VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO HELP RESTORE THE
NATURAL BEAUTY OF LEASIDE PARK

People who live in Toronto have 6,600 hectares of public open space in parks and ravines that they can use for walking, picnicking, birdwatching and other types of outdoor recreation. This land used to be covered in native plants that supported a wide range of butterflies, birds and other creatures.

In modern times, garbage, misuse and, importantly, invasive species (weeds that humans have brought from other countries that have spread widely) have reduced the space that should be supporting beautiful Ontario native plants. Without these plants, we have fewer native animals, such as butterflies and birds.

Three years ago, Toronto Nature Stewards (TNS) started work to restore nature on city land with the support and cooperation of the City of Toronto. We now have 100 lead stewards supervising about five hundred volunteers, working to remove litter and invasive plants from 30 sites in Toronto, totalling 74 hectares. In 2023, Leaside Park is being added as another TNS Stewardship site.

I am John Oyston, the Lead Steward in Training for Leaside Park. I am looking for up to ten people to help me improve the natural beauty of Leaside Park.

We would work together for about two hours most weeks in summer and fall, removing litter and invasive plants and encouraging native plants to grow. This is free, and all equipment and training will be provided. It may be a great chance to get some gentle outdoor exercise, meet new people, learn about nature in Canada, and make your neighbourhood more beautiful.

For more information about Toronto Nature Stewards, please visit https://torontonaturestewards.org. For information about volunteering at Leaside Park, please get in touch with John Oyston at johnpoyston@gmail.com.