Conservation Volunteering Toronto

Garden Volunteering at Garden@Kimbourne

🌱 **Community Garden Volunteering at Garden@Kimbourne** More than 1 in 10 Torontonians rely on food banks right now. Half of what grows in this garden goes straight to one in Toronto's east end. We're looking for 5 to 10 people to come dig in, literally. New or experienced, doesn't matter. No skills needed, just intention to show up. You'll help with: ✦ Watering, weeding, harvesting ✦ Pruning, sowing, transplanting ✦ Removing invasive species ✦ Mixing soil and compost ✦ Sign painting and light carpentry for raised beds You'll pick up real permaculture basics along the way. And the food you help grow goes to people who need it this week, not someday. **Three steps to join** (takes a few minutes total): 1. Register with Toronto Joy (one-time): name, emergency contact, quick agreement checkbox. Register here: [https://torontojoy.org/register/](https://torontojoy.org/register/) 2\. Find this event on our Events page and click "Register\." Event page: [https://torontojoy.org/event/garden-volunteering-at-gardenkimbourne/](https://torontojoy.org/event/garden-volunteering-at-gardenkimbourne/) 3\. Fill out the short Garden Participation form on the event page\. If you sign up, please plan to actually show up. Spots are limited to 5-10 so we can keep it hands-on. **Good to know** ✦ Gloves and tools provided ✦ Closed-toe shoes recommended ✦ Bring your own sunscreen and water ✦ Meeting point: side lawn of Kimbourne Park United, 200 Wolverleigh Blvd ✦ Parking: street parking Come dig in.

✨ Volunteering: Food Bank

We’re hosting a volunteer event with the Daily Bread Food Bank 💛, one of **Toronto’s largest charities**, which supports people facing difficult circumstances every day. We’ll be **sorting food** 🥕🥫📦 and, if needed, helping to prepare it for distribution. This is hands-on help that directly impacts someone’s daily life. **No special experience or skills are required.** All that matters is your willingness to get involved and donate a few hours of your time. ⏰ **Time:** 9:50 AM to 12:00 PM 💬 **Coordinator:** Kate 💜 **Participation is free** ⚠ Age requirement: 15 and older ❗ Before participating, you must **review the mandatory form from Daily Bread.** You can sign it on-site, but it’s important to read the document in advance. We’ll send the link via the bot after registration. **Register on [TryToronto website](https://trytoronto.org/events/food-bank-sep)** **Our Instagram: [@try_toronto_](https://www.instagram.com/try_toronto_)**

Event equipment carry and set up volunteers

Need 3-5 volunteers depending on how many nets we will need Sign up here if you want to volunteer to help with equipment and set up in the morning. Volunteers will come early before the event start to help carry equipment and set up nets. Volunteers please arrive early at the assigned time and place. Meeting time will be up to an hour before the event start time. Volunteers will play for free and will get additional perks. Number of volunteers needed will depend on how many nets are required. Regular volunteers will get preference. **Please only sign up to volunteer if you are attending the event for sure.** Please answer the RSVP question and add yourself to the waiting list and I will add you if you’re needed as a volunteer and I will contact you to confirm with details. Once confirmed you will be added as a volunteer

Now For Something Arty!

**Meetup: St. Mathews Clubhouse; 450 Broadview Ave.** So while we have a day event on the 27th, if you have an arty side, continue your day by joining me at St. Mathew's Clubhouse for an arty experience. While many of you know I am a writer by trade, I am also a painter. I'm just an arty girl! I have put together an Art Collective with 6 artists along with myself to showcase and of course sell our work but also enjoy Art, Wine & Inspiration — Come Create With Us! 🍷 Join us for a free collective art show celebrating creativity, connection and the joy of making art. And why just look at art when you can explore your own creativity too? Come discover what inspires you, try something new, and let your imagination wander. ✨ Art to explore. 🍷 Wine to enjoy; nibbles to share. 🥂 Hear from the.artists! 🎨 Creativity to discover. 💫 And best of all — it’s FREE

Hello Fall Colours: Dorset Hike & Lookout Tower

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/dorset-hike-and-lookout)** **Not every good trail makes it into a guidebook, and this hidden gem sure hasn't.** Tucked just southwest of Algonquin, it's a route we keep close for our members: rolling rock outcrops, quiet beaver ponds, and wide ridges that open into sweeping views when you least expect them. In September, the whole forest turns to a radiant display of red, orange, and gold; the kind of colours that makes you stop mid-stride. Welcome to fall in Ontario. We'll cover 7.5 km at a comfortable pace, with plenty of time to take it in before stopping for lunch at one of the best views on the route. It's a moderate hike, and a solid choice if this is your first time out on trail. From the trailhead, it's a short drive to Dorset. The tower was first built in 1922 as a fire lookout and rebuilt in 1967 into the structure that stands today. Climbing to the top puts you level with the treetops and gives you a panorama of the hills and lakes around Lake of Bays, all dressed in their fall colours. It's one of Ontario's most recognizable lookouts, offering a totally different perspective after a morning spent within the tree canopy. **Please note that anyone not taking the WU transportation will need to purchase their own tower access pass.** ‍ **Accessibility** Wilderness Union is committed to making our adventures as accessible as possible. If you wish to make an accommodation request relating to a disability or provide feedback, please do so by sending an email to [info@wildernessunion.com](mailto:info@wildernessunion.com) **Highlights** **The Lookout Tower Climb:** The observation deck sits 142 metres above Lake of Bays, with a 360 degree view over the surrounding hills and lakes. **A Trail Off the Map:** A quiet, little-known route kept for Wilderness Union members, far from the lineups that build up around Dorset in the fall. **Fall Colours:** Red, orange, and gold scattered across the Canadian Shield. **Event cost: $75+HST (for explorer members) + $60 optional transport available.** **Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/dorset-hike-and-lookout)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

