Conservation Volunteering Toronto

Beautiful Awenda Park - hike, lay on the beach, swim - repeat

Awenda Park is one of the best provincial parks. it has beautiful beaches on Georgian Bay and great hiking trails. It is close to great attractions like the Wye Marsh and Sainte Marie Among the Hurons. **Important Reminder:** By participating in this hike, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to the Liability Waiver and Acknowledgement of Risk. If you have not done so, we kindly request that you refrain from participating in this event. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to an enjoyable and safe adventure! • Dress for the weather! Prepare for the weather and wear suitable gear for the trail • Arrive on time! Please be punctual, as the group will leave on time. • Know your limits! Choose the hike that match your fitness level. This is an intermediate hike. We will meet in the parking lot at 8:30 am. https://maps.app.goo.gl/x1Dn9SPXNs1J9FAb6 We'll go to Beach to # 3 and enjoy the beach and the amazing water and then after lunch go on a hike. Pack a lunch and snacks, sunscreen, bug spray and a lot of water. There is a park entrance fee/car. You may consider carpooling. If you get lost, call my cell 647 949 6912.

Survivalist Series: Introduction to Camp Skills

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/intro-bushcraft)** **Behold the profound utility of plants!** Long before rope, tools, and construction materials came off a shelf, it came from the land: twisted from roots, stripped from bark, and spun from plant fiber. This one-day workshop introduces you to the concepts of bushcraft, how to source raw materials straight from the wild and how to make them into things you need to survive. You'll learn to see the forest differently and walk away with the skills (and a few finished pieces) to prove it. **You will learn:** * How to identify and ethically harvest plants * How to process these materials to create survival essentials * Basic structures and tools that can be easily built, to improve wilderness convenience and quality of life. * How to apply bushcraft concepts to meal preparation and cooking. * The principles of sustainable bushcraft: what to take, what to leave, and how to harvest without depleting the source **Who It's For**: Anyone looking to build on their outdoor skills with hands-on, practical craft. No prior experience required, though this pairs well with our Foraging workshop for those looking to round out their plant knowledge. **About this Series**: The Survivalist Series is an expert-led set of courses designed to develop applicable and life-saving skills in the outdoors. Keep your eyes peeled for more courses on many other topics as they become available. **Highlights** **Plant Fiber Cordage:** Twist raw fiber into cordage strong enough to lash a shelter frame or hang a pack. And you will be able to bring some home! **Ethical Harvesting:** Learn to read a plant before you touch it, and how much you can take without setting the population back. **Expert Instruction:** Your amazing expert guide will teach you everything you need to know in a safe and approachable way. **Event cost: $80+HST (for explorer members) - $30 optional transport available.** **Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/intro-bushcraft)** **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/)***

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

Filming Monarch Butterflies

We are going to film monarch butterflies! Every year, monarch butterflies gather here to prepare for their extraordinary southbound migration to Mexico. Late August is the peak time to see that transition, offering rare opportunities to film colorful close-ups, aerial courtships, and, with some luck, the first signs of their epic mass migration. Other possible sightings include swallows and great blue herons.

