Toronto Environment Events 2010: January 4 - January 10, 2009

6:30pm

Brampton: Tuesdays on the Trail - Birding for Beginners

Wexford Park, Brampton (map)

Learn the basics, from using binoculars to attracting birds to your yard. Look for birds that make the trail their home. Cost: FREE For more information: Jessika Corkum-Gorrill - (416) 661-6600 ext.5748

9:30am

Rouge Park Guided Outings (Cedar)

Pearse House, 1749 Meadowvale Road at Zoo Road (follow signs for Rouge Valley Conservation Centre) (map)

Meeting by the Pearse House driveway, we'll have a warm up eastbound before heading north for the Cedar Trail. Following a short break at the trail's north end, we'll head back as we came. You'll see small streams that flow into Little Rouge Creek, and Little Rouge Creek itself. There are wetland and meadow species near southern sections of the trail, forest species in northern sections. From the South trail head, you can see the hill from an old garbage dump that is being revegetated, and wetlands created in the excavated areas where soil was removed to cover the garbage. Challenge: Easy-Moderate. Natural surface. Steep grades on trail. Steps and steep sections may be slippery during wet or winter weather. Pace: Easy Duration: 1.75 hours For more information:http://www.rougepark.com/media/hikes.php

3pm

Dufferin Grove Organic Farmers’ Market

873 Dufferin St, Toronto (in Dufferin Grove Park) (map)

Outdoors around the rinkhouse in summer; in and around the rinkhouse in winter. For more information:http://www.dufferinpark.ca/market/wiki/wiki.php

7pm

Grafton Community Gardening Night

Roncesvalles and Queen, Toronto (Grafton Community Garden) (map)

Join the West End Flower Fairies, residents and business owners to help green the community! Participants will be out every Wednesday, Rain or Shine.

3pm

Dufferin Grove Organic Farmers' Market

South of Bloor on the east side of Dufferin, in Dufferin Grove Park (map)

A year-round farmers' market every Thursday afternoon from 3 to 7 pm. Outdoors in the beauty of the park in summer, on the skating rink pad in fall, and inside the rink buildings throughout the winter. Local farmers and city-based food producers bring a great variety of organic foods. A special feature of the market is wood-fired oven breads baked right in the park. For more information contact: Phone: 416-392-0913

5am

St. Lawrence North Farmers’ Market

92 Front Street East, Toronto (at Jarvis) (map)

For more information:http://www.stlawrencemarket.com/

8:30am

The Village Organic Farmers’ Market at Toronto Waldorf School

9100 Bathurst St, Toronto (map)

For more information:http://www.villagemarket.ca/  

9:30am

Rouge Park Guided Outings (Woodlands)

19 Reesor Road, south of Steeles (map)

Meeting at the Woodlands Parking Area, we'll walk the complete trail, starting out via one side of the trail's loop and out to a lovely Rouge Valley vista, and returning via the other side of the loop. Both outings will take a pace that allows us to get energized but still enjoy the sounds of nature and each other's company. You'll get a view of Little Rouge Creek, forest and meadows. A mix of habitat types, including new forests, makes this a place where you can see many birds. Challenge: Easy. Natural surface. Generally flat. First 1.5km suitable for strollers, wheelchairs. Pace: Easy Duration: 2 hours For more information:http://www.rougepark.com/media/hikes.php

1pm

Rouge Park Guided Outings (Orchard/Vista)

Pearse House, 1749 Meadowvale Road at Zoo Road (follow signs for Rouge Valley Conservation Centre) (map)

Meeting at the gate by Pearse House, we will head east for a warmup to meet the Orchard Trail and head south to its terminus. Taking a break at the Twyn Rivers area, we will return north on the Vista Trail, ending back at Pearse House. A mix of forest and meadow views offer a variety of plant and animal life, plus steep bluffs of the river valleys greet you on the Vista Trail. On the Orchard Trail, witness nature reclaiming the land. Regenerating forests merge with remnants of an agricultural and recreational past, like an old ski hill and the pieces of an old concrete dam that was once used to back up the river for swimming when a hotel stood on the site. Challenge: Moderate. Natural surface, about 1km road. Steep grades on trail. Steps and steep sections may be slippery during wet or winter weather Pace: Easy-Moderate Duration: 1.75 hours For more information:http://www.rougepark.com/media/hikes.php  

Toronto: 7th Annual Winter Bird Count

Rouge Park (map)

Rouge Park invites you to join the 7th Annual Winter Bird Count. Volunteers are needed to count birds in the Park or in their backyards. No experience required. Whether you are an experienced birder, nature enthusiast, or just want to learn more about Rouge Park and it’s birds, you’re invited to participate. For more information: Please email birdcount +at+ rougepark +dot+ com, or call (905) 713-6007 for more information.