Adopt A Patch

We work closely with each group to assess participants’ age, attention span, physical ability, and comfort with safe tool use. Based on this assessment, we match your group with a suitable Patch and introduce restoration activities that align with your group’s skill level and needs. 

Activities are adapted to ensure a safe, positive, and engaging experience for everyone. As participants build knowledge and confidence over time, additional restoration activities and responsibilities can be introduced. 

Adopt A Patch supports multi‑year commitments, which allow for the greatest ecological impact, but one‑year trials are also available. Weekly to monthly visits are ideal for keeping up with the growth in your Patch, but visit frequency is flexible and designed in collaboration with each group to fit their schedule and goals.

Group size can vary depending on participant age, ability, and level of independence.

Smaller groups are often more appropriate when participants need extra support, while more experienced or independent groups can work effectively in larger numbers. Most Adopt A Patch groups range from 5 to 50 participants, and we’ll help determine the best fit for your group. 

Yes. Groups can take breaks as needed to fit their schedules, including school holidays or summer breaks, as long as this is communicated in advance with the supporting Swan Lake staff member.

While restoration is a year‑round activity, groups who prefer fair‑weather programming can choose to focus their visits during the early fall, spring, and summer months. 

Restoration work is moderately physical and can involve bending, pulling, digging, and clipping plants. We do our best to accommodate different abilities by selecting Patches and activities that suit your group—for example, choosing areas that allow for more upright work and less ground‑level digging when needed. 

While we aim to be inclusive, some physical exertion is required. We recommend keeping this in mind when choosing your session length, as longer sessions (such as 2 hours of pulling invasives) can be tiring. 

One hour to 90 minutes is ideal, though other session lengths can be accommodated depending on group needs, energy levels, and experience.

Restoration work focuses primarily on removing invasive species, which is essential for protecting and restoring native habitats.

Participants also learn about native plants and site ecology and may support native plant care where appropriate. Over time, groups improve local biodiversity through hands‑on work, observation, and simple monitoring of their Patch. 

Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary provides training, tools, and ongoing support to help your group restore your Patch safely and effectively. This includes restoration tools (such as gloves, clippers, and garbage bags), safety training, site orientation, plant identification guidance, and proper disposal of invasive plant material. 

Staff are present for initial onboarding and guided sessions to ensure participants are comfortable with restoration techniques and safe tool use. As groups build confidence and skills, particularly with plant identification and restoration methods, they transition to working more independently. At that stage, Swan Lake staff will check in regularly and attend sessions periodically, rather than being present every time. This approach supports skill‑building, stewardship, and long‑term capacity while ensuring groups continue to feel supported.