February 9, 2026
A participant in last year's March Break workshop examines a preserved specimen under a microscope at the Cooper Marsh Visitors Centre.
The River Institute and the Raisin Region Conservation Authority (RRCA) are teaming up once again to offer free, family-friendly workshops this March Break at Cooper Marsh Conservation Area. Taking place on March 17 and 18, 2026, the drop-in programming will run from 10 am to 2 pm at the Cooper Marsh Visitors Centre and is open to children and their parents or caregivers.
Families can expect a range of engaging, hands-on activities designed for all ages. Activities will focus on seasonal ecology and include guided outdoor explorations, wildlife tracking, birdwatching, winter tree identification, and interactive science experiments indoors.
“Participants will have the chance to explore winter ecology at Cooper Marsh through a mix of outdoor discovery and indoor learning,” says Olivianne Devine, Environmental Educator and Biologist with the River Institute. “These activities offer families a fun and meaningful way to connect with this provincially significant coastal wetland and gain a deeper understanding of the plants and animals that depend on it.”
Cooper Marsh is one of three Conservation Areas managed by the RRCA and regularly hosts educational programming through its ongoing partnership with the River Institute’s award-winning environmental education team.
“These workshops are a wonderful option for families who want to spend time outdoors and learn together during March Break,” says Lisa Van De Ligt, RRCA’s Communications and Stewardship Team Lead. “The River Institute’s strength in environmental education complements the rich variety of ecosystems and biodiversity found across our Conservation Areas.”
Just minutes from South Lancaster, the 673-acre Cooper Marsh forms part of the Charlottenburgh Marsh, one of Ontario’s most significant coastal wetlands. The RRCA works to protect and enhance the area, which features viewing blinds and platforms, a self-guided interpretive tour, and over 10 kilometres of boardwalks and nature trails.
The River Institute and the RRCA are also hosting week-long day camps at Cooper Marsh this July for children aged 7 to 10. Learn more about the River Institute’s education programs at education.riverinstitute.ca or by contacting (613) 936-6620 or info@riverinstitute.ca. To learn more about the RRCA visit rrca.on.ca or contact (613) 938-3611 or info@rrca.on.ca.