GO Train Hike - Unionville/Markham

he villages of Unionville & Markham are connected by the Rouge Valley Trail System following the Rouge River and running behind the historic buildings on Main Street Unionville, by Walden Pond in Austin Drive Park, through Milne Dam Conservation Area, and ending with a 143 metre long suspension bridge over the dam. We will walk into the village of Markham and finish with a short boardwalk trail through Tannery Pond which is close to the Markham GO Station. We begin the hike at Unionville GO Station hiking north to the historic Main Street and picking up the Rouge Valley Trail at Carlton Road. Return to Toronto or the starting point by GO Train or York Region Transit bus. Optional stop at the Rouge River Craft Brewery after the hike. Terrain is easy, mostly paved path/boardwalk with some dirt trails. On The Go Maps Link: [https://onthegomap.com/s/g5rhpj1s](https://onthegomap.com/s/g5rhpj1s) Bring lunch, water, snacks, hat. and insect repellant. Please register on the Bruce Trail Conservancy website at: [https://hikes.brucetrail.org/event/go-train-hike-unionville-markham-rouge-river-trail-2/2026-09-13/](https://hikes.brucetrail.org/event/go-train-hike-unionville-markham-rouge-river-trail-2/2026-09-13/)

Frontenac Fall Colours Hike

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/fall-colours-frontenac)** **A true member favourite returns! While the crowds flock to Algonquin to view fall colours, Frontenac is where it's really at.** By late September, the first maples along this loop are already turning red and gold against bare granite, weeks ahead of peak colour further south. That granite is part of the Frontenac Arch, a two-billion-year-old ridge connecting the Canadian Shield to the Adirondacks, and it's what gives this loop its particular look in fall. The Cedar Lake South Loop runs about 9km through a mix of open granite, rooted forest trails, and genuine wetland: expect boggy sections, small ponds, and stretches where the water clearly has the upper hand on the trail. Frontenac sits at an ecological crossover point, where northern species like spruce and balsam fir grow next to southern hardwoods like sugar maple, red oak, and yellow birch. That mix means a wider range of fall colour than you'd get from a single-species forest: deep red, burnt orange, and gold, all held together by the seasonal consistency of the dark green conifers. By the time we're back at the vehicles, you'll have spent the day walking through some of the best fall colours eastern Ontario has to offer! **Self drivers please note** \- Frontenac is at least a 3hr drive and requires a $15 day pass \- you're strongly recommended to choose the transport option for this trip\. The day pass is included for anyone riding in the van\. ‍ **Accessibility** Wilderness Union is committed to making our adventures as accessible as possible. If you wish to make an accommodation request relating to a disability or provide feedback, please do so by sending an email to [info@wildernessunion.com](mailto:info@wildernessunion.com) **Highlights** **Stunning Fall Colours:** Red and gold hardwoods press right up against bare granite, the loop's sharpest colour contrast. **Doe Lake Lookout:** A gap in the trees opens onto the full length of Doe Lake, framed by granite shoreline and turning hardwoods. **Away from the Crowds:** Lesser known spot to enjoy the Fall colours. **Event cost: $75+HST (for explorer members). Optional transportation available.** **Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/fall-colours-frontenac)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

Barbecue and Hike through Tommy Thompson Park.

Location: Meet at the entrance of Tommy Thompson Park -Leslie Street Spit **It's time to have some fun!** What better way to celebrate the end of Summer with a barbecue by the lake. Join us for burgers and drinks **under the tents** and on the water at Ashbridges Bay for burgers and drinks! ($10. For a burger and drink.) After a 8km hike (with some fun things happening along the way) at Tommy Thompson Park we will head to Ashbridges Bay for burgers- veggie and meat. Feel free to bring alcoholic beverages, and board games - We will have a beach ball. Tommy Thompson Park is a man-made urban wilderness and wildlife sanctuary built on the Leslie Street Spit, stretching 5 kilometers to Lake Ontario. Managed by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, this unique park offers a peaceful escape from the city with a mix of wetlands, meadows, and trails. A unique place near downtown Toronto to experience nature, and *one of the best places for bird-watching in the city*, with more than 300 recorded species!

