Niagara Knowledge Exchange

Instructors in Focus 2026
2026-02-01 - 2026-03-21 | Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre, 247 Ricardo Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, l0s1j0, Canada
The Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre’s annual exhibition highlighting the work of our talented instructors.
Programming at the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre is led by a group of incredibly talented artists that work in diverse media. This exhibition highlights our Instructors skill and dedication to their artistic practices as well as the passion they bring to the classroom.

Visions and Views, Group Exhibit
2026-02-01 - 2026-04-18 | Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre, 247 Ricardo Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, l0s1j0, Canada
Discover a vibrant showcase of artwork created by talented member artists of the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre. Visions and Views brings together diverse perspectives, artistic styles, and creative approaches, offering visitors an engaging journey through unique interpretations of the world around us. From bold expressions to quiet reflections, this exhibition celebrates the many ways artists see, imagine, and translate their surroundings into art.

Community Café: World Wetlands Day
2026-02-02 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Toronto) | The Office Tap and Grill, 22 James Street, St. Catharines, ON, L2R 5B8, Canada
Join us this Monday, February 2nd , for a Community Café in celebration of World Wetlands Day. Share knowledge and connect with the local community and raise awareness of the vital role of wetlands for people, nature and culture. anelists will discuss the importance of wetlands, Ramsar sites and upcoming wetland projects and restoration work being done through the NPCA and Niagara College.
Host Liette Vasseur – Professor, Biological Sciences; UNESCO Chair in Community Sustainability: from local to global; Member of the Brock Environmental Sustainability Research Centre
Connor Ferguson (Technician, Watershed Restoration and Stewardship) will represent the NPCA and speak about the importance of wetlands, as well as showcase some of our recent and upcoming wetland projects.
Katie Bristow: Sustainability Program and Outreach Coordinator in the Office of Sustainability and Niagara College.
Jocelyn Baker: Professor, Environmental Science, Niagara College School of Environment / Environmental Consultant / Researcher. Light refreshments and Snacks provided!

Lifelong Learning Niagara Inc Winter 2026 Lecture Series
2026-02-03 10:00 - 12:00 | Online via Zoom
February 3 – The Latest from Space: Discoveries from the Webb and Hubble Telescopes
Dr. Nathalie Ouellette, Astrophysicist; Outreach Scientist for the James Webb Space Telescope in
Canada
Explore how the James Webb Space Telescope and the Hubble Space Telescope work and how they play an essential role in bringing us discoveries ranging from Solar System objects to alien world to distant galaxies. And find out what the next generation of space telescopes, namely the Canadian-led CASTOR Mission and the Habitable Worlds Observatory, promise to deliver in the coming decades.
February 10 – Innovation and Creative Thinking: Pathways for Canada and for Each of Us Dr.
Roseann Runte, Past President and CEO of the Canada Foundation for Innovation
How does innovation build the economy and how does investment in innovation fuel the economy? Learn how innovation works and who is driving positive change in Canada and in the Niagara Region.
February 17 – The Adaptable Country: How Canada Can Survive the Twenty-First Century Dr.
Alasdair Roberts, Professor of Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Amherst
The capacity to anticipate and manage dangers such as shifting geopolitics, regional conflicts, climate change, and technology shocks is essential for Canada to survive and thrive. Dr. Roberts, a Canadian, outlines some reforms to improve adaptability.
February 24 – Chinese Art then and Now
Catherine Maudsley, Art Advisor, Curator and Art Historian; Founder Catherine Maudsley Limited
Join Catherine in a discussion about the burgeoning Chinese art market, the emergence of private museums in China, and the increased international interest in and understanding of Chinese art.
March 3 – Enhancing Brain Fitness and Resilience Throughout Adulthood Dr. Mark Fenske, Neuroscientist; Professor of Psychology, University of Guelph
Gain insight about the impact of stress on brain function and what the latest scientific findings tell us about enhancing resilience and maintaining brain fitness throughout our lives.

Niagara Community Foundation (NCF) 2026 David S. Howes Fund Grant Application Deadline
2026-02-06 12:00 | ON
We are pleased to open the 2026 David S. Howes Fund Grants! This is our largest and most robust granting stream, empowering charities in meaningful ways.
This grant stream has six priority areas:

Education
Facilities
Health-care Services
Humanitarian Issues
Post Secondary
Research

We invite all registered charities to visit our Grants page to find out more about this program and how to apply.
www.niagaracommunityfoundation.org/site/charities
Applications are NOW OPEN!
DUE: MONDAY, MARCH 30 | NOON

