Urban Forest Restoration Campaign 2026: Toronto Urban Forest & Ravine Plastic Removal Initiative

Why This Campaign Matters

Plastic pollution does not disappear when it leaves public view.

Stormwater carries litter into natural areas where it becomes trapped among vegetation, washed into ravines, or embedded in soil. Over time, larger plastics break down into microplastics that can contaminate waterways, affect wildlife, and ultimately find their way into Lake Ontario.

These forgotten areas are:

• Important wildlife habitats
• Biodiversity hotspots
• Natural flood mitigation systems
• Critical components of Toronto’s urban ecosystem

By removing plastic waste before it fragments into microplastics, we help restore ecological function and protect the long-term health of Toronto’s natural spaces.

Our Impact So Far

✅ 601 pounds of plastic waste

✅ 945+ pounds of total litter and debris

✅ 65,120 square metres of urban forest and ravine habitat restored

✅ Cleanups conducted across 4 high-impact locations

✅ Progressing at 2.2 times the pace required to reach our annual goal

The 601 pounds of plastic removed in a single month is equivalent to approximately:

• 27,000 single-use plastic water bottles
• Nearly 10 adult Canadian beavers by weight
• Over 7 average adult residents combined
• Hundreds of grocery bags filled with plastic waste

Areas We Are Restoring

Our restoration efforts focus on environmentally sensitive areas where plastic pollution accumulates over many years.

Current Cleanup Locations

• Black Creek Parkland
• Driftwood Park
• Fred Young Park
• Dan Lannuzzi Park
• Dan Lannuzzi Pond

These locations represent important ecological corridors within Toronto’s urban landscape and provide habitat for numerous plant and animal species.

Explore Our Interactive Cleanup Map

Turn on the legend on the top left or click the shaded location to view cleanup locations, field observations, and restoration progress across Toronto.

What We Are Finding

Our fieldwork continues to reveal patterns of hidden pollution that are often missed during conventional cleanups.

Common Discoveries

• Plastic bags trapped in vegetation
• Food packaging buried beneath leaves and soil
• Construction debris in ravine systems
• Household waste carried by stormwater
• Plastic fragments breaking down into microplastics

Much of this pollution exists far from trails, roads, and recreation areas, making dedicated restoration efforts essential.

Campaign Objectives

1. Remove Plastic Waste

Systematically identify and remove plastic pollution from ravines, forests, creek corridors, and green spaces.

2. Prevent Microplastic Formation

Remove plastic before it decomposes into smaller particles that contaminate soil and waterways.

3. Restore Ecological Function

Improve conditions for native plants, wildlife, pollinators, and aquatic ecosystems.

4. Engage Communities

Provide opportunities for volunteers, youth, community groups, and organizations to participate in meaningful environmental action.

5. Generate Environmental Data

Track, measure, and report cleanup impact to support evidence-based environmental stewardship.

How We Measure Success

Every cleanup operation is documented using a data-driven approach.

We measure:

• Total plastic removed
• Total waste collected
• Surface area restored
• Volunteer participation
• Hours contributed
• Progress toward campaign goals

This allows us to demonstrate measurable environmental outcomes and maintain transparency with supporters, funders, and community partners.

How You Can Support the Campaign

🌱 Volunteer

Join future cleanup events and help restore Toronto’s forests and ravines.

🤝 Partner With Us

Businesses, schools, institutions, and community organizations can support cleanup operations, employee engagement activities, and environmental stewardship initiatives.

💚 Donate

Financial contributions help provide:

• Gloves
• Safety equipment
• Waste collection supplies
• Volunteer resources
• Environmental monitoring tools
• Reporting and impact measurement

📢 Share Our Work

Help raise awareness about hidden plastic pollution by sharing our reports and campaign updates with your network.

Partnership Opportunities

Canopy Friend

Support day-to-day cleanup operations and essential field supplies.

Ravine Guardian

Help expand restoration work in high-impact environmental zones while supporting environmental monitoring and reporting.

1-Tonne Victory Supporter

Become a leading champion of Toronto’s urban forest restoration movement and help accelerate our progress toward removing one tonne of plastic from nature.

Looking Ahead

Our current progress indicates that we are on track to achieve our 1-tonne plastic removal goal ahead of schedule. However, the scale of hidden plastic pollution in Toronto’s forests and ravines remains significant.

Continued support from volunteers, community organizations, funders, and residents will be essential to expanding our impact and protecting these important natural spaces for future generations.

Together, we can transform hidden environmental problems into measurable ecological solutions.

Get Involved Today

Download the Latest Report

May 2026 Toronto Urban Forest & Ravine Cleanup Report