New Guelph Lake Nature Centre

Exterior view of the Guelph Lake Nature Centre building.

The Guelph Lake Nature Centre at Guelph Lake Conservation Area officially opened in September, 2025! While the building itself is completed, the true value of this Centre lies not in its walls — but in what happens within them and beyond.

The centre stands as a beacon of environmental education, community connection and wellness in the heart of the Grand River watershed.

Each year, thousands of students, families, and community members engage with nature through hands-on learning at the nature centre. From pond studies and forest hikes to climate literacy, participants don’t just learn about nature — they learn from it. Research shows that time spent outdoors improves mental health, boosts cognitive function, and fosters empathy. The Centre’s programs are designed to:

Reduce stress and anxiety through immersive nature experiences
Support mental wellness for children, youth, and adults
Provide inclusive access to greenspace for community groups

Fundraising Campaign

The Grand River Conservation Foundation began fundraising for a new Guelph Lake Nature Centre in the fall of 2010 and has since raised almost $1.8 million in support of the project. We are so thankful to all the donors, supporters, and volunteers who helped make this project a reality, including:

the Rotary Club of Guelph and the Rotary Club of Guelph Charitable Foundation for their generous support as part of their Centennial Project;
Bob Desautels, the Desautels family, and The Neighbourhood Group for their vision and remarkable generosity and support through their River fundraiser dinners;
Susan Frasson, the Frasson family, and the W.C. Wood Foundation - the Frasson family has served as the Honorary Chair Family of the fundraising campaign for the project for more than a decade;
Don Drone, former educator and Director of Education for the Wellington Catholic District School Board - a donation was made anonymously in tribute to his decades of dedication to outdoor environmental education and the Guelph Lake Nature Centre; and
the late Marilyn Murray, who was a driving force behind the Grand River Conservation Foundation and the fundraising campaign for the new nature centre.

Why Support a Centre That's Already Built?

A volunteer carries a tray of native plants and a trowel while helping plant the Indigenous Garden at the Guelph Lake Nature Centre.

Because bricks and mortar are only the beginning. The Centre is a living classroom, a sanctuary, and a launchpad for lifelong stewardship.

Although the Centre is open and evolving, the project was completed with a funding shortfall. We are continuing to fundraise to close this gap responsibly and ensure the Centre can sustain its high-quality programs, expand community access and succeed long into the future. Your support ensures that its programs flourish, its reach expands and its impact deepens.

The GRCF is a Canadian registered charity, so your gift is tax-deductible. To make your online donation now, please visit CanadaHelps.

If you would like more information or have questions about making a donation, please contact the Foundation.