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.
| Site | 2025 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 | Every other Sunday (Check the Betty Sutherland site calendar) |
| Black Creek Parkland | TBD |
| Botany Hill Park | TBD |
| Birkdale Ravine | Thursday 6:00-8:00 PM Friday 6:00-8:00 PM Saturday 10:00 AM-12:00 PM |
| Cedar Brook Park | TBD |
| Cedarvale Ravine | TBD |
| Cherry Beach | Wednesday 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 Park | TBD |
| Edgeley Park | TBD |
| Elmcrest Park | Wednesday 5:00-7:00 PM |
| Etobicoke Creek Valley Park | TBD |
| Flemingdon Park | Thursday 6:30-8:30 PM (every other week starting Apr 24) |
| Franklin Children’s Garden | TBD |
| G Ross Lord Park | TBD |
| Gaffney Park | TBD |
| Glen Stewart Park | Tuesday 10:00 AM-12:00 PM (Starting May 6) Wednesday 10:00 AM-12:00 PM |
| Highland Creek Park | Wednesday 5:00-7:00 PM (Starting Apr 30) |
| Hillcrest Park | Thursday 6:00-8:00 PM |
| Hinder Property | TBD |
| Hoptree-Misty Hills | TBD |
| Humber Bay Park West | First event mid-May |
| Janellan Park | Wednesday 5:30-7:00 PM (Starting May 7) |
| King’s Mill Park South | TBD |
| Lake Promenade | Tuesday 6:00-8:00 PM |
| Leaside Park | Monday 5:30-7:00 PM (Starting Apr 28) |
| Magwood Park | TBD |
| Middle Mill | Tuesday 5:30-7:30 PM Wednesday 9:00-11:00 AM Thursday 5:30-7:30 PM |
| Milliken District Park | TBD |
| Newtonbrook Creek | Thursday 9:00-11:00 AM (Starting April 24) |
| Northline | Wednesday 6:30-8:30 PM (Starting in April) |
| Port Union Waterfront Trail | Sunday 2:00-4:00 PM |
| Prairie Drive Park | Saturday 10:00 AM-12:00 PM (every other week starting Apr 26) |
| Raymore Park | TBD |
| Rowntree Mills Park | TBD |
| Roxborough Parkette N. | Tuesday 7:00-9:00 PM (Start date TBD) |
| Serena Gundy Park | Monday 2:00-4:00 PM |
| Severn Creek | Friday 6:00-8:00 PM |
| Sherwood Park | Thursday 8:30-10:30 AM |
| Smythe Park | TBD |
| South Kingsway | Wednesday 9:00-11:00 AM |
| Sunnypoint-Neilson Park | Tuesday 7:00 PM |
| Taylor Creek Park | Thursday 6:30-8:00 PM (every other week starting May 1) |
| Thomson Memorial Park | Tuesday 6:30-8:00 PM |
| Tom Riley Park | TBD |
| Tommy Thompson Park | Monday 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 Pond | TBD |
| 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.