Beach Volleyball All level Learn and Play

Join our WhatsApp group [https://chat.whatsapp.com/F7838OJWfkiAlMEyNffVfZ](https://chat.whatsapp.com/F7838OJWfkiAlMEyNffVfZ) Welcome to beach volleyball All Level Learn and Play Event in Spanish Banks. If you never play before but want to, no worry, you can learn basic skills over here. All the equipment is prepared. This event is for come to meet new friends, improve your volleyball skill and build your team. **Only 20 spots** * People will **learn basic skills and rules from** **Our Host Anthony this week** in the first hour. * In the next hour, we will be divided into the different teams to play on the court. * People who just want to play can play directly. **Drop In $10.** **Flash Sale 2026 All summer Pass $69** May 17 2026 - Sep 6 2026 Sunday (No Events in Holiday or Raining) [https://www.extremelyshy.com/toronto](https://www.extremelyshy.com/toronto) **Book online only**, **you will receive details and contact information in your confirmation email**. Show your QR code to our host Yana to verify. Legal Stuff - Liabilities, Obligations, and Responsibilities * We are a group composed of volunteers. We are NOT a professional organization or pro trail guides and/or pro event organizers. However, as a group of friends and acquaintances, we will look out for each other. * The organizer and any/all assistant organizers and other attendees are in no way responsible and liable for your personal safety and health state, before, during, and at any time after this event. By RSVPing "Yes", for this event, * You acknowledge that you fully understand and accept the aforementioned conditions and following event attendance conditions and, you are solely responsible for your health, safety, and well-being before, during, and at any time after the event as stated previously. All attendees shall forever hold harmless the organizers and other attendees and unconditionally waive any liabilities resulting from attending and/or participating in this event

Forks of the Credit Summertime Trek

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/fforks-of-the-credit)** **Ten kilometers, one river, and about 300 metres of elevation gain packed into a single Caledon loop.** We start near Kettle Lake, a small glacial pond that gives this section of the park its name, and follow the Meadow Trail as it dips down toward the water before climbing back out through mixed forest. From there we pick up the Bruce Trail along an open ridge, where the ground flattens out and the Credit River valley opens up below. The second half of the loop is where the park earns its name. We drop down toward the ruins of a former hydro power station, its concrete foundations still standing next to the river, before a short detour to the viewing platform for Cataract Falls. It is not a thundering waterfall, but the setting, tucked into the escarpment with the old ruins for company, is worth the stop. The final stretch follows the river home, easy and flat, the escarpment behind you and the Credit River keeping you company the rest of the way. **Highlights** **Kettle Lake:** A glacial pond formed over 10,000 years ago, ringed by the lumpy, uneven ground left behind by melting ice. **Cataract Falls and the Ruins:** A quiet waterfall next to the crumbling remains of a 19th century power station. **Escarpment Ridge Views:** An open stretch of the Bruce Trail with sightlines down into the Credit River valley. **Event cost: $50+HST (for explorer members) - $40 optional transport available.** **Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/fforks-of-the-credit)** **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/)***

Camp at Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier

Québec Long-Weekend Group Hike & Camp Trip length: Friday → Monday Starting point: Oshawa Hike at parc national de la Jacques-Cartier: Sentier Les Loups — Iconic View & Challenge L’Escarpement — Harder Ridge & Vistas Le Scotora — Epic Mountain Loop Site at L'Escarpement

Wilder Series: Secret Wilderness Hike & Swim

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/ragged-rapids)** ***The Wilder Series is back! Are you up to the challenge?!*** We're heading deep into Ontario's Canadian Shield for a day on one of the province's most rugged backcountry routes. Tucked inside a little-known nature location, this trail trades manicured paths for raw granite, beaver dams, and dense forest that test both legs and navigation skills in equal measure. While only 15km, this trek and it's technical terrain are no joke. However, the payoff is incredible: raging rapids, amazing views and an incredible wilderness swim that you won't soon forget! **Secret Location** This is one of Wilderness Union's secret hikes. We visit spots that are undiscovered by the wider world, keep them pristine, and share them only among members. The location is revealed to registered members in the days before the trip. ***Please note that attendees will need a high fitness level to successfully complete this adventure. This will be a serious challenge!*** **Highlights** **True Wilderness:** Experience the Canadian shield in all of its glory! Unmanicured, untamed and unbelievably beautiful. **Beaver Dams:** Cross quiet backcountry ponds and streams along the way. **Powerful Rapids**: The Black River churns through a gorge with 20–30m cliffs. **Event cost: $60+HST (for explorer members) - $50 optional transport available.** **Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/ragged-rapids)** **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/)***

