The Toronto Green Community, in partnership with the Toronto Field Naturalists and many other local groups, provides guided hikes along the buried stream courses in Toronto.  The Lost Rivers Project has mapped the streams and waterways buried by urban development in Toronto. It's all about a way of understanding the city in a new framework, that of urban ecosystems and watersheds. Looked at from this perspective, we can make the connections from our own backyards to the lake in a very direct way. Our goal is to encourage creative approaches to solving the many environmental problems of urban areas, from small steps like turning off the tap while brushing teeth to grander visions of "day-lighting" creeks or restoring the health of our entire watershed.

The objective of Lost River Walks is to help people appreciate the intimate connections between the water systems that form an essential part of their lives. We also take people on a fascinating journey into our history. Since 1995, over 15,000 people have participated in the Lost River Walks, which are a part of the Ontario Legacy Trail Program, a designation that recognizes the walks as one of the 24 best walking programs or trail systems in the province.

UPCOMING LOST RIVER WALKS

Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011 2 pm Williamson Ravine and CN Rail Springs with Ian Wheal and Helen Mills to start at the Woodbine subway ending near Coxwell and Gerrard.

 Sunday Oct 16, 2011 1 pm (note new start time) Highland Creek, Morningside Park. You won't want to miss the Coho salmon running up Highland Creek. Walk is hosted by John Wilson, joined by Bill Snodgrass, Toronto Water, and Keri McMahon, Toronto and Region Conservation. You will see creek and fish habitat restoration work, and hear of new stewardship programs to help green the Highland. Similar to last year’s popular event, when many salmon graced us with their presence, we will take a pleasant Fall walk along a new route on the West Highland, starting and ending at a more convenient location – East Scarborough Storefront, 4040 Lawrence Ave. East (Lawrence Ave at Overture Rd, near Galloway). Parking is available.

Sunday Oct 23, 2011 Human River, an exciting but as yet mysterious event. Details will emerge.

Sunday Nov 20, 2011 2 pm Tap to Toilet Event. Helen Mills is co-ordinating this, details will be added soon. Designed to co-incide with World Toilet Day, Nov 19, for which there is a nifty website (http://worldtoilet.org/wto/).

Sunday Dec 18, 2011 2 pm Toddle down the Taddle. Details to follow.

Click here to go to the Lost Rivers website

THIRSTY CITY WALKS

In collaboration with RiverSides, TGC has developed a series of self-guided tours exploring Toronto's lost rivers.

Our Thirsty City walks include:

Click here to go to the Thirsty City website