Toronto's Ravine Strategy
Launched in 2017, Toronto’s Ravine Strategy brought together community, industry, and government to develop a comprehensive vision for Toronto’s ravine system. That vision is:
A ravine system that is a natural, connected sanctuary essential for the health and wellbeing of the city, where use and enjoyment support protection, education and stewardship.
The Ravine Strategy and the Humber Arboretum
The Humber Arboretum played a lead role in the development of this vision and is committed to the ongoing realization of the Ravine Strategy's goals. Here are just a few of the ways that the Humber Arboretum is supporting the Ravine Strategy for the West Humber Ravine:
The Humber Pond Revitalization Project
The Humber Pond Revitalization Project is one of the first initiatives to put the Ravine Strategy into action. This initiative brings together multiple partners to protect the future health of our ravine while creating new opportunities for the community to connect with and celebrate local ecosystems and provide new experiential learning opportunities for Humber College students.
Ravine Days
Ravine Days is a city-wide celebration of Toronto's Ravines that takes place for one weekend in May and encourages everyone to Love #TOravines. In 2018 the Humber Arboretum offered a Lunch and Learn, bird walk, gardening workshop, and outdoor music to celebrate and connect people with the West Humber Ravine.
Protecting the Environmentally Significant Area
A large section of the Humber Arboretum was designated an Environmentally Significant Area by the City of Toronto because of the rare plants found here. We are working hard with our partners to protect this space and restore native ecosystems.
Connecting Kids with Nature
For years, the Humber Arboretum's Nature Camps and school programming have connected children with the Carolinian ecosystem. With our Nature for All fund, partnerships with local community organizations, and our new Jr. Naturalist Camp, we are expanding our reach to include children from a wider age range and offer more opportunities to youth from the local community.
Learning by LeadingTM
This co-curricular experience engages Humber College and University of Guelph-Humber students from any program in a variety of hands-on activities that connect them with the local ecosystems of the Humber Arboretum and give them the tools to become the environmental leaders of tomorrow.
Community Events
The Humber Arboretum works with a variety of partners such as Bird Studies Canada and the Toronto Region Conservation Authority to regularly offer free community events that introduce people to the flora and fauna of the West Humber Ravine.
The City of Toronto's Ravine Strategy is guided by five principles:
Protect | Invest | Connect | Partner | Celebrate
Learn more about Toronto’s system of ravines and the official Ravine Strategy at Toronto.ca/ravines.