Lakehead University's Office of Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning

06/08/2026

Flag raising today in recognition of Pride month and to celebrate the community! 🌈 ❤️

06/03/2026

Registration is now open for IDEA@Work!

EPID@Work is excited to invite you to our IDEA@Work event, taking place on June 22nd, 2026 from 1:00- 4:00 PM EST at Lakehead University.

This event is supported through an Inclusive Research Excellence Grant and is designed to strengthen conversations and knowledge around inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility across our workplaces, research, and communities.

What to Expect:
Join us for an engaging afternoon featuring:

✔️booth displays

✔️panel discussions

✔️networking opportunities

✔️complimentary food!

Whether you are a student, researcher, professional, or community member, IDEA@Work offers a space to learn and connect.

Register Today:
Please find registration information on the poster or at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf6zEx08xKLkKuk44dwH58n6nTdVPvF1sasJ2J-0__i_BBVOw/viewform. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email.

Event Location:
Lakehead University, Faculty Lounge, 955 Oliver Rd, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 5E1.

06/02/2026

Join us tomorrow for the final lecture in our "Feed The Soul" series! Tom Allen, storyteller, concert host, author, broadcaster, musician, and prominent CBC fixture, will explore the profound ways music connects us to ourselves and to one another. Lecture starts at 10:00am at St. Paul's Orillia (Wednesday, June 3rd). Register via https://ec.lakeheadu.ca/tall/feed-the-soul/ or pay at the door. Light refreshments will be served at intermission! Bring a reusable mug and a friend! 🎶

05/28/2026

It looks like it is going to be a beautiful day on Sunday! There are still a few spots so be sure to register to join us! 🌿

🌿🌸🦋🍁Calling all nature lovers! Upcoming workshop!

Carden Alvar Flora Workshop
An Alvar is an important yet widely unknown ecosystem. It first appears as unproductive land or a rock barren but holds a unique, rare and stressed ecosystem that floods in spring and experiences drought by mid-summer. We have this rare phenomenon nearby in Carden with a diverse range of flora that can be studied.

Join Ontario Master Naturalist Program coordinator Bob Bowles for a morning hike on the Carden Alvar! Alvars are globally rare ecosystems and are recognized worldwide for being home to a large number of important plant and bird species. During the hike, Bob will point out some of these important species, including possibly Prairie Smoke and Field Chickweed. You’ll come away from this workshop with an increased understanding of the environmental significance of alvars, and the ability to ID some of the plant species commonly found in these habitats. You’ll also receive a workshop booklet to guide your engagement!

Date: Sunday, May 31, 2026
Time: 10:00am - 1:00 pm
Location: Carden Alvar, Simcoe County (Line 7 just East of 169)
Registration Fee: $60 + HST
Max Registrations: 17
https://communityzone.lakeheadu.ca/omnw

05/28/2026

05/27/2026

Be sure to join us this morning at at 10:00am as Isabel Huggan, prize-winning author and creative writing teacher, speaks about the
various pleasures to be had — at any age — in writing and rewriting our own stories. Books will be for sale and signing! Bring a reusable mug for our refreshment break. Register via our website or pay at the door!

05/23/2026

Join the Office of Indigenous Initiatives and the Orillia Native Women’s Group for a Planting Ceremony in the Wiigwasitig Gitigaan (‘Birch Tree Garden’) and the Ambe Tigadaw (‘Three Sisters Garden). It’s that time of year to express gratitude, connect with nature, and share in the sacredness of the gardens and their purpose.
Date: Wednesday, May 27th, 2026
Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Lakehead University, Behind Simcoe Hall
*Please note: The ceremony takes place outdoors weather permitting. Your registration includes lunch served indoors in Maawnjigamig. Free parking is available through entrance off Line 15, near the C-CAN.
Register here: https://forms.gle/qe7jxZWUWcxMz4pg8

05/13/2026

Join us for a free two-part workshop on Inclusive Hiring and Leading with Stories. Learn practical strategies to make hiring more inclusive and discover how storytelling can strengthen workplace culture and connection.

📅 Thursday, May 21, 2026
🕝 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM
💻 Online via Zoom
Register now: https://www.orilliacdc.com/events/building-better-workplaces/

05/12/2026

🪏 Volunteer Opportunity!

Lakehead Farm Lab is a community-engaged micro-farm at the Lakehead University Orillia campus, maintained by students, faculty, staff and community members. The Farm Lab team is supported by an NSERC PromoScience grant to engage youth in science education through gardening. As part of the programming efforts, and to help maintain the large garden, we are launching a Community Volunteer Program this spring and summer.

Beginning in May, Farm Lab coordinators will host a weekly, two-hour session for community members to volunteer and learn about sustainable farming and food systems through hands-on experiential gardening activities such as early seedling planting, transplanting, direct sowing, garden planning, plant ID, compost application, watering, harvesting, pest management....the list goes on! Upon completion of the volunteer orientation and relevant task training, volunteers are welcome to attend the weekly drop in sessions or come to the Farm Lab on their own time and availability as well.

Interested to learn more? Complete this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckncEsZ-WYjLPeR72iB7nk9adECTOk8p9YH7Bhi4NSy12TJw/viewform
This is a great opportunity to connect in community, to get your community service hours for secondary school students, and to learn more about and be part of food systems! 🌱

05/09/2026

🌿🌸🦋🍁Calling all nature lovers! Upcoming workshop!

Carden Alvar Flora Workshop
An Alvar is an important yet widely unknown ecosystem. It first appears as unproductive land or a rock barren but holds a unique, rare and stressed ecosystem that floods in spring and experiences drought by mid-summer. We have this rare phenomenon nearby in Carden with a diverse range of flora that can be studied.

Join Ontario Master Naturalist Program coordinator Bob Bowles for a morning hike on the Carden Alvar! Alvars are globally rare ecosystems and are recognized worldwide for being home to a large number of important plant and bird species. During the hike, Bob will point out some of these important species, including possibly Prairie Smoke and Field Chickweed. You’ll come away from this workshop with an increased understanding of the environmental significance of alvars, and the ability to ID some of the plant species commonly found in these habitats. You’ll also receive a workshop booklet to guide your engagement!

Date: Sunday, May 31, 2026
Time: 10:00am - 1:00 pm
Location: Carden Alvar, Simcoe County (Line 7 just East of 169)
Registration Fee: $60 + HST
Max Registrations: 17
https://communityzone.lakeheadu.ca/omnw