Canada's Agriculture Day
2026-02-10 | ON
On February 10, 2026, we’re celebrating Canada’s Ag Day, marking the 10th official anniversary of this national day of recognition. While Canada’s agriculture legacy goes back generations, this milestone highlights ten years of formally honouring the hardworking individuals who bring food to our tables and the incredible contributions of agriculture to our nation’s prosperity, health, and well-being.
This milestone is your chance to celebrate the innovation, dedication, and resilience of Canada’s agriculture and food sector. Whether you’re sharing stories, joining conversations, or simply expressing gratitude, your participation helps spotlight the vital role the food system plays in our everyday lives.
Join the celebration by using #CdnAgDay on social media to connect with others across the country. Together, let’s celebrate ten years of recognizing the people, the passion, and the pride behind Canadian agriculture

Honouring Our Past, Empowering Our Youth: Supporting Black Students on Their Journey to Post-Secondary
2026-02-11 08:30 - 10:30 | Rose City Youth Centre, 116 Division St, Welland, ON, L3B 3Z9, Canada
The Welland Heritage Council and Multicultural Centre is hosting their annual Black History Celebration on Feb 11, 2026 from 8:30 to 10:30 am. At Rose City Youth Centre, 116 Division St., Welland. See the poster below for more information. It’s $45 plus admin fees.
Guest Speaker: Dr Charles Conteh – Brock University
Emcee: Juliet Dunn
African Dance Performance (AWA Dance)
Youth Spoken Word
Click here for Poster

Building Your Support System as You Age
2026-02-12 09:00 | Online via Zoom
Changes happen continuously as we age. How we frame these changes and what habits we build to adapt to them affect our wellbeing. One of the most actionable adaptations we can make is to build a support system tailored to our own situation and needs. Learning goals:

Recognize and accept the ongoing changes of aging
Review an empowering tool for building your support system
Learn how to accept and leverage supports to help you adapt to ongoing changes

2026-Feb 12-Zoom Workshop-Building Your Support System as You Age Poster

West Niagara Seedy Saturday
2026-02-14 11:00 - 15:00 | Grimbsy Public Libraray, 18 Carnegie Ln, Grimsby, ON, L3M 1Y1, Canada
The Grimsby Public Library, the West Lincoln Public Library and the Lincoln Pelham Public Library are dedicated to organizing and hosting a Niagara West Seedy Saturday free event for the public with a focus on heritage seeds, organic gardening, native plants, and environmental concerns.

2026 Sustainability Poetry Contest DEADLINE
2026-02-14 17:00 | ON
The Sustainability Poetry Contest is hosted annually by Brock University’s UNESCO Chair on Community Sustainability: From Local to Global. It invites writers from the Niagara region in Ontario, Canada to submit up to two, unpublished poems (in English or French) on themes related to sustainability until February 14, 2026 at 5 p.m.
This year’s theme is International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, providing an opportunity to highlight the work of volunteers to advance sustainability.
Winners will be announced in time for the UNESCO World Poetry Day Celebration on March 23, 2026, and all poets (and members of the community) are invited to attend the free Poetry Day Celebration to mark the day.
Submission Categories: Elementary Student; High School Student; College/University Student; General Public.
*One prize will be awarded in each of the four categories. Prizes will include books, gift cards, and other gifts valuing over $50 per category. All poets will have their work published in an e-book.
*Only residents of the Niagara Region are eligible to enter.
*Poems generated in whole or in part by Generative AI will not be accepted.

Niagara in Focus Community Photo Project Deadline
2026-02-16 | ON
Niagara in Focus Community Photo Project, The Brown Homestead

Niagara in Focus Community Photo Project teams up with the Niagara Geopark to invite you to share one photograph that captures the places, people, and moments that make Niagara feel like home—past or present.
This project seeks to explore how community, memory, time, and landscape intertwine to create a shared sense of place. Your photograph—whether a recent snapshot from your phone, a cherished print from a family album, or a historic image passed down through generations—will contribute to a mosaic portrait of Niagara, highlighting the stories that define our community from past to present.
Selected submissions will be curated as part of a travelling community exhibit to be displayed across Niagara starting in Spring 2026.
Participation details:
– What to submit: One photo that represents what Niagara means to you, past or present
-How to submit: thebrownhomestead.ca/niagara-in-focus
-Deadline: February 16, 2026
We encourage you to dig into old family albums, scroll through your phone, or search your own digital archives on your computer. We hope that, through your submission, we can tell the story of Niagara as “home,” capturing the landscapes, landmarks, and memories that connect us across the region.
The first phase of the travelling exhibit will be unveiled at the 2nd annual Culture Crawl held at Meridian Community Centre on March 8, 2026.

Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention
2026-02-18 - 2026-02-19 | Niagara Falls Convention Centre, 6815 Stanley Avenue, Niagara Falls, on, L2G 3Y9, Canada
The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention (OFVC) is an annual 2-day gathering of horticultural crop producers involved in the production of fruits and vegetables. The convention is attended by a cross section of the horticultural sector including government, industry, business, consultants, producers, associations, researchers and educators from across Canada and features a great lineup of horticultural experts, educational sessions, trade show exhibitors and great networking opportunities. If you grow, this is one event you can’t afford to miss!

Revenue Canada: Tax Benefits
2026-02-19 13:00 - 14:30 | Online via Zoom
Learn about tax benefits that may help to support persons living with dementia, care partners, or seniors. We will be joined by special guest Kaitlyn Mattiozzi, CVITP and Benefits Outreach Officer.
We will discuss:
– Disability Tax Credit
– Caregiver Tax Credit
– Medical Expenses
– Information on filling your taxes
– Frauds and scams
Register by calling our office at 905-687-3914 or visit us online at http://www.alzheimerniagara.ca/publicforums

Nutrition and Brain Health
2026-02-20 10:30 - 12:00 | ON
Join us each month as we engage in activities of self-care to promote positive brain health and meaningful connections. We welcome anyone who is looking to relax and have fun!
In our discussion, Registered Dietitian Christina will talk about nutrition, the MIND diet, and nutrients of importance for the brain. We will discuss practical tips you can use at home to promote healthy eating habits, and finish by creating a healthy snack to take home with you.
Transportation available if needed.
Register by calling our office at 905-687-3914 or visit us online at http://www.alzheimerniagara.ca/caregiverwellness

Navigating Hallucinations and Delusions
2026-02-24 10:30 - 11:30 | Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region, 1-403 Ontario St., St. Catharines, ON, L2N 1L5, Canada
The Navigating Responsive Behaviours Series is an opportunity to explore and understand changes in behaviour and learn helpful strategies to support people living with dementia.
Hallucinations and delusions are symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. With hallucinations or delusions, people do not experience things as they really are. Join us as we discuss possible causes of hallucinations and delusions, and tips and strategies to support a person who is experiencing hallucinations and delusions.
Register by calling our office at 905-687-3914 or visit us online at http://www.alzheimerniagara.ca/publicforums

Canada Talks - Unerasing Ourselves: St. Catharines, Canadian Literature, and the Past
2026-02-25 18:15 | St Catharines Public Library, 54 Church St., St. Catharines, Ontario, L2R 7K2, Canada
The Centre for Canadian Studies in partnership with the St. Catharines Public Library presents their third Canada Talks event featuring Professor Gregory Betts.
“Unerasing Ourselves: St. Catharines, Canadian Literature, and the Past”
Wednesday February 25 starting at 6:15 p.m.
Central Library, Mills Room, Downtown St. Catharines
This talk attends to the troubling question: what becomes of the nation when we decolonize, when we really take our conflicts head on?
By looking at the history and counter-history of St. Catharines, we can start to imagine a strategy of reading Canada through its conflicts, without erasing any, while highlighting the various efforts to erase evidence of conflict. “Unerasing Ourselves” traces out a series of remarkable, improbable, and fascinating links between such authors as Frederick Douglas, John Richardson, Thomas D’Arcy McGee, and Harriet Tubman, amongst others. Provocatively, I argue that we must reconsider erasure as a central dynamic of the Canadian Social contract. For the sake of the future, it is time to think more consciously of the messy conflicts shaping this land.
Light refreshments served | All welcome

Redefining Beauty: A Health & Wellness Symposium
2026-02-26 09:00 - 15:00 | The Exchange, 5943 Sylvia Place, Niagara Falls ON, 5943 Sylvia Pl, Niagara Falls, Onario, L2G 1S9, Canada
The Redefining Beauty: Health & Wellness Symposium is a FREE, full-day event designed to enhance pathways to care and empower Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) women, Two-Spirit, and non-binary individuals to make informed, autonomous decisions about their health and wellness, including sexual and reproductive health.
Connect with BIPOC health and wellness service providers throughout the day. On-site services include:

Local BIPOC-owned businesses showcasing health, wellness, and beauty products
HIV testing and warm referrals to local HIV/STBBI supports
Access to the Niagara PrEP Clinic
Safer sex and harm reduction supplies

Black History Month Family Movie Night with Niagara LIP
2026-02-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Niagara Falls Public Library, 4848 Victoria Ave, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Join Niagara Local Immigration Partnership for a Black History Month Family Movie Night featuring the inspiring true story of Ruby Bridges. Celebrate this significant chapter in history when Ruby, at just six years old courageously joins an all white school in 1960’s New Orleans. The movie is rated G and has runtime of 90 minutes.

