{"id":2418,"date":"2026-05-19T11:56:38","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T15:56:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eefabecanada.org\/?p=2418"},"modified":"2026-05-19T11:56:43","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T15:56:43","slug":"black-creek-parkland-forest-cleanup-report-may-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eefabecanada.org\/fr\/black-creek-parkland-forest-cleanup-report-may-17\/","title":{"rendered":"BLACK CREEK PARKLAND FOREST CLEANUP REPORT: May 17th, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Every Effort Counts: Community\u2011Led Action Inside Black Creek Parkland Forest<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Urban forests are often described as the \u201cgreen lungs\u201d of cities, yet what happens deep inside them frequently goes unnoticed. Plastic and other waste quietly accumulate beneath leaves, shrubs, and soil, stressing ecosystems already under pressure from population growth, climate change, and human activity. This Black Creek Parkland forest cleanup report is an example of how communities and individuals can mobilize and take action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On Sunday, May 17, 2026, another step was taken toward restoring one of Toronto\u2019s important ravine ecosystems through a community\u2011led cleanup inside Black Creek Parkland Forest, beside Dan Lannuzzi Park. While the effort involved just one participant, the impact once again demonstrated a powerful truth: no action is too small when it comes to protecting nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Black Creek Parkland forest cleanup report Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Date:<\/strong> Sunday, May 17, 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Time:<\/strong> 10:11 AM \u2013 2:31 PM<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Duration:<\/strong> 4 hours 20 minutes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Participants:<\/strong> 1<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Location:<\/strong> Inside the woods of Black Creek Parkland Forest, near Dan Lannuzzi Park<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This Black Creek Parkland forest cleanup report continued our long\u2011term commitment to removing plastic pollution from Toronto\u2019s urban forests and advancing our goal of <strong>removing one tonne of plastic from urban forest ecosystems<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As with previous Black Creek Parkland forest cleanup report, the work was conducted <strong>entirely inside the forest<\/strong>, not along park edges or visible areas. This is where plastic often migrates and remains hidden for years, continuing to harm soil, plants, wildlife, and nearby ravine systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-eb556c1b wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none\"><figure class=\"wp-block-uagb-image__figure\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eefabecanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_20260517_143844.jpg-1024x461.jpeg ,https:\/\/eefabecanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_20260517_143844.jpg.jpeg 780w, https:\/\/eefabecanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_20260517_143844.jpg.jpeg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 150px\" src=\"https:\/\/eefabecanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_20260517_143844.jpg-1024x461.jpeg\" alt=\"black creek parkland forest cleanup report\" class=\"uag-image-2420\" width=\"720\" height=\"324\" title=\"bags of litter removed from the forest\" role=\"img\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Was Found Inside the Forest<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout the cleanup, <strong>litter of all types, sizes, and conditions<\/strong> was collected. Plastics remained the dominant material, scattered across the forest floor and embedded in soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Among the most concerning findings were <strong>plastic containers and golf balls that had been chewed by animals<\/strong>, clear evidence that wildlife continues to interact with plastic waste, often mistaking it for food. These interactions can lead to injury, ingestion, or long\u2011term health impacts for animals living in the forest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-1ba830c6 wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none\"><figure class=\"wp-block-uagb-image__figure\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eefabecanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_20260517_104635.jpg-1024x573.jpeg ,https:\/\/eefabecanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_20260517_104635.jpg.jpeg 780w, https:\/\/eefabecanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_20260517_104635.jpg.jpeg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 150px\" src=\"https:\/\/eefabecanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_20260517_104635.jpg-1024x573.jpeg\" alt=\"Black Creek Parkland Forest Cleanup Report of a golf ball chewed by animals in the forest\" class=\"uag-image-2424\" width=\"772\" height=\"432\" title=\"image of a golf ball showing signs of chewing through.jpg\" role=\"img\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Surprising and Alarming Discovery: Plastic Toys<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One unexpected and troubling discovery was the presence of <strong>plastic toys<\/strong> deep inside the forest. Household plastic toys are rarely considered when discussing environmental pollution, yet their presence in the forest highlights how everyday consumer items can become environmental hazards when improperly discarded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These toys are typically made from mixed plastics that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do not biodegrade<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Break into sharp fragments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Slowly degrade into microplastics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Seeing children\u2019s toys in the forest was a stark reminder that <strong>plastic pollution is not limited to packaging and bottles<\/strong>. When plastics of any kind enter natural environments, they persist for decades and place additional stress on already fragile ecosystems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-f65c5914 wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none\"><figure class=\"wp-block-uagb-image__figure\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eefabecanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_20260517_140645_1.jpg-1024x975.jpeg ,https:\/\/eefabecanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_20260517_140645_1.jpg.jpeg 780w, https:\/\/eefabecanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_20260517_140645_1.jpg.jpeg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 150px\" src=\"https:\/\/eefabecanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_20260517_140645_1.jpg-1024x975.jpeg\" alt=\"black creek parkland forest cleanup report\" class=\"uag-image-2422\" width=\"656\" height=\"625\" title=\"toy gun found in the forest during cleanup.jpg\" role=\"img\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Soil and Vegetation Under Stress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Beneath layers of plastic and litter, the condition of the forest floor told another story. In several areas where waste had accumulated for long periods, the soil was visibly <strong>compacted and stressed<\/strong>, with <strong>bare ground unable to support grass or understory plants<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Healthy forest soil is essential for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tree