Nurturing an innate sense of wonder

Beginning with Preschool students, the Primary Programme focuses on nurturing an innate sense of wonder by integrating nature into daily activities. Through play, exploration and close investigation, students are empowered to learn new skills, build confidence and develop a passion for understanding nature’s patterns, ecological communities and plant and animal species.

Participating in on-site monitoring and restoration projects

Older students develop their field skills by participating in a variety of on-site monitoring and restoration projects including bird banding, engineering habitat, and stewardship of our native species garden.  This engaging and relevant programming fosters in children a passion for the natural world, which in turn encourages enthusiasm for the program’s academic component, designed to develop problem solving, ingenuity, and critical thinking.

Exciting natural partnerships

Fern Hill has forged several exciting partnerships with university researchers, conservation biologists and naturalists to develop our program to its full potential. Our fully functioning on-site bird banding laboratory was developed in conjunction with Rick Ludkin, a lifelong birder and naturalist, best known for his work as the founder of the bird banding program at Ruthven Park National Historic Site in York, Ontario (see Rick’s blog here).

We now are the proud hosts to two families of honeybees who live in hives at the boundary of our school’s property. While we have always had wild honeybees visiting our meadows and pollinating our gardens, these will be tended by a professional beekeeper and will provide our students with a remarkable opportunity to learn about the important role pollinators play in our ecosystem.

A program for all seasons

Our Field Studies Programme allows students to engage with nature throughout the seasons, as part of the weekly curriculum. These interactions become the staging ground for developing keen observation skills, curiosity, independence and a compassionate connection to the natural world.

We are very excited that our Field Studies Programme is connecting the next generation of conservationists, including inquisitive scientists, creative artists, social entrepreneurs and ingenious engineers, to connect with nature in rich, meaningful and transformative ways.

Making a Difference

Our field studies program encourages students to think critically about conservation efforts and how small actions can lead to significant impacts. Fern Hill helps to establish a sense of environmental awareness and cultivates a lifelong love of learning. For many, it sparked an interest in environmental science and the potential for future careers in wildlife research.

This alumnus is applying the skills and experiences gained from Fern Hill’s Field Studies program starting in his primary years in his journey to become a certified bird bander in Ontario. Read more about it here.