Epic #5 - The Lavielle Loop

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/epic-5)** ***Welcome to The Epics!*** ***Through this series, we will embark together on five of the most legendary and challenging adventures anywhere in Ontario.*** **History** Deep in the interior of Algonquin Park lies a chain of lakes that remains a bucket list trip for serious paddlers. The Lavieille Loop is a high-endurance expedition named after one of the most beautiful lakes in a park full of incredible scenery. This is a route of extremes: from the crystal-clear expanse of **Lake Lavieille** to the winding, moose-heavy waters of the **Crow River**, culminating in the legendary 5.5km **Dickson-Bonfield portage**, this is a true test of grit. This expedition is inspired by the Meanest Link, a legendary challenge created by our friends and partners at Algonquin Outfitters. Designed by Alex Hurley and Gord Baker as a tribute to AO’s founder, Bill Swift Sr., the Link was built to push the limits of exploration and self-reliance. While our loop covers a specific, scenic section of this historic network, we’ve designed this Epic to channel that same spirit of adventure and respect for the park’s heritage. Learn more about the history and the original route of the Meanest Link on the [Algonquin Outfitters website](https://algonquinoutfitters.com/about/meanest-link-history/). ‍ **What You Need to Know** This journey is a true ode to Algonquin Park. We’ve carved out a nearly 100km route, taking us from the massive waters of Lake Opeongo, along the winding Crow River, and into the remote reaches of Lake Lavieille before heading back down to Opeongo. By doing this in early September, we catch the park at its absolute best: the bugs are gone, the weather is beautiful, and the wildlife is active along the riverbanks. Awaiting us in the second half of our journey is the notorious Dickson-Bonfield portage. At over 5km,this is the longest single portage in Algonquin Park. It’s relatively flat but a huge challenge and, once you set your canoe down at Bonfield Lake, you’ll have earned your place among the most dedicated paddlers in the province. This trip requires a high level of fitness and a genuine willingness to embrace the challenge of a 5km trek with a canoe on your shoulders. For those willing to take on the challenge, this offers the most rewarding sense of accomplishment you can find on the water. **What's Included:** * *2 expert guides with advanced wilderness skills and medical training* * *Rentals for lightweight canoes, PFDs and paddles* * *All camp meals, cooking equipment and mess kits* * *All safety equipment (including first aid kits and water purification)* * *Tents and all the camping equipment you'll need (sleeping bags and pads are available for rent)* * *All permits and campsite bookings for the whole trip* * *A preparatory information session* * *Detailed trip plan with packing lists, maps and the indigenous history of the route we're following* * *Extensive planning to ensure your safety throughout the adventure* * *A custom, iron-on patch to immortalize your unforgettable adventure* ***Epics are mentally and physically demanding adventures, and participation isn’t automatically guaranteed. These expeditions require skill, determination and teamwork to get through.*** ***To help ensure a safe and rewarding experience for all, anyone who has not previously completed an Epic will need to fill out a short questionnaire so we can assess readiness together.*** ***Your level of fitness and outdoors experience will play a role in this process. Having certain adventures under your belt will ensure you have the right skills and preparation for these kinds of experiences. These include:*** * ***Any Wilder Series adventure, including the upcoming Wilder Loop*** * ***Any Survivalist Series adventure, including Introduction to Navigation or Cold Exposure*** * ***Canoe Foundations Clinic*** * ***Hilton Falls Mega*** * ***Any other adventure with 4 or 5 star difficulty*** ***If you register for an Epic and are not approved, you will receive a refund in full.*** **Highlights** **An Epic Challenge -** Our longest and most ambitious epic will be the ultimate reward. **Dickson-Bonfield Portage -** The legendary portage spans 5.4km and is the longest single carry in the park. ‍**Secret Lake Sanctuaries** \- True crown jewels of the Algonquin interior\, there are no easy routes to the lakes we will be seeing\, which keep them incredibly quiet and pristine\. **Event cost: $1185+HST. $50 optional transport also available. Please register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/epic-5)** **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/)***

