Education & Outreach
The Central Algoma Land Trust’s education and outreach initiatives are designed to foster a deeper understanding of the natural world and inspire lifelong conservation values. Through hands-on learning, outdoor experiences, and accessible educational opportunities, we engage people of all ages in exploring local ecosystems, wildlife, and stewardship. Our programs encourage curiosity, connection to nature, and active participation in protecting the lands and waters we all share.
Explorer Summer Day Camp
The Explorer Summer Day Camp offers children aged 8 to 12 the chance to explore nature through a variety of outdoor activities. Run in partnership with the St. Joseph Island Hunters and Anglers Association, the camp provides experiences like archery, hiking, arts and crafts, canoeing, and outdoor games in a supportive environment. The program fosters a love of the outdoors while encouraging teamwork and curiosity.
Junior Explorers
The Junior Explorers program invites children to connect with nature through fun, hands-on outdoor activities in the Central Algoma region. Participants learn about local plants, animals, and ecosystems while developing a sense of curiosity and stewardship. The program encourages young people to explore and appreciate the natural world around them in a supportive, engaging environment.
Presentations
Over the years, we’ve delivered numerous presentations to local groups on our conservation work and a wide range of environmental topics, helping to raise awareness about the Central Algoma Land Trust while fostering a greater understanding of the natural world. These talks are tailored to be engaging and informative, and are suitable for community groups, schools, and organizations. If your group is interested in having us present, please contact us.
Pam Bent Conservation Award
This annual award goes to a Sault College student in a School of Natural Environment program who demonstrates good leadership skills, good academic achievement, is a global thinker, and demonstrates a passion above and beyond the program expectations. The award is in memory of Pam Bent, a seasonal resident in the Desbarats area who had a passion for education and nature.
Sustain Algoma Expo
In 2009, the first Green Expo has held at the Johnson Township Community Centre in Desbarats. This event aims to bring together many like-minded organizations and businesses to share what they were doing to make our world a better place. In 2015, the event was rebranded as the Sustain Algoma Expo, and in 2023, the Central Algoma Land Trust took over the sole organization of the event.
Please note that this event is currently on pause for 2026. We have a number of land conservation projects in the works that will not allow us to spend the time required to organize this event. However, if anyone organization or group would like to host it on our behalf, please contact us.
Bat Monitoring and Education Program
The Bat Monitoring and Education Program by the Central Algoma Land Trust systematically records and analyses bat calls to document local bat activity. It emphasizes education through community engagement by encouraging residents to report sightings, learn about bats’ ecological roles, and participate in bat-focused outreach events; the program has held multiple bat education and outreach events as part of its activities.
Algoma Envirothon
Since 2024, our team has helped led the aquatics station at the annual Algoma Envirothon hosted by the Algoma Highlands Conservancy. At this station, students learn about aquatic ecosystems, and the various tools that can be used to measure health of the watershed. Students conducted water tests on the Stokely Creek, sampled for stream invertebrates, and observed characteristics of the surrounding riparian environment. The Ontario Envirothon is an environmentally-themed academic competition, providing a dynamic, hands-on environmental learning experience for high school students.
Jane Goodall: Reasons for Hope Educational Outreach Series
Hosted and organized by the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, the Jane Goodall: Reasons for Hope Educational Outreach Series introduced elementary students to a variety of environmental topics. Our team participated in many of the events, teaching hundreds of students about animal skulls and how they reveal clues about an animal’s adaptations for survival in its environment.
Sault/Algoma Grow Me Instead Guide
Our team helped Clean North develop their Sault/Algoma Grow Me Instead Guide. This guide identifies which invasive plants are of greatest concern in Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District, and what are some preferred native plants to grow instead of them.
