Conservation Volunteering Toronto

✨ 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_)**

3- Day Killarney Hiking Trip

Join me for an unforgettable hiking trip to the breathtaking Northern Ontario’s fall landscape at Killarney Provincial Park while you stay at the relaxing Killarney Mountain Lodge. This is our second year hiking trip to this magical location. This is a three- and half-day trip that requires travelling to Killarney provincial park (app. 4 hrs drive from north of GTA) and making your accommodation reservation. Recommended to pair up with other hikers for carpooling to save on gas and to leave less CO2 footprint behind. We will stay at Killarney Mountain Lodge that offers variety of rooms / prices. Recommended to make your reservations at this location. Once you make your room reservation, send me a message to confirm it and I will move you from the Waiting list to the Going list. Due to the long traveling distance, recommended to arrive at the Killarney Mountain Lodge a day earlier on Thursday afternoon October 1st, 2026, to ensure everyone is ready and well-rested on the first day of the hike. Based on last year’s group experience at this location, you may use the lodge’s facility such as kayaking, swimming pool when you arrive earlier in the afternoon and after your check-in. **Hiking Plan:** We will be having 2.5 half days hiking starting on Fri. Oct. 2nd to Sun. Oct. 4th, 2026 at the following trails pending weather condition: The Crack Chikanishing Granite Ridge Trail Cranberry Bog Trail Killarney East Lighthouse And possibly The Silver Peak (includes Canoeing, hiking) pending weather and canoeing availability. Make your room reservation at the following location for 3 nights, \*\*\* check-in on Thu. Oct. 1st, 2026 \*\*\* check-out on Sun. Oct. 4th, 2026 **Address:** Killarney Mountain Lodge 3 Commissioner Street Killarney, ON, P0M 2A0 1 800 461-1117 The link: [Stay – Killarney Mountain Lodge](https://killarney.com/stay/) **\*\*\*\*\* Itinerary:** **\*\*\* Meeting Point Day 1, 2, 3:** **Killarney Mountain Lodge parking lot,** 3 Commissioner Street, Killarney, ON, P0M 2A0 **\*\*\* Meeting date and time:** **Day 1, 2, 3 mornings at 8:30 AM** Hiking at Killarney Provincial Park – For trail description check the link: [https://www.alltrails.com/parks/canada/ontario/killarney-provincial-park](https://www.alltrails.com/parks/canada/ontario/killarney-provincial-park) \* Pace: app. 4 to 4.5 km/hour \* To use the park’s parking lot, need to obtain the parking permit online or from the park’s office. \* The itinerary may be changed according to weather and other conditions. **\*\*\* Essentials:** \* Bring enough water for your everyday hike, snacks and sandwiches for your lunch as we may not get back to the lodge by noon. Have proper hiking boots and hiking poles, shell and weather-appropriate clothing. \* Make sure have your room reservation as early as possible before they are sold out. Killarney Mountain Lodge is a favourite place throughout the year and particularly in the Fall. Variety of rooms are still available that suites different budgets. \* Packed lunch for each hiking day can be ordered at the hotel front desk the night before of the hike or you may bring your own lunch. \* Breakfast is served starting at 7 AM everyday. Be prepared to have your breakfast once the restaurant is open to be ready for the hike that starts at 8:30AM everyday. **\*\*\* 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 look forward to having an enjoyable and safe adventure! · Know your limits! Choose the hike that matches your fitness level. This is a moderate to difficult hike! · Dress according to weather! Prepare for the weather and wear suitable gears. Arrive on time! Remember if you are late, someone else is waiting.