Epic #4 - Western Uplands Backpacking Trail

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/epic-4)** ***Welcome to The Epics!*** ***Through this series, we will embark together on five of the most legendary and challenging adventures anywhere in Ontario.*** **Background** The Western Uplands Backpacking Trail is widely considered the premier hiking challenge in Algonquin Provincial Park. While the area is now a recovering hardwood forest, these paths once served the industrial logging operations that preceded the park's establishment. Today, the trail is famous for its solitude and wildlife; you’re likely to meet grouse that aggressively defend their territory and see constant signs of the moose population that calls the area home. **What You Need to Know** We’re hiking the northern most loop of the trail, entering at the beautiful Rain Lake access point. We’ll have 45km of hiking ahead of us, a significant challenge when you’re carrying all of your gear on your back. This access point feels like finding a secret back door to the park's most remote reaches, starting with a gentle stretch along an old logging railway bed. It starts as a flat, historic stroll that lets us find our rhythm before the real work begins as we climb into the rugged heart of Algonquin. We'll trade the flat path for a steady rhythm of roots and ridges, pushing into the lush hardwood forests that define the park's western highlands. The rewards come in the form of solitude, like the deep, clear waters of Islet Lake - the perfect mid hike swimming spot. Day 2, we push on for a massive 18km day, making our way to Brown Lake. It's a world of total silence and dark skies where the only sounds are the wind in the hemlocks and our own footsteps on the trail. This is a tough, honest trek through a landscape carved by ancient glaciers, offering a sense of pure wilderness that few others ever get to see. We can guarantee that this trail will test you. Because there is no bailout option mid-route, we move as a tight crew, supporting each other through every climb. For those willing to put in the work and find out what they are made of, the Western Uplands offers some of the most raw and rewarding backpacking in the province. **What's Included:** * *2 expert guides with advanced wilderness skills and medical training* * *All camp meals, cooking equipment and mess kits* * *All safety equipment (including first aid kits and water purification)* * *Tents and all the camping equipment you'll need (sleeping bags and pads are available for rent)* * *All permits and campsite bookings for the whole trip* * *A preparatory information session* * *Detailed trip plan with packing lists, maps and the indigenous history of the route we're following* * *Extensive planning to ensure your safety throughout the adventure* * *A custom, iron-on patch to immortalize your unforgettable adventure* ***Epics are mentally and physically demanding adventures, and participation isn’t automatically guaranteed. These expeditions require skill, determination and teamwork to get through.*** ***To help ensure a safe and rewarding experience for all, anyone who has not previously completed an Epic will need to fill out a short questionnaire so we can assess readiness together.*** ***Your level of fitness and outdoors experience will play a role in this process. Having certain adventures under your belt will ensure you have the right skills and preparation for these kinds of experiences. These include:*** * ***Any Wilder Series adventure, including the upcoming Wilder Loop*** * ***Any Survivalist Series adventure, including Introduction to Navigation or Cold Exposure*** * ***Canoe Foundations Clinic*** * ***Hilton Falls Mega*** * ***Any other adventure with 4 or 5 star difficulty*** ***If you register for an Epic and are not approved, you will receive a refund in full.*** **Highlights** **An Epic Challenge -** Our shortest epic packs a serious punch. Conquering this 45km loop with packs on our backs will be an incredibly rewarding challenge. **Moose Spotting** \- There are a huge number of moose in this part of the park and there’s a good chance we’ll come across them during our journey\. **Uninterrupted Wilderness -** Deep in the woods, with no roads or cell service, this adventure gives you the ultimate opportunity for nature immersion **Event cost: $635+HST. $50 optional transport also available. Please register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/epic-4)** **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/)***

Bruce Peninsula Camping Adventure

The Wilderness Brothers (Sudbury)

Contact Alex for location and information.