Become a Steward

Toronto Nature Stewards (TNS) aims to take our stewardship further—our agreement with the City of Toronto allows for stewardship of select natural areas without direct supervision by City of Toronto staff. Stewards work under the direction of Lead Stewards

What do you gain as a Steward?

  • Learn to identify native and invasive plants
  • Collaborate and build a team while meeting new people
  • Gain problem-solving skills and volunteer hours
  • Have fun and enjoy some “nature therapy”

How do I become a Steward?

Look at our sites and schedules (below) and pick a time and place that suits you. Once you’ve registered, you’ll be contacted by the Lead Steward(s) at your chosen site. Most sites run regular events from April to October, but new Stewards can join at any time!

Please note that at this time of year, most of our sites have ceased regular stewardship activities for the winter. Regular activities will resume in spring of 2025.

You must be 16 years or over to volunteer on your own. Otherwise, you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Sites and Schedules

Below are our sites and schedules for 2025. Schedules are subject to change at any time.

Site2025 Schedule
Ashbridge’s Bay ParkTBD
Betty Sutherland Trail ParkVariable (check the Betty Sutherland site calendar)
Black Creek ParklandTBD
Botany Hill ParkTBD
Birkdale RavineTBD
Cedar Brook ParkTBD
Cedarvale RavineTBD
Cherry BeachTBD
Christie Pits ParkTBD
Edgeley ParkTBD
Elmcrest ParkTBD
Etobicoke Creek Valley ParkTBD
Flemingdon ParkTBD
Franklin Children’s GardenTBD
G Ross Lord ParkTBD
Gaffney ParkTBD
Glen Stewart ParkTuesday 10:00 AM-12:00 PM (Starting May 6)
Wednesday 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Highland Creek ParkTBD
Hillcrest ParkTBD
Hinder PropertyTBD
Hoptree-Misty HillsTBD
Humber Bay Park WestTBD
Janellan ParkTBD
King’s Mill Park SouthTBD
Lake PromenadeTBD
Leaside ParkTBD
Magwood ParkTBD
Middle MillTBD
Milliken District ParkTBD
Newtonbrook Creek TBD
NorthlineTBD
Port Union Waterfront TrailTBD
Prairie Drive ParkTBD
Raymore ParkTBD
Rowntree Mills ParkTBD
Roxborough Parkette N.TBD
Serena Gundy ParkTBD
Severn CreekTBD
Sherwood ParkTBD
Smythe ParkTBD
South KingswayTBD
Sunnypoint-Neilson ParkTBD
Taylor Creek ParkTBD
Thomson Memorial ParkTBD
Tom Riley ParkTBD
Tommy Thompson ParkMonday 6:00-8:00 PM (litter picking along shoreline)
Tuesday 8:00-11:00 AM
Wednesday 5:00-8:00 PM
Saturday 9:30-12:30 AM
Topham PondTBD
Weston Lions ParkTBD

By filling in our stewardship or contact forms you are giving TNS permission to contact you via email. We share our email list with Lead Stewards so that they can send emails for their site events.

Defining some terms

Lead Steward – A person who has completed the TNS Lead Steward training program and who can lead groups of volunteer Stewards in pre-authorized activities, at approved sites on public land, without City of Toronto supervision.

Site – Defined geographic area in a park or ravine that has been approved by the City of Toronto and stewarded by a defined team. Sites are natural areas (not groomed).

Steward – A volunteer who works to protect, restore, maintain, and monitor Toronto’s natural areas and ravines, under the direction of a Lead Steward.