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 2024. Schedules are subject to change at any time.
| Site | Schedule |
| Ashbridge’s Bay Park | Wednesday 9:00-11:00 AM (rain date Thursday 9:00-11:00 AM) Thursday 6:30-8:30 PM |
| Betty Sutherland Trail Park | Variable (check the Betty Sutherland site calendar) |
| Black Creek Parkland | TBD |
| Botany Hill Park | Tuesday 5:15-6:30 PM |
| Birkdale Ravine | Thursday 5:00-7:00 PM Friday 5:00-7:00 PM Sunday 9:30-11:30 AM |
| Cedar Brook Park | Monday 5:00-7:00 PM |
| Cedarvale Ravine | Monday 6:30-8:30 PM Sunday or Saturday 9:00-11:00 AM (date varies) |
| Cherry Beach | Monday 6:00-8:00 PM Wednesday 9:00-11:30 AM Saturday 9:00-11:30 AM |
| Edgeley Park | TBD |
| Etobicoke Creek Valley Park | Thursday 6:00-8:00 PM Weekday Daytime TBD |
| Flemingdon Park | Thursday 6:30-8:30 PM (biweekly) |
| G Ross Lord Park | TBD |
| Gaffney Park | Wednesday 6:30-8:00 PM |
| Glen Stewart Park | Tuesday 9:30-11:30 AM Thursday 9:30-11:30 AM |
| Highland Creek Park | Wednesday 5:00-7:00 PM |
| Hillcrest Park | Monday 9:00-11:00 AM Thursday 6:00-7:00 PM (until Oct 24) |
| Hinder Property | TBD |
| Hoptree-Misty Hills | Tuesday 5:30-7:30 PM |
| Humber Bay Park West | Wednesday 5:00-7:00 PM |
| Lake Promenade | Monday 6:00-8:00 PM |
| Leaside Park | Tuesday 5:30-7:00 PM |
| Magwood Park | Tuesday 5:00-7:00 PM Sunday 10:00 AM-12:00 PM |
| Middle Mill | Wednesday 10:00 AM-12:00 PM Thursday 5:30-7:30 PM Sunday 9:00-11:00 AM |
| Milliken District Park | Friday 6:00-8:00 PM Sunday 3:00-5:00 PM (biweekly) |
| Newtonbrook Creek | Thursday 9:00-11:00 AM |
| Northline | Wednesday 6:30-8:30 PM |
| Port Union Waterfront Trail | Sunday 1:00-3:00 PM |
| Prairie Drive Park | Saturday 10:00 AM-12:00 PM (biweekly) Sunday 1:00 PM-4:00 PM (only April 28, May 26, June 9) |
| Raymore Park | TBD |
| Rowntree Mills Park | Saturday 5:45-6:45 PM |
| Roxborough Parkette N. | Monday 6:30-8:30 PM |
| Serena Gundy Park | Monday 9:30-11:30 AM |
| Severn Creek | Wednesday 6:00-8:00 PM |
| Sherwood Park | Thursday 8:30-11:00 AM |
| Smythe Park | TBD |
| South Kingsway | Wednesday 9:00-11:00 AM |
| Sunnypoint-Neilson Park | Tuesday 7:00-8:30 PM |
| Taylor Creek Park | Wednesday 6:00-8:00 PM (biweekly) |
| Thomson Memorial Park | Tuesday 6:30-8:00 PM |
| Tom Riley Park | TBD |
| Topham Pond | Monday 6:30-8:30 PM Wednesday 9:30-11:30 AM Saturday 10:00 AM-12:00 PM |
| Weston Lions Park | TBD |
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.
Unsupervised Stewardship – Stewardship activities that are led by Lead Stewards without supervision by City of Toronto staff.