Rooted in wonder!

Summer Exhibition: The Man Who Planted Trees: An Immersive Tale

May 16 to October 13, 2025
This unique immersive experience, a world première, is inspired by Jean Giono’s beloved story—adapted into an Oscar-winning film by Quebec animator and conservationist, Frédéric Back. Visitors will discover how one shepherd’s unwavering mission to reforest a barren valley changed an entire landscape. This ode to the importance of trees—and the power of one person to make a difference—is told through awe-inspiring sound and visuals, created by the Montreal multimedia company, Supply and Demand. Timed tickets must be reserved in advance for this exhibition.

Affiliated programming:

The Man Who Planted Trees: The Film (1987)
May 16 to September 1, 2025, daily screenings
Visitors will be able to see Frédéric Back’s amazing, animated film (produced by Radio-Canada) in the museum’s Theatre. It’s the first time this Canadian classic is featured in stunning, 4K resolution.
30 minutes

Symbiosis
May 17 to October 13, 2025
A forest-inspired installation led by artist cj fleury, called Symbiosis, will be on view in the Mammal Gallery. Hanging strips of mulberry paper will resemble a grove of trees, covered in hand-drawn images of woodland fauna and flora. Projected onto the drawings will be video of the flora and fauna of the Outaouais forest, accompanied by an original score from the local, Juno-winning chamber ensemble Esmerine. This installation is presented in partnership with Eco Echo (Outaouais Environmental Campus). On weekends and Thursday evenings, a science interpreter will be in the space to to facilitate hands-on art activities inspired by local forest biodiversity.

Fall exhibition: Qikiqtait
Opening September 26, 2025
Autumn brings another premiere to the museum’s Northern Voices Gallery. This space features exhibitions presented by northern communities. Qikiqtait (Hik-a-tay) reveals the unique culture, geology and biodiversity of the Belcher Islands, a unique archipelago in the heart of Hudson Bay and home to the community of Sanikiluaq, Nunavut. In this exhibition, developed in partnership with the Arctic Eider Society, visitors will learn about the importance of the Common Eider to the local people, Sanikiluarmiut, and about their community-led approach to protecting the archipelago. Highlighted in the exhibition is SIKU, the Indigenous Knowledge App and how it is being used to support the creation of an Indigenous-led protected area. Presented by Polar Knowledge Canada.

A separate satellite exhibition about SIKU: The Indigenous Knowledge App opens June 4 at the Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS) in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. The opening is timed to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of CHARS and Polar Knowledge Canada.

Nature Nocturne – five events until March 2026
Now in its 11^th season, Nature Nocturne resumes on May 30 with the theme, TREEmendous. This popular, after-hours event, first launched in 2013, blends science, discovery, music and fun as the museum opens its five floors to about 2,000 adults from 8 p.m. to midnight.  There are five events this season, with tickets selling fast (Treemendous is already sold out!). Full details available at nature.ca/ nocturne.

School programs
The museum’s successful virtual school workshops are continuing—free since September 2024! New this fall will be the museum’s first virtual workshop for secondary students, on the topic of Arctic Ecosystems. Launched in March 2021, the workshops offer live and interactive sessions led by a museum educator. Students across Canada can explore natural-science topics, with content adapted to meet the curricula in each province and territory.

Special programming – Research and Collections, Ocean Day and Open House

Get up close to special collections and hear from museum scientists and collections experts at two interactive events. Celebrate Ocean Week Canada at the museum on June 5 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Delve into aquatic biodiversity with informative displays and activities at the museum’s downtown Ottawa location.

Then on October 18, be part of the museum’s annual Open House, with a behind-the-scenes visit at its huge research and collections facility in Gatineau, Quebec—home to more than 15 million scientific specimens of plants, animals, fossils and minerals. This is a once-a-year opportunity to visit labs, collection rooms and to interact with museum experts at the Natural Heritage Campus at 1740 Pink Road.

Exhibitions closing this year
Our Land, Our Art, last day August 17, 2025
Mid-August is the last chance to see Our Land, Our Art. This exhibition in the museum’s Northern Voices Gallery reveals perspectives on Quebec’s Nunavik region through the works of Inuit artists—each inspired by their deep connection to nature and their home communities. Our Land, Our Art was developed by the Avataq Cultural Institute, based in Inukjuak, Nunavik, and in Montreal, with the support of the museum.

Rewilding, last day October 20, 2025
October 20 is the last day to see Rewilding – The David Suzuki Foundation Arts Prize. Through their diverse, unique artworks, 13 Canadian artists interpret the concept of rewilding: returning natural environments to their original, self-sustaining state.

Butterflies in Flight, closing January 4, 2026
Continuing until January 4, 2026, is the beautiful exhibition, Butterflies in Flight. Visitors delight in seeing countless live, tropical butterflies flutter around the museum’s solarium. Timed tickets must be reserved for this exhibition. Visit nature.ca for details.

Canada Day – free admission
General admission is free on July 1 at the museum.

The museum is located at 240 McLeod Street, Ottawa, Ontario. Admission to the museum’s permanent galleries is free on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (supported by Canada Life). The museum is closed on Tuesdays until May, after which it will be open seven days a week until Labour Day.

Media Contacts

Dan Smythe
Media Relations
dsmythe@nature.ca
613-698-9253

Laura McEwen
Media Relations
lmcewen@nature.ca
613-698-7142

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