Join our bi-weekly outdoor learning workshops in the Faculty of Education Community Garden!

Upcoming events:

Thursday October 24th, 4:30-6:00pm, Back to the earth - Climate Death Salon
- Facilitators: Victor Yin (he/they) and Christina Joy: (any pronouns) from Sword fern Collective: In the end, we will all die. Death is a natural, inevitable outcome for all living beings, but for humans, death and how we approach dying are shaped by social, cultural, and environmental factors. Feelings of loss, grief, and change are thus intrinsic to the experience of living. Death cafés are a movement where community members create space to talk openly about death, something often discouraged in Western culture. We, the organizers of this project, believe that discussing death in community is essential for making meaning of difficult circumstances. Furthermore, we believe that talking openly about death is necessary for our society to collectively organize around climate issues.

Previous Events:

Thursday May 22 3:30pm - 5:00pm, Talk it Through: A Climate Chat Under the Trees.
- Facilitator Vanja Lugonjic: This ‘Talk it Through’ workshop gives space for the McGill community to share their thoughts, feelings, concerns and actions surrounding the climate crises in community. The discussion will be facilitated by Vanja, and a deck of conversation cards that help participants navigate these topics with joy, meaning, and hope.
June 12, 4:00 - 6:00 pm Anishinaabmowin in the Garden
- Facilitator Jenni Makahnouk: “Anishinaabmowin in the Garden" workshop explores the connection between language and land. Participants learn the Anishinaabe language while engaging with gardening practices that honor traditional knowledge. Through cultivating plants, speaking and learning the language, attendees deepen their understanding of Indigenous culture, environmental stewardship, and holistic ways of life.
July 3, 6:00 - 7:30 pm, Creating and Connecting with Snail Mail
- Facilitator Fraya: Join our workshop host Fraya for our workshop "Creating Snail Mail" on July 3rd. In this workshop participants will create their own unique postcards using collage, drawing utensils etc. We will discuss how letter mail can be used as a method of connection and creativity in the age of high speed technology.
July 10, 6:00 - 7:30 pm, Mending: Community + Repair
- Facilitator Alicia Aikens: Our clothes are so intimately connected to our lives, environments and sense of self. Join us for a workshop on how to love your clothes better and longer. Bring a piece to mend or upcycle!
July 24, 6:00pm - 7:30 pm, Writing with Nature: Reclaiming Voice in the Garden
- Facilitators Kook Hu and Gursween Padda: Calling all poets, writers and storytellers! Join our host from the Writers Collective of Canada as they guide us through a writing session of deep listening, reflection, and community sharing, as we explore our relationship with nature through creative writing. All levels of writing experience welcome!
August 14th, 5:00 pm- 6:30pm , Low Waste Living: At-home sustainability hacks.
- Facilitator Isabelle: The purpose of this workshop is to encourage simple, accessible changes to out consumption habits that can help reduce waste. Through discussion and activities, we will highlight practical hacks that may reduce consumption in key areas of our daily lives, with the goal of reframing consumption in favour of sustainability.
- We invite participants to bring;
  - 1 old t-shirt and/or a
  - A jar and/or
  - A food container of their own ( e.g. empty yogurt tub)
August 28, 4:30 pm - 6:00pm , Welcome Back to Campus, with Beading in the Garden
- The Education Garden welcomes Faculty of Education and all McGill students back to campus! Come join us for a Beading Class, snacks and drinks and connect with your fellow classmates.
- Facilitator Jenni Makahnouk : The "Beading Class" workshop offers a hands-on experience in learning the art of traditional Anishinaabe beading. Participants explore cultural patterns, techniques, and symbolism while creating their own beaded pieces. This class emphasizes the significance of beading in Anishinaabe heritage, fostering creativity and connecting participants to ancestral craftsmanship.
September 4th, 4:00pm - 5:30 pm, Fungi Frenzy!
- Join MycroNurseries to play their newly developed game "Fungi Frenzy" and learn about the important connection between fungi, the environment and Climate Change through gameplay.
September 18th, 4-5:30 pm, Creating a Garden Zine
- Facilitator Sam: As a form of reflection and community building, participants are invited to contribute to a collective garden zine. Zines is a handmade self-published magazine, meant to circulate around the communities who made them – like our education garden community! In this “Garden Zine Workshop” the facilitator will guide you take artistic inspiration from the environment around you as we reflect on our Stories/connections to nature, what sustainability means to us, and the impact of learning outside with nature.
- Participants are welcome to bring magazines, paper or anything else to collage with!
- See our zine here
October 2, 4:30-6:00pm, Garden-to-Glass Mocktail Workshop
- Join us for a hands-on mocktail workshop led by bartender Zisheng Hong! In this session, you’ll discover how to transform fresh garden plants and simple kitchen staples into beautiful, delicious non-alcoholic cocktails. No fancy bar gear required — just natural flavors, creativity, and a few tools you already have at home. Snacks & all materials provided.
- Limited Spots! Registration Highly Recommended

Note that registration is recommended but not required.

Food & Drink: Light snacks will be provided, and common allergens will be indicated and separated. Clean reusable plates and cutlery will be provided, however feel free to bring you own if desired!

How to get there: If taking the metro, get off at Peel Station, and head up Peel street till you reach the Faculty of Education building's Peel st. entrance. To access the garden, turn right before entering the building, and head down the stairs. For an accessible entrance, see details below.

Accessibility:

The Faculty of Education is Located on top of a hill, however the building itself is accessible. The Summer Learning Series will be taking place in our Education Community Garden which is located outside on the Peel St. side of the building. For those with mobility concerns, the garden is accessible through the building itself, but can be confusing to find. Please let one of us know, and we would be happy to assist!

Big thank you to McGill University's Sustainability Projects Fund for supporting these workshops! Learn more about this funding opportunity on their website: https://www.mcgill.ca/sustainability/engage/spf

Our workshop series is Platinum certified through The McGill Sustainable Events certification program.

Summer Learning in the Garden Series @ The McGill Education Garden

Summer Learning in the Garden Series @ The McGill Education Garden

Event Info

Hosted By:

Vanja Lugonjic

Vanja Lugonjic

Join the Conversation

Join the Conversation

Other Attendees

Other Attendees

Other Attendees

Other Attendees