Stewards cutting down Japanese knotweed at Middle Mills, 2021

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 ParkWednesday 9:00-11:00 AM
(Rain date Thursday 9:00-11:00 AM)
Thursday 6:30-8:30 PM
Betty Sutherland Trail ParkEvery other Sunday (Check the Betty Sutherland site calendar)
Black Creek ParklandTBD
Botany Hill ParkTBD
Birkdale RavineThursday 6:00-8:00 PM
Friday 6:00-8:00 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Cedar Brook ParkTBD
Cedarvale RavineTBD
Cherry BeachWednesday 9:00-11:30 AM
Saturday 9:00-11:30 AM from April 1 to November 15.
Monday 6:00-8:00 PM from June 1 to September 30.
Christie Pits ParkTBD
Edgeley ParkTBD
Elmcrest ParkWednesday 5:00-7:00 PM
Etobicoke Creek Valley ParkTBD
Flemingdon ParkThursday 6:30-8:30 PM (every other week starting Apr 24)
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 ParkWednesday 5:00-7:00 PM (Starting Apr 30)
Hillcrest ParkThursday 6:00-8:00 PM
Hinder PropertyTBD
Hoptree-Misty HillsTBD
Humber Bay Park WestFirst event mid-May
Janellan ParkWednesday 5:30-7:00 PM (Starting May 7)
King’s Mill Park SouthTBD
Lake PromenadeTuesday 6:00-8:00 PM
Leaside ParkMonday 5:30-7:00 PM (Starting Apr 28)
Magwood ParkTBD
Middle MillTuesday 5:30-7:30 PM
Wednesday 9:00-11:00 AM
Thursday 5:30-7:30 PM
Milliken District ParkTBD
Newtonbrook Creek Thursday 9:00-11:00 AM (Starting April 24)
NorthlineWednesday 6:30-8:30 PM (Starting in April)
Port Union Waterfront TrailSunday 2:00-4:00 PM
Prairie Drive ParkSaturday 10:00 AM-12:00 PM (every other week starting Apr 26)
Raymore ParkTBD
Rowntree Mills ParkTBD
Roxborough Parkette N.Tuesday 7:00-9:00 PM (Start date TBD)
Serena Gundy ParkTBD
Severn CreekFriday 6:00-8:00 PM
Sherwood ParkThursday 8:30-10:30 AM
Smythe ParkTBD
South KingswayWednesday 9:00-11:00 AM
Sunnypoint-Neilson ParkTuesday 7:00 PM
Taylor Creek ParkThursday 6:30-8:00 PM (every other week starting May 1)
Thomson Memorial ParkTuesday 6:30-8:00 PM
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.