State of the Region
2026-02-27 | Sheraton Fallsview Hotel, 5875 Falls Avenue, Niagara Falls, Ontario, L2G3K7, Canada
The State of the Region event with Niagara Regional Chair Bob Gale is a premier gathering of Niagara’s influential business leaders, community members, and elected officials, offering a unique opportunity to network with the region’s key decision-makers.
This event will feature Chair Gale’s comprehensive overview of the current economic conditions, along with insights into key initiatives and projects aimed at fostering growth and development. Attendees will have the chance to engage in meaningful discussions on the region’s future, sharing ideas on how to strategically position Niagara for continued success. The State of the Region event is a dynamic and informative gathering, highlighting the region’s strengths, and fostering collaboration to shape a prosperous future

Rochelle Bush: Freedom Trail
2026-02-28 14:00 - 15:00 | McFarland House, 15927 Niagara Parkway Recreational Trail, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, L2E 6T2, Canada
Join us for an inspiring discussion with Rochelle Bush, Trustee and resident historian of the Salem Chapel, BME Church Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historic Site, and owner of Tubman Tours Canada. Rochelle will explore the Underground Railroad era and the early Black presence along the Niagara River on both sides of the border.

TCAG's 50/50 Raffle
2026-03-01 - 2026-03-31 | ON
Community shouldn’t come at a cost. You can take home half the pot while helping children and families in Niagara. Funds raised through this raffle will support sport and recreation programs that benefit children, youth and families, food security initiatives, subsidy for camp and childcare, and more. Thank you for your support – we couldn’t help our community without you!

Community Café for World Wildlife Day
2026-03-03 18:00 - 19:00 | Fine Grind, 37 James St,, St. Catharines, L2R 5B4, Canada
Tuesday March 3rd is the World Wildlife Day! You are all invited to celebrate the event at 6 pm at the Fine Grind Café in St Catharines. We have a couple of speakers discussing the importance of wildlife in our lives from animals to plants and more. The theme is on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants… but with a twist!
Hosted by Liette Vasseur – Professor, Biological Sciences; UNESCO Chair in Community Sustainability: from local to global; Member of the Brock Environmental Sustainability Research Centre.
Hear from:
Dr. Gotanda, Assistant Professor in the Biological Sciences department, discusses wild animals and their use of medicinal and aromatic plants.
Anne Yagi from the environmental organization 8 Trees, focusing on connecting people with wildlife and local sustainability initiatives through their work in ecological restoration and community-based science education.

Ontario Trillium Foundation Capital Grant Deadline
2026-03-04 17:00 | ON
Improve physical spaces for community use
Programs and services that support the people of Ontario are delivered locally in a range of community buildings and physical spaces. These places provide opportunities for activity, recreation, and connection and play an important role in creating healthy and vibrant communities where everyone feels a sense of belonging.
In the Capital grant stream, OTF funds projects that update buildings, enhance physical spaces, and purchase fixed and non-fixed equipment so people and communities can thrive.
The grant application period is from February 4, 2026 to March 4, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Victim Support Directory Information Session
2026-03-05 13:00 - 15:00 | Online via Zoom
Join us on March 5 for a virtual Victim Support Directory information session. The Victim Support Directory is Ontario’s first stop for housing, legal, financial, health, and crisis support. Learn how you can use and recommend the Victim Support Directory for those in need, including a site demonstration and walkthrough.
Register now with these links:
English 1pm
French 2pm
Joignez-vous à nous le 5 mars pour une séance d’information virtuelle sur le Répertoire de soutien aux victimes. Le Répertoire de soutien aux victimes est le premier point d’accès en Ontario pour les services de soutien en matière de logement, d’aide juridique, d’aide financière, de santé et d’intervention en situation de crise. Participez pour découvrir comment utiliser et recommander le Répertoire de Soutien Aux Victimes aux personnes dans le besoin, y compris une démonstration et une visite guidée du site.
Inscrivez-vous dès maintenant avec ces liens :
En anglais 1pm
En français 2pm

Brunch, Bid & Bowl
2026-03-07 09:00 - 14:30 | Cataract Bowl, 7906 Lundy's Lane, Niagara Falls, ON, L2H 1H1, Canada
Create a community of support for survivors of abuse by joining Birchway as you Brunch, Bid and Bowl this March 7. Every dollar you raise will provide critical services in our community such as safe shelter, a 24-hour support line and counselling to help break the cycle of abuse.
Visit http://www.BrunchBidandBowl.org to learn more!
Free for teams who meet $1000 fundraising minimum (“Brunch & Bid” tickets $60 adults | $40 Youth 9 and under)