regeneration<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Water absorption<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Carbon storage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supporting insects and microorganisms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Plastic and other debris interfere with these processes, slowing natural recovery and making forests less resilient to climate impacts such as heat waves and heavy rainfall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Wildlife Encounters: A Reminder of What\u2019s at Stake<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>During the Black Creek Parkland forest cleanup report, a <strong>coyote<\/strong> was observed walking calmly across the forest floor. <strong>Squirrels and raccoons<\/strong> were also seen actively moving through the area. These sightings are important reminders that Black Creek Parkland Forest is not just green space; it is an <strong>active wildlife habitat<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The presence of wildlife reinforces why removing plastic from deep within forests is so critical. When animals encounter plastic, they may:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Chew or ingest it<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Become entangled<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mistake it for food<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Protecting wildlife requires preventing plastic from entering these habitats in the first place and removing what has already accumulated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Waste Sorting and Measured Impact<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>All collected materials were <strong>sorted at the source<\/strong> to support proper disposal and recycling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Total Waste Removed on May 17<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>44.57 pounds of litter removed<\/strong>, including:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>32.45 pounds of plastics<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>9.59 pounds of recyclables<\/strong>, including cans, wine bottles, beer bottles, and aluminum sheets<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2.53 pounds of boxes and miscellaneous materials<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These numbers may seem modest at first glance, but in context they represent real, measurable environmental relief for a forest ecosystem under stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also read last week&#8217;s report: <a href=\"https:\/\/eefabecanada.org\/fr\/black-creek-parkland-forest-cleanup-report-may-11\/\">Black Creek Parkland Forest Cleanup Report May 9 &amp; 10, 2026: A Two\u2011Day Commitment to Toronto\u2019s Urban Forest<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Progress Toward a Bigger Goal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This Black Creek Parkland forest cleanup report brings cumulative progress in this section of Black Creek Parkland Forest to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>422.3 pounds of plastic removed<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>675.06 pounds of total waste removed<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Each Black Creek Parkland forest cleanup report builds on the last. Each pound removed reduces future microplastic formation, improves soil conditions, and creates space for natural regeneration. Together, these efforts bring us closer to our goal of <strong>removing one tonne of plastic from Toronto\u2019s urban forests<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-57e6847b wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none\"><figure class=\"wp-block-uagb-image__figure\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eefabecanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/General-Litter-Removed-8-1024x1024.png ,https:\/\/eefabecanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/General-Litter-Removed-8.png 780w, https:\/\/eefabecanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/General-Litter-Removed-8.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 150px\" src=\"https:\/\/eefabecanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/General-Litter-Removed-8-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"Progress report\" class=\"uag-image-2423\" width=\"742\" height=\"742\" title=\"General Litter Removal progress\" role=\"img\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why This Work Matters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Urban forests like Black Creek Parkland are facing increasing pressure from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Growing urban populations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increased use of natural spaces<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improper waste disposal<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Climate change impacts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Plastic pollution compounds these stresses, weakening ecosystem resilience and threatening biodiversity. By removing plastic from deep within forest interiors, this work contributes directly to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Biodiversity protection<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Climate adaptation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Healthier soils and vegetation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Safer habitat for wildlife<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How You Can Support This Work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Protecting Toronto\u2019s urban forests is a shared responsibility, and there are many ways to get involved:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udee0\ufe0f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.zeffy.com\/fr-CA\/donation-form\/donate-to-eefabe-canada\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <strong>Donate or fund equipment<\/strong><\/a><br>Gloves, bags, safety gear, and tools are essential for effective cleanups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\ude4b <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/Pages\/ResponsePage.aspx?id=HVIi1UnR0Um-sVDrY4f3G2r0K_m8cXBNnjnKrUiNM9dUNFRSTTk0UFhNVFFMVURMSjBYSFVJWERLMiQlQCN0PWcu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Volunteer with us<\/a><\/strong><br>Join future cleanups and be part of hands\u2011on urban forest protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2615 <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zeffy.com\/fr-CA\/donation-form\/donate-to-eefabe-canada\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Buy us a coffee<\/a><\/strong><br>Small contributions help sustain long cleanup days and volunteer efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every action matters. Every effort counts. Together, we can protect the urban forests that protect us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every Effort Counts: Community\u2011Led Action Inside Black Creek Parkland Forest Urban forests are often described as the \u201cgreen lungs\u201d of cities, yet what happens deep inside them frequently goes unnoticed. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2419,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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Stephane Tamo","author_link":"https:\/\/eefabecanada.org\/fr\/author\/stephanetamo6gmail-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Every Effort Counts: Community\u2011Led Action Inside Black Creek Parkland Forest Urban forests are often described as the \u201cgreen lungs\u201d of cities, yet what happens deep inside them frequently goes unnoticed. 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