Thank you for being interested and excited about Indigenous Land Reconciliation in Toronto! I've compiled a small (but hopefully ever-growing list of organizations and action items that you can take to support Indigenous and settler led organizations that aim to take care of green spaces and land using Indigenous land practices here in the city of Toronto/Tkaronto. 

This is work that is close to my heart - I don't believe that being a "good-settler" is possible if support is not consistent and ongoing. That's why we have to make a life-long commitment to the land, based on the teachings and actions of Tkaronto's Indigenous populations. As someone born and raised in Toronto, I'm also beholden to the Haudenosaunee principle/value of the Seven Generations as it helps me think about my actions and business before taking steps that could harm and hurt the folks who will inherent the Earth after we are gone. I hope that we can all continue to be more mindful of our actions and land practices, and I hope that the following list can help you get involved in multiple ways.

Indigenous Organizations

Turtle Protectors | Mishiikenh Gizhaasowin

https://turtleprotectors.com/

The Turtle Protectors support and protect endangered turtle relatives, and look out for breeding turtles and more in Toronto parks. If you see an injured or deceased turtle on land, you can contact them at: (647) 491-4057. They support turtle crossings, turtle injuries, and newly hatched turtle babies making their way to water. 
Send Financial Support by E-Transfer or Emails here: info@turtleprotectors.com
Volunteering Forms and Info are located here: https://turtleprotectors.com/volunteer

 

Indigenous Land Stewardship Circle

https://indigenouslandstewardshipto.wordpress.com/

Indigenous Land Stewardship Circle is a group of Indigenous Elders whose main aim is to heal Indigenous land and community here in Toronto. They are majorly involved in welcoming the Spring burning in High Park, which is one of the last sites of Tkaronto's Black Oak Savannah, an area tended by Indigenous tribes for thousands of years. 

Savannahs can be considered an in-between transition space, not quite prairie and not quite forest. Instead, they are areas made for living, both by humans and other beings. They have more open space and forest canopy for animals to graze in safely, and were used by Indigenous tribes for living, foraging and hunting. Indigenous people played an active role in designing savannah spaces, but European colonizers were unable to see this land use as active land practice. When they arrived in Tkaronto, they cleared and logged the Black Oak Savannah, as they considered it less work than logging forest. Tkaronto's Black Oak Savannah used to stretch from Royal York Road to Roncesvalles, from our lake to Lawrence Avenue.  A single small strip of this Savannah remains in High Park, and is now being revered once more by the Elders of the Indigenous Land Stewardship Circle.

If you are interested in supporting Elders, you must make them an offering. Consider financial support, volunteer support, social and digital support. transportation and rides, and more.
Send an email with your offering here: indigenouslandstewardshipTO@gmail.com
Be patient!

 

440 Parkside Collective: Indigenous-Led Land Restoration in Toronto

 

Interested in support and reciprocity in the High Park Area? Give the 440 Parkside Collective a shout. This is an organization headed by Rebecca Beaulne-Stuebing and have a garden and stewardship area at 440 Parkside Drive. 

Send an email with your offering or questions here: 440parksidecollective@gmail.com

 

Settler Organizations

Toronto Nature Stewards

https://torontonaturestewards.org/

They can say it better than I can: "TNS Stewards support the ecological restoration of ravines and natural areas by picking up litter, removing invasive plants, planting native species, and monitoring the environmental impact of stewardship activities. We meet as small, local groups to care for approved sites in Toronto’s ravines and natural areas. Each stewardship site has been approved by the City of Toronto and each stewardship group is committed to stewarding their local site for several years." THe Smith Urban Forest Health Lab at the Institute of Forestry & Conservation in the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design at the University of Toronto supports The Toronto Nature Stewards with meeting space and more, and the group has been growing year over year. 

Check out Volunteering Information here: https://torontonaturestewards.org/get-involved/

Donate here, through the University of Toronto: https://torontonaturestewards.org/donate/

 

Woodbridge Pollinator Group

https://www.instagram.com/woodbridgepollinatorgroup/

The Woodbridge Pollinator Group runs a number of pollinator gardens in the Woodbridge/Vaughan area. They're always accepting new members, and are highly involved in their community. They hold a number of events throughout the year, and help Woodbridge residents create new gardens in their backyards and homes.

Do you have any friends, family, or folks in the Woodbridge/Vaughan area? You can ask them if they'd like to create a pollinator yard in their garden, and invite the WPG to come support you. 

LEAF: Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests

 

https://www.yourleaf.org/

Looking for a tree? Ask LEAF! They engage their community in stewardship by planting trees, offering educational programming, and empowering folks to foster better relationships with the urban wildlife around them. As of 2026, THEY ARE ACTIVELY SEARCHING FOR VOLUNTEERS. 

Volunteer Information Here: https://www.yourleaf.org/become-volunteer

 

Project Swallowtail

https://projectswallowtail.ca/

Project Swallowtail is working on expanding urban pollinator habitat across Toronto. If you have a home garden or know of a home garden that could use a pollinator garden, reach out to them!

Check out some of their programs here: https://pollinatorpartnership.ca/en/all-programs

Donate here: https://pollinatorpartnership.ca/en/support-us

 

High Park Stewards

High Park has one of Toronto's last vestiges of Black Oak Savannah. Become a steward and help take care of it! 

Check out the City associated project here: https://highparknature.org/get-involved-with-high-park-nature/volunteer-in-toronto-high-park/high-park-stewards/about-our-stewardship-program/

 

By Bhumika Pollinator Garden

Come support our local pollinator garden! We'll need support as we add new seedlings and more to our local pollinator garden this June. Other support includes watering, and cleaning up trash. 

Email me: info@bybhumika.com

Other Actions you can Take

1. Choose a day to pick up trash around your neighbourhood and green spaces. 
2. Choose local food choices. This means purchasing foods made in Toronto, made in Ontario, or made in Canada. This reduces your carbon footprint, and keeps money cycling in local and small economies. 
3. Forage for food responsibly and safely using The Honourable Harvest. 
4. Contact your local city councillor, your provincial MPP, and your federal MP - Ask them how they're involving Indigenous groups and communities in land reconciliation efforts in their ward/ridings/neighbourhoods? 
5. Create a community garden, or grow your own vegetables and fruit. Share your excess with your neighbours to develop your community bonds.