What is green and roughly the size of the city of Paris, France? If you guessed Toronto’s natural areas, you’d be correct. Spanning over 11,000 hectares (or 110 square kilometers), they:
Support the livelihood and wellbeing of over 3 million people
Provide homes for plants and animals
Regulate nutrient and water cycles
Protect us against flooding and erosion
Despite their significance, Toronto’s natural areas are at an ecological tipping point. Invasive species, climate change, overuse, development pressures, and excessive litter threaten the future of the city’s ravines and natural areas.
How Can You Help?
When you join Toronto Nature Stewards (TNS) as a volunteer, you join a community of hundreds of other nature restoration volunteers passionate about building urban ecosystems that are self-sustaining. Spread over 53 public sites, our volunteers remove harmful plants, plant native species, remove trash, and educate others in their community about natural ecosystems.
Let’s work together to ensure that our ravines and natural areas thrive.
Toronto Nature Stewards is hosted by the Institute of Forestry & Conservation in the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design
The continuing support of the Smith Urban Forest Health Lab at the Institute of Forestry & Conservation in the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design at the University of Toronto is gratefully acknowledged. By providing a home for Toronto Nature Stewards, the Faculty continues to lead by example in building a more sustainable urban future for all of us.
Upcoming Events
October2026
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Bird Mobile Making
Bird Mobile Making
October 3, 202610:30 am - 12:00 pm Glen Stewart Park - north end
Organizer(s): Cherie Daly and Enjoy the Process Art (Cassidy Tsang)
For more details, contact: friendsofglenstewartravine@gmail.com
October 4, 2026 Morningside Park, 390 Morningside Avenue, Scarborough
Organizer(s): Salima Pirani
For more details, contact: sal.pirani@gmail.com
The Adventures of Salmon is a free, family-friendly autumn event hosted by TRCA at Morningside Park, Scarborough. It celebrates the yearly fall salmon migration up Highland Creek. Participate in with Salmon watching, guided walks, fishing demos, learn about Salmon species, life cycles and migration, aquatic monitoring, the Meadoway, and experience Indigenous storytelling and crafting. TNS will participate for the 3rd year with a tent featuring native plant seed giveaways, kids' games, information on native and invasive plants, ecological restoration, stewarding and volunteering.
October 4, 202610:00 am - 11:30 am We will meet on the “Ramp”, the dark green pedestrian footbridge that goes over Carstowe Rd at MacLennan Ave. You can find the exact location here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NzNwcDh5At71iGzR7?g_st=ac
Organizer(s): John Oyston
For more details, contact: johnpoyston@gmail.com
Full details at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/walking-tour-of-carstowe-road-park-tickets-1998381255129?aff=oddtdtcreator
Ecological Restoration Planting with Nikibii Dawadinna Giigwag
Ecological Restoration Planting with Nikibii Dawadinna Giigwag
October 18, 202610:30 am - 2:00 pm University of Toronto Scarborough Tennis Centre, 130 Old Kingston Road Toronto, ON M1E 3J5
Organizer(s): Nikibii Dawadinna Giigwag
For more details, contact: Need to register via eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ecological-restoration-planting-with-nikibii-dawadinna-giigwag-tickets-2002357281531?aff=oddtdtcreator
