Our Annual Reports
Follow our story across the years.
2023: Fire in Balance
Fire, like most powerful things, has two sides: it can be destructive, as was clearly evident in the wildfires that raged across Canada during the summer of 2023. But then we are reminded that it can also be a beautiful thing; a thing that brings us together through outdoor cookouts, the Sacred Fire that features so prominently in the teachings of the Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, and the support in building the Phoenix House—to replace the Beach House that we lost by fire.
In our 17th year, we aim to hold in balance both beauty and danger, knowing that in the complex space created in that balance, community is created and lessons are learned.
2022: Gratitude for the Land
We find ourselves, time and again, re-affirming the importance of the land that surrounds Wintergreen. Nurturing and giving thanks for the several hundred acres that we roam at will. Sharing the land.
During the pandemic, we developed many new plant-based dishes; this coming December, we will be launching our 4th cookbook. The book highlights plants of all kinds, including the wild edibles that grow on our land. Another example of finding the greatest gifts of the earth that are in plain sight: at our fingertips, beneath our feet.
2021: Year of the Wilderness Retreats
We have become deeply aware that perhaps our most important contribution this year has been to make the land available (when restrictions have allowed) for intimate retreats, deep in the forest and far from the tensions of a daily landscape of Zoom screens. Our beautiful woodland cabins have offered a cherished space for people to star gaze, to cook simple meals, to wander the trails, and to marvel at the wildlife. As our visitors have been nourished by the land, we, too, have been nourished by their presence.
2020: Virtual Land Art BioBlitz
When news of the global pandemic was released in March of 2020, Wintergreen moved quickly to postpone in-person events and to create virtual offerings in their place. The most extensive program we developed was the Virtual Land Art BioBlitz (VLABB), made possible by TD Friends of the Environment. Read the full report here.
COVID has been our greatest challenge, but all of Wintergreen's staff and volunteers have remained healthy and optimistic as we continue to learn and to evolve as an organization.
2019: Year of the Bees
It was the beginning of something beautiful—and sweet! In May 2019, we built the 9th Meadow Apiary and officially launched Project Bee. We offered a 4-part workshop series to educate the community about the impact of pollinators, enhance local bee populations, and offer a sanctuary for honey bees at Wintergreen.
2018: BioBlitz Expansion
Our 4th Annual Land Art BioBlitz was without a doubt our biggest and best yet. This 5-day celebration of land and art was filled with workshops, from pond studies and guided hikes to soundwalks and herpetology, and even a night of square dancing. We are grateful for the support of Grants Ontario, TD Friends of the Environment, Sustainable Eastern Ontario, Queen's University, Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority, Trailhead, Pathways to Education, Reptile & AmphibianAdvocacy, and the Biodiversity Education & Awareness Network.
2017: Wintergreen’s 10th
Our 10th Anniversary! We launched a number of special projects to mark our first decade, including the planning of a book about Wintergreen, filled with photographs by Peter Coffman and Diane Laundy and poetry by Lorna Crozier. The book called The House the Spirit Builds, was released in 2019.
2016: Outreach
In addition to the growing Land Art BioBlitz, offered every spring at Wintergreen to the general public, without charge (thanks to our funders!), we expanded Wintergreen’s programming to off-site locations in Ottawa and Kingston. Many future teachers enrolled at Queen’s University take part in our outreach programs and serve as interns throughout the year.
2015: Heartbeat of the Earth
Drum making becomes one of the regular summer offerings, along with teachings from Indigenous Elders. This was also the year that our first chapbook, edited by Lorna Crozier, was published—a tradition that has continued every year that Lorna has taught at Wintergreen.
2014: Extra Power
This was the year that we nearly doubled our capacity to harvest renewable energy from the sun. Along with our partner, Quantum Renewable Energy, we were able to install photovoltaics in the meadow to complement those that are on the roof of the lodge.
2013: Dinner Concerts
In addition to our workshops and retreats, we established a robust dinner event series, with concerts, readings, and other offerings by local talent and internationally acclaimed artists, musicians, and poets. Pictured above are Triola, a Kingston-based trio.
2012: The Press
This was a banner year for Wintergreen Studios Press, established in 2010. We published four books in 2012 (see our book titles), including John Meisel’s A Life of Learning, which reached “best seller” status for non-fiction in Canada.
2011: Green Energy
The Wintergreen Community Energy Group was launched on June 25th, mid-way through a highly stimulating weekend retreat dedicated to community renewable energy. The retreat was organized by the Community Energy Network of Eastern Ontario (CENEO) in partnership with Frontenac County’s Green Energy Task Force (GETF).
2010: Hobbit House
After a five-day August workshop on cordwood building, the participants continued to volunteer their time throughout the early fall, and the “new” Hobbit House was completed in October. The result is a delightful gem that takes its rightful place as one of Wintergreen’s many charming outbuildings.
2009: Annual Report
It is with pleasure and pride that we present our first annual report. This report documents some of our most impressive achievements over the past year and highlights some of the work we intend to pursue over the years to come.