The Joy of Birding: Winter

By enrolling in and participating in RBG educational public programs you agree to the following statements:

Classroom and Outdoor Programs Etiquette

RBG programs are educational in nature and everyone in the class or outdoor program deserves respect and the right to learn for the program they have paid for in a distraction-free environment;

Respect for the instructor and other registrants is required and expected;

Cell phones and other electronic devices should be muted or turned off prior to class / program start time. If you are waiting for an important phone call (e.g.: from a doctor) please let the instructor know before the commencement of the program and distance yourself from others when the call comes in;

If you disagree with what is being said or done in the program, please express yourself politely and considerately without using derogatory language. If an issue arises, please speak with the instructor before or after the program or communicate with the RBG directly.

If possible, arrive a few minutes before class begins. Have your supplies (if using supplies) and notebook ready and use the restroom prior to start time. Once the program starts, please stop having personal conversations. If you arrive late, quietly take your seat or place in the group;

You are not permitted to be in the classroom or program area until the designated start time of your program; please do not enter until a previous program has concluded.

Please wait until the end of the program to put supplies/notebooks away or to start up personal conversations.

Do not dominate other students’ opportunities to learn. Allow others to contribute comments and questions, and the instructor to reply without interruption.

Violence and Harassment

Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) is committed to building and preserving a safe and healthy environment for its employees, volunteers, visitors and program participants. RBG does not condone and will not tolerate harassment or acts of violence against, or by any RBG employee, volunteer, visitor or program participant. RBG will take every reasonable precaution and implement measures to prevent, investigate and correct harassment and violence and protect all from potentially violent situations.

Filming/Photography Release

Please be advised that all photos, audio-video, and static images taken at this experience may be used for exhibit, reproduction, and/or distribution for RBG related promotional use, including all forms of print, television advertisement, social media and /or website display. In consideration of your participation as a guest or attendee of this experience, you authorize Royal Botanical Gardens, its legal representatives, suppliers, invited media and assigns unrestricted right and permission to copyright and use such photos and images under their sole discretion. Royal Botanical Gardens, its legal representatives, suppliers, invited media and assigns are released without limitation of any claims for libel or invasion of privacy.

Thank you for enjoying programs and classes at Royal Botanical Gardens and allowing other participants the same opportunity.

Royal Botanical Gardens reserves the right to cancel any program if the minimum number of participants is not reached. Should RBG cancel a program, registrants are notified by email, and registrants are fully refunded.

We do not accept responsibility for inconvenience caused to those we cannot contact, whatever the reason.

10 business days prior to the registered program is the cut-off date for program refund requests by purchasers. Program registration changes or modification requests will be put in sequence to be processed. All changes to program registration are subject to a non-refundable administration fee:

More than 30 business days before the start of the registered program: Full refund or account credit less 10% of the registration fee.

30-11 business days prior to the start of the registered program: Full refund or account credit less 25% of the registration fee.

Within 10 business days prior to the start of the registered program: No refund or account credit provided.

Royal Botanical Gardens understands and respects the rights of all staff, volunteers, and program participants to be protected from infectious diseases.  Royal Botanical Gardens follows the public health and workplace safety measures and regulations as indicated by local public health units, local municipalities, and the Province of Ontario. As such, program participants are mandatorily required to adhere to the processes and policies that are put in place to mitigate the effects of infectious diseases.  Such processes and policies may include, but are not limited to: face coverings, daily medical screening, and social distancing. It is the right of Royal Botanical Gardens to restrict access to or remove from its programs and propertiesnany individual who does not adhere to such processes and policies.

We are vigilant in our concern for the health and safety of all participants. Participants are required to wash their hands frequently. If you are not feeling well, please stay home.

Up-to-date health and safety guidelines: Our staff and volunteers will comply with all organization, municipal, and provincial health guidelines, and will update guidelines as needed. Royal Botanical Gardens will make aware all program participants of required actions and measures in a reasonable amount of time before the start of a program if and as regulations change within a program’s run time.

The course cancellation policy applies to all sessions. It is your responsibility to ensure you can attend the program dates and times you have registered for.

Royal Botanical Gardens staff are not responsible for waiting or making up time for participants who arrive late after the program’s start time. It is your responsibility to ensure you arrive at the program at or before the advised arrival time.

Royal Botanical Gardens assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to property, or for personal injury or mishap; all activities are at the risk of the participant. RBG reserves the right to change/cancel events should circumstances beyond our control arise.

Although we love animals, please leave your pets at home when attending our public programs. Certified service and guide animals are permitted.