As the population within our region continues to grow, how we manage and use our natural spaces will become increasingly important to the health of both the environment and our communities.
With close to 5 million people in our jurisdiction, 81% living within 2 kms of TRCA owned and managed public greenspace, it is no wonder 750,000 visitors enjoyed TRCA greenspaces in 2024, benefitting from the physical and mental wellbeing impacts of outdoor natural spaces.
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The following are opportunities for how your donation to LAND can make an impact:
Natural Area Restoration
To improve the quality of our natural areas, 376 ecosystem projects were initiated in 2024, restoring 43 ha of meadow habitat and 91 ha of forest habitat. These projects benefit wildlife and species at risk that call our region their home.
Land Acquisition
TRCA protects and preserves greenspace across our jurisdiction, including an additional 43.9 ha in 2024. The goal is to ensure that both wildlife and our communities have access to quality greenspace close to home.
Active Transportation
In 2024 TRCA constructed 1.16 km of trails, including improvements at Bruce Handscomb Park in Pickering, enhancements to The Meadoway multi-use trail, and upgraded access to Rouge National Urban Park in Stouffville. Trails connect residents to nature and provide opportunities for community recreation, active transportation, and healthy living.
RESTRICTED FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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29The Meadoway
The Meadoway is transforming an underutilized hydro corridor between the Don River ravine and Rouge National Urban Park into a vibrant 16-kilometre stretch of urban greenspace and native meadow habitat.
Climate change is increasing the frequency and impacts of storms, leading to a rise in flooding and erosion, and creating lasting impacts on our shared water resources. The pressure on the health of our aquatic ecosystems, our drinking water supply, and the safety and well-being of the surrounding communities requires a coordinated response that both increases the capacity and quality of our waterbodies.
The changing climate impacts all of us and protecting the close to 5 million residents in our jurisdiction by maintaining 333 flood maps and inspecting more than 6,000 hazard sites and erosion control structures are just some of the ways TRCA is working hard to build climate resiliency. Improving our aquatic ecosystem requires overlapping efforts to restore 57 ha of wetland habitat, 3.76 linear km of shoreline, and 3.3 km of stream.
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The following are opportunities for how your donation to WATER can make an impact:
Wetland Restoration
In 2024, ecosystem projects contributed to over 60 ha of restored water resources including 57 ha of wetland restoration, 1.3 ha of riparian (riverside) restoration, and 3.3 km of stream restoration, which can have a direct influence on the water quality and habitat along the waterfront.
Water Health
In 2024, TRCA staff conducted water quality monitoring activities including sampling of 47 water quality sites, water level monitoring at 21 groundwater wells, and water quality sampling at 13 wells.
Aquatic Education
Education is an important tool for water conservation. In 2024, TRCA engaged 3,000 participants at 224 separate events through the Learn to Fish program. An additional 2,287 participants were engaged in water activities – including recreation and science-based programming – through TRCA’s reinvigorated waterfront programming.