Wilder Series: The Provoking Lake Loop

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/provoking-lake)** **Most people take two days to walk around Provoking Lake. We are doing it in one.** This one's part of our Wilder series, our lineup of challenging adventures for those chasing bigger, more grueling and more rewarding days out. We’ll be taking on Loop 1 of the Algonquin's Highland Backpacking Trail, The trail circles Provoking Lake through classic Algonquin forest, roots, rock, and enough elevation change to keep your attention the whole way around, covering 21.5km by the time we're back at the car. You will pass a couple of lookouts over the lake and the surrounding hills, and long stretches where the loudest thing around is a woodpecker or your own footsteps. Backcountry campsites dot the shoreline the whole way around, a quiet preview of what a multi-day trip on this trail could look like down the road. Twenty one kilometres of Algonquin backcountry, done in a day. Are you up for it? **Due to increased demand for daily vehicle permits in fall, all members will be required to take our transport for this adventure. The cost of transport is included in the cost of this adventure.** ‍ **Accessibility** Wilderness Union is committed to making our adventures as accessible as possible. If you wish to make an accommodation request relating to a disability or provide feedback, please do so by sending an email to [info@wildernessunion.com](mailto:info@wildernessunion.com) **Highlights** **Provoking Lake Lookouts:** A couple of clearings along the loop open up over the lake and the surrounding hills. **A Real Physical Test:** 21km and over 800 metres of climbing in a single day. Come ready to work for it. **Wildlife Country:** Moose and loons are regulars around Provoking Lake, keep your eyes open. **Event cost: $130+HST (for explorer members)** **Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/provoking-lake)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

Volunteer for bagel tasting

Algonquin Voyageur Canoe Paddle

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/voyageur-paddle)** **Prepare for a truly unique paddling adventure, as you take on a beautiful route in two epic voyageur canoes.** Adapted from traditional canoes designed by Indigenous communities, these 10-person voyageur canoes were used for many years to carry people and supplies. Now, you’ll get the opportunity with a full crew to try your luck at navigating these vessels through the beautiful waters of Algonquin. We'll meet at Algonquin Outfitters on Oxtongue Lake to begin our journey... You’ll be split into two canoes and follow a winding, 15km route down the lake and onto the river. Be sure to watch the shoreline for dense pines and the odd cottage tucked into the trees. Getting a big canoe to move well takes real teamwork, and with two crews on the water, don't be surprised if the paddle turns into a friendly race. It's a full day on the water with the people beside you, calling out strokes, laughing at whoever falls out of rhythm, and figuring out together how to steer 8 metres of canoe. **Accessibility** Wilderness Union is committed to making our adventures as accessible as possible. If you wish to make an accommodation request relating to a disability or provide feedback, please do so by sending an email to info@wildernessunion.com **Highlights** **The Voyageur Canoe: **An 8 metre canoe paddled by a full crew instead of a pair. **Sandy Beaches:** Discover lakeside sandy beaches contrasting the granite cliffs. **Oxtongue Lake: **Sandy shoreline and clear water at the doorstep of Algonquin Park **Event cost: $110+HST (for explorer members) + $60 optional transport available.** **Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/voyageur-paddle)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

Canoe Camping in Killarney 2

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/killarney-camping-2)** **Dive into the Killarney backcountry with this beautiful and beginner friendly canoe camping adventure.** We're heading to Bell Lake, on the quieter east side of the park, for a weekend that mixes an easy paddle-in camping trip and an incredible hike to Silver Peak, the highest point in Killarney. Friday, we'll paddle the short 2.5km crossing to our backcountry site, set up camp, and spend the afternoon settling in. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend how you like. If you want to learn to pitch a tent, get a fire going properly, or handle a canoe, we'll show you. If you'd rather find a rock in the sun and do nothing, that works too. Saturday, you can chill around camp or paddle over and hike Silver Peak, the highest point in the park. It's a roughly 11km round trip, starting on an easy rolling trail before a steep, hands on scramble up exposed quartzite for the final push. At the top, you're rewarded with a 360 degree view over Killarney's white ridges and out to Georgian Bay. Trust us, you won’t get many views in Ontario that are better than this! Both nights, we'll eat around the fire and fall asleep under some of the clearest skies in Ontario. Killarney's stargazing is genuinely other-worldly. On a clear night you'll see the Milky Way and more stars than you knew existed. Sunday, we pack up and paddle back out. By Sunday, you'll have spent two days swimming, paddling, and sleeping under the stars, surrounded by Killarney's unmistakable landscapes. What's included * Professional & certified guides * ‍All camp meals, cooking equipment and mess kits * ‍Tents * Canoe rentals Sleeping bags and sleep pads can be rented from WU for a small fee. **Highlights** **Silver Peak Summit:** The highest point in Killarney, with sweeping views over the range and out to Georgian Bay **Stargazing:** With some of the darkest skies in Ontario, the Milky Way is in full view on a clear night **Lake Swimming:** Cool off in clear water, or take the canoe out for a closer look at the shoreline **Event cost: $455+HST (for explorer members) - $70 optional transport available.** **Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/killarney-camping-2)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***