seasonally dependent
- Fall- focus on leaf colour change
- Winter/ Spring- focus on maple syrup production and identifying trees by bark characteristics
- Spring- focus on Spring flowers
- Summer- focus on tree identification (be prepared for mosquitoes!).
- Adapted to group’s mandate upon request.
- Tours offered in French and English.
- Reservations are required.
- Limited lunch facilities available- if desired, please mention upon booking as space is limited.
- Cost:
Collections Tour
Led by John Watson, Arborist and Operation’s Manager of the Arboretum
- Come learn about a few of the different tree and shrub varieties planted at the Arboretum that have been collected from around the world- including Canada’s own backyard. Tour focuses on botanical issues.
- Tour may be adapted to group’s mandate upon request.
- Tours offered in French and English.
- Reservations are required.
- Limited lunch facilities available- if desired, please mention upon booking as space is limited.
Cost -
- 1 hour tour: $120 (up to 20, each additional person- $6)
- 2 hour tour: $150 (up to 20, each additional person- $7.50)
- 3 hour tour: $210 (up to 20, each additional person- $10)