Fall Migration Birding in Toronto

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/fall-birding-26)** **Toronto has some hidden natural gems, and October is when it puts on its best show.** Join our guide Pedro Hernandez of[ Outdoor Commute](https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.commute/) for a beginner-friendly birdwatching walk through the unique Tommy Thompson Park. You do not need to know a warbler from a wren, but you probably will when the day is done. This walk is built for people who are simply curious about the birds sharing our skyline. We’ll move slowly and stop often, learning how to identify species by shape, colour, and call, how to actually use a pair of binoculars (yours to borrow for the day), and how to make sense of field guides and birding apps you can keep using long after the trip ends. October is peak Fall migration in the city, with so many different birds to spot. Depending on conditions, we might spot warblers, sparrows, and thrushes moving through, along with waterfowl like northern shovelers and gadwalls resting on the water. Year-round residents including red-tailed hawks, black-capped chickadees, and northern cardinals tend to make an appearance too. **Please note that binoculars are included in the cost of the adventure and that, due to the Toronto location, transportation is not offered.** **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** **Fall Migration:** October is one of the best windows of the year to bird at the Spit, with local species and southbound migrants both moving through the park at once. **Professional Birder:** Pedro founded the popular birding account[ Outdoor Commute](https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.commute/) and brings a genuine, patient teaching style **Binoculars Included:** Every participant gets a pair of high-quality NOCS binoculars for the walk **Event cost: $60+HST (for explorer members). Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/fall-birding-26)** **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 Photographers Needed for Women’s Health Event.

Hiking 101 Workshop at Evergreen Brick Works

**New to hiking or looking to refresh the basics? Join the Toronto Bruce Trail Club for Hiking 101, an approachable, interactive primer designed to get you comfortable and trail-ready.** **What You’ll Learn**  **Essential Gear:** What to pack for a safe, comfortable, and self-sufficient day on the trails.  **Winter Hiking:** Practical tips and clothing layering strategies to safely extend your hiking season through the winter.  **Conservation & Biodiversity:** How the Toronto Bruce Trail Club works to protect and restore sensitive ecosystems along the Niagara Escarpment.  **Year-Round Outings:** How to join our full schedule of urban walks, car pool hikes, bus day trips, and winter ski and snowshoe coach excursions.  **Q&A:** Dedicated time with experienced hike leaders to answer your questions. Please register at: [https://torontobrucetrailclub.org/sign-up-for-hiking-101-at-evergreen-brick-works/](https://torontobrucetrailclub.org/sign-up-for-hiking-101-at-evergreen-brick-works/) Please email tbtchikeleaders@gmail.com if you have any questions about the workshop. There will be two morning introductory hikes finishing in time for the Hiking 101 Workshop and we will be in the Farmer's Market in the morning providing information on the Bruce Trail and our hiking program. If you would like to join us for one of two morning introductory hikes before the Hiking 101 Workshop you may select one at the bottom of the above registration.

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

Volunteer Photographers Needed for Women’s Health Event.

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!

Bus Hike: Limehouse (Bruce Trail Day)

oin us to celebrate Bruce Trail Day on the trail around Limehouse. For the first 5 km we will hike south from the Sixth Line to Limehouse. The route incorporates the portion of trail removed from the Fifth Line thanks to those who support the Bruce Trail. We'll also pass the seed orchard where native species are grown for the seeds to be replanted to re-naturalize other parts of the trail. Those who want a shorter hike may drop out at Limehouse where information and refreshments will be available at the Memorial Hall. The second part of the hike will be a loop through the Limehouse Conservation area featuring the limestone kilns, stone arched bridge, and a climb through the "hole in the wall". Expect some slightly rocky terrain underfoot and a few moderate hills. Hiking boots or good shoes designed for walking are a must. Those completing the full 9 km will also have a chance to drop in at the Memorial Hall to learn more about the Bruce Trail and refreshments. You must register and prepay the bus fare on the Bruce Trail Conservancy Website (registration opens Sat Sep 20 8:00 PM (Bus Fares $25 Members/$32 Non-Members (Children under 12 $10/$14). Bus fares are non-refundable and the hike goes rain or shine. Registration Link: [https://hikes.brucetrail.org/event/bus-hike-bruce-trail-day-limehouse/2026-10-04/](https://hikes.brucetrail.org/event/bus-hike-bruce-trail-day-limehouse/2026-10-04/)

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/)***

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/)***

Don Valley Ravine Hike Oct. Autumn Leaves