Through our Kitchener Natural Areas Program (KNAP), we offer events and learning opportunities for people of all ages. We run these programs at Huron Natural Area and other spaces in Kitchener.
On this page:
COVID-19 updates
Most city facilities are closed while in step 2
Ontario is in a modified version of step two of the roadmap to reopening:
- City Hall: open for scheduled in-person appointments
- indoor pools: closed
- Kitchener Market Saturday farmers’ market: open at 50% capacity
- Kitchener Market Food Hall: open for takeout only
- parks and outdoor amenities: open
- indoor wedding ceremonies, funerals, rites and religious ceremonies: permitted at 50% capacity of the room
- outdoor wedding ceremonies, funerals, rites and religious ceremonies: capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain two metres of physical distance
- community centres: limited centres open for essential services only
- arenas: closed
- indoor gatherings: up to 5 people
- outdoor gatherings: up to 10 people
- rentals: not permitted
Visit our COVID-19 updates page to learn what's open and closed as well as how city services are affected.
About the program
The Kitchener Natural Areas Program (KNAP) is an environmental program that promotes the stewardship of our natural spaces by:
- engaging the community in environmental stewardship projects
- educating people about our natural areas
- creating opportunities for people to experience nature in the city
We offer this program through partnerships with:
- Waterloo Region Nature Club
- Waterloo Stewardship Council
- Nature Connect
- Humans in Nature
Current programs
Open the accordions below for information about upcoming programs.
| Guided Nature Meditation (online) |
| Date: Monday, January 17 Time: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Location: online on Zoom Cost: free Wind down your day with two guided meditations that draw on the elements of nature to help you ease into a state of peace and relaxation. This program is suitable for beginners. This program is offered for free online through Zoom. Registration is required. |
| Nature Reflective Practice (online) |
| Date: Sunday, January 30 Time: 4 to 5 p.m. Location: online on Zoom Cost: free Get cozy this winter afternoon for a reflective practice to help you connect with nature and the season. You will be guided through a series of relaxation techniques, meditative practices and reflective prompts that can be used for journaling or contemplation. This program is offered for free online through Zoom. Registration is required. |
| Guided Nature Meditation (online) |
| Date: Monday, February 7 Time: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Location: online on Zoom Cost: free Wind down your day with two guided meditations that draw on the elements of nature to help you ease into a state of peace and relaxation. This program is suitable for beginners. This program is offered for free online through Zoom. Registration is required. |
| Introduction to Forest Bathing (online) |
| Date: Monday, February 28 Time: 7 to 8 p.m. Location: online on Zoom Cost: free Learn about this new (and ancient) wellness trend and how it can enhance your well-being. Instruction will be given to help you create your own forest bathing experiences as well as tips on how to fit this wellness practice into daily living. This program is offered for free online through Zoom. Registration is required. |
| Guided Nature Meditation (online) |
| Date: Monday, March 7 Time: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Location: online on Zoom Cost: free Wind down your day with two guided meditations that draw on the elements of nature to help you ease into a state of peace and relaxation. This program is suitable for beginners. This program is offered for free online through Zoom. Registration is required. |
| In-person Spring Equinox Forest Bathing |
| Date: Sunday, March 20 Time: 10 a.m. to noon Location: Huron Natural Area Cost: free Note: This is an in-person workshop. Please see important information below about physical distancing and screening for COVID-19. Registration is required. Registration link coming soon. Celebrate the changing of the seasons on a forest bathing walk led by a certified Nature Therapy Guide. The roots of this program stem from the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, also known as “forest bathing”. This will be a gentle and mindful walk where we get to explore Huron Natural Area and observe the seasonal changes. This program runs rain or snow or shine but will be cancelled or re-scheduled if severe weather is expected. The instructor will provide participants with additional information via email closer to the event date. Be sure to check your spam folder! IMPORTANT INFORMATION Program participants will be asked to screen for COVID-19 symptoms and exposure risk. Program participants will also be asked to follow safety precautions, such as physical distancing, for the duration of the program. Additional information will be provided via email to registered participants. Safety precautions are subject to change based on Provincial and Public Health guidance current at the time. |
Program cost
Most programs are free. If there is a fee, we will include it in the program description.
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