Culture Crawl 2026
2026-03-08 10:00 - 16:00 | Meridian Community Centre, 100 Meridian Way, Fonthill, Ontario, L0S 1E6, Canada
Step into Niagara’s living heritage at the 2nd annual Niagara GeoClub Culture Crawl—an immersive day of interactive exhibits, local artifacts, community heritage projects, museums, authors, and storytellers. Explore the layers of Niagara’s past and present, and connect with the people who are preserving and sharing the stories that shape our region.
Culture Crawl invites visitors to explore Niagara’s rich tapestry of culture, community, and heritage through engaging, hands-on experiences. Spend the day moving between booths and exhibits, discovering local collections, and meeting the people behind Niagara’s museums, archives, community history projects, and cultural organizations.

Interactive booths hosted by cultural heritage organizations, museums, community groups, and authors
Local artifacts and exhibit displays that bring Niagara’s history to life
Conversations with storytellers and heritage stewards
Family-friendly learning and discovery for all ages

Featured at Culture Crawl: Niagara in Focus
Developed, facilitated, and hosted by The Brown Homestead—in partnership with Niagara Geopark—Niagara in Focus is a community place-making project that invites residents to share one photograph capturing their relationship with Niagara.
Collected images will be curated by decade and displayed at Culture Crawl before moving to the Brown Homestead for ongoing community connection and reflection. Families are encouraged to explore their photo albums and bring forward the moments that reflect their Niagara roots—whether those roots are newly planted or generations deep.

Building a Future for All: Connecting Age-Friendly Strategies to Emerging Priorities Conference
2026-03-10 - 2026-03-12 | Virtual
The Canadian population is aging rapidly, making it imperative that our communities are ready to support the well-being and inclusion of older adults. As our collective attention is increasingly fragmented, we aim to:

Highlight how age-friendly work fits into big picture conversations; and
Enable attendees to strategically incorporate age-friendly talking points into their conversations.

Attendees will leave with a culture shift – an ability to leverage broader policy or structural level priorities to align with and further local age-friendly initiatives.
This event will integrate lived experience, research, and practice-based evidence to support age-friendly development. Additionally, there will be hands-on opportunities to build practical skills to support your own age-friendly work.
The event is intended for municipal staff, community leaders, people who work with older adults, policy makers, older adults, those in the age-friendly community and beyond.
This free three-day virtual event is organized into three themed days:

Day 1: Embracing the Opportunities of an Aging Society: Shifting perspectives, strengthening economies and supporting care.
Day 2: Building Age-Friendly Futures: Inclusive communities, technology, and climate resilience for all ages.
Day 3: Supporting Age-Friendly Community Initiatives: Funding and communications.

A note regarding registration:
After completing the form below, please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. Check spam/junk folders!
If you have any issues, please reach out to info@csah.ca

Ontario Trillium Foundation Youth Opportunities Fund System Innovations Grant Deadline
2026-03-11 17:00 | ON
The Youth Opportunities Fund (YOF) invests in community-led projects that play an essential role in creating safe spaces, empowering youth and families, supporting career pathways and addressing issues faced by our communities.
YOF prioritizes grassroots groups that are looking to address the experiences of Indigenous (First Nation, Metis or Inuit) and/or Black youth who continue to face systemic barriers and oppression.
Supporting grassroots groups and community-based collaboratives led by people who share identities, lived experiences and who face the same systemic barriers as those who will benefit from their projects is integral to YOF’s funding priorities. Projects led by and for communities play a key role in developing solutions that are tailored to the needs of communities and providing appropriate support for those with similar experiences.
Investments made through YOF extend beyond project funding. Grant recipients receive capacity building support to learn and grow through specialized coaching and mentorship.
Whether your group wants to pilot a new project or expand an existing one, YOF offers a range of grants that may be the right fit for your group.

Elders, Relations, and Housing
2026-03-12 09:30 - 10:30 | Online via Zoom
Métis Architect and Professor David Fortin will share insights on the role of elders in our cities and how integrated housing strategies play a crucial role in the future of our collective journey.

March Break screening of E.T.
2026-03-14 14:30 - 17:00 | First Ontario Performing Arts Centre, 250 St. Paul Street, St. Catharines, Ontario, L2r3m2, Canada
The Home Buying Team is hosting a FREE March Break screening of E.T. on March 14, 2026 at FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in St. Catharines.
Families are invited to kick off March Break with a nostalgic, kid-friendly film experience. The event begins at 2:30pm and is open to the public at no cost.
