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Field Botany
Grasses, Sedges, and Rushes

June 22 - 24 and July 6 - 9, 2026

Grasses, sedges, and rushes are among the most ecologically and economically important plant groups in Ontario’s wetlands, forests, and fields—but also some of the most challenging to identify. This three-day, hands-on field and lab course provides participants with the skills and confidence to distinguish these groups in the field and accurately identify them to species level.

Through guided fieldwork and practical lab exercises, participants will learn how to collect and prepare specimens, examine diagnostic features with hand lenses and microscopes, and effectively use botanical keys. By the end of the course, you’ll be able to confidently identify grasses, sedges, and rushes, and prepare high-quality plant pressings for reference or herbarium use.

Join us in July at the Ken Reid Conservation Area in Lindsay, Ontario, for a unique opportunity to enhance your botanical knowledge and skills.

Program Outline

Monday

Morning

Arrival and registration.
Introduction to field botany
Plant taxonomy, nomenclature and structure
Introduction to grasses, sedges and rushes
Focal group – rushes
Guided identification of rushes

Afternoon

Field ID and collection of a rushes at KRCA
Identifying collected rush specimens in the lab
Demonstration of plant pressing

Tuesday

Morning

Introduction to sedges
Field Trip to Carden Alvar

Afternoon

Guided identification of sedges.
Identifying collected sedge specimens in the lab

Wednesday

Morning

Introduction to grasses
Guided identification of grasses
Outing – old-field grasses of Kawartha Lakes

Afternoon

Identifying collected grass specimens in the lab
Course wrap-up and departure

Field Botany

$750.00

Field Botany Registration Form

First name

Last name

Phone

Address

Company name

Customer Billing Address

Emergency Contact Name & Number

Please list any medical concerns

How did you hear about Ecopa?

Please tell us a little about yourself and your expectations about the course. This will help us tailor the content throughout the week.

Meals

Participants are responsible for their own meals. We will typically take a one-hour lunch break.

Course Preparation

Location

Our July workshop is held at the Ken Reid Conservation Area, 277 Kenrei Rd, Lindsay, ON K9V 4R2. If you’re using an older GPS, some have the road listed as Ken Reid Rd. We will be using the Field House facilities for daily meetings and training before heading into the field.

Outdoor sessions will be conducted at the conservation area with local excursions to different habitats.

Transportation

Participants will be responsible for their transportation to field sites. To minimize our carbon footprint, we will organize carpooling on the first day of the course.

Parking

Parking at Ken Reid Conservation Area costs $4.00 /day/ vehicle. Upon arrival, you may purchase this from Kawartha Conservation.

Clothing

Participants should come prepared to be outside for extended periods. Weather conditions may range from cool to very warm. Please come prepared for all eventualities, as fieldwork may need to be conducted in inclement weather. Participants will be walking in forests and on even and potentially slippery ground. Hiking boots are recommended, but rubber boots are not necessary.

Gear

Participants will be outside each day and are required to bring their own field gear.

Recommended Gear:

Backpack
Cell phone (camera)
Hand lens
Field notebook
Clipboard
Laptop computer (for classroom work)
Mosquito/tick repellant
Sunscreen
Water bottle

Course Materials

PDFs of the course training material and manuals will be available to participants prior to the commencement of the course. We recommend that participants download all material and bring them on a laptop or notebook. It is recommended that you review the course notes prior to the workshop.

Participants should set up an account with iNaturalist.ca either by downloading the app to their phone and/or laptop and spend some time getting familiar with this citizen science app/web page which we will be using during the course.

Field Botany Grasses, Sedges, and Rushes

June 22 - 24 and July 6 - 9, 2026

Program Outline

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Field Botany
Grasses, Sedges, and Rushes