In the Blog

Get to know TFN by exploring our latest news & updates!

“Then & Now” Photo Exhibition

Nature changes over time. Photographer members of the Toronto Field Naturalists (TFN) have been documenting these changes since the 1950s. In celebration of its 100th anniversary as a volunteer-run charity devoted to the conservation of Toronto’s natural areas, TFN presents historic photos curated from its archives paired with images taken in 2023 in the same locales by TFN’s current photographers. The Read More

Eastern White Pine: Cultural Icon and Herald of our Future

by David Wallace Barr What could be more iconic of northern Ontario for Toronto residents than a hardy Eastern White Pine, clinging to a rocky shoreline, buffeted by the winds, survivor of many storms? From ‘group of seven’ painters to today’s smartphone photographers, this image of the survivor of the gale has captured our imagination Read More

Let’s ban noisy gas-fired leaf-blowers, to help wildlife habitat in Toronto

Toronto’s Infrastructure and Environment Committee will consider a ban on two-stroke small engines at its June 28 meeting under item 2023.IE5.1 We need your help: Before June 28, support a ban on leaf blowers by submitting a comment at this link Before the July 19 City Council meeting, email your city councillor to ask for Read More

West Don River in Glendon Forest

The latest episodes of Toronto Nature Now

Check out the latest episodes of our radio show Toronto Nature Now in partnership with CJRU. Episode 175: The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority A discussion about the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) covering it’s history, jurisdiction, and role in Toronto. Listen here. Episode 176: Biological Control of Garlic Mustard. An explanation on the Read More

New Episodes of Toronto Nature Now

Please check out the latest episodes of our Toronto Nature Now radio show in partnership with CJRU: Episode 166: Spring Ephemeral Plants Jonathan explains what (spring) epheremal plants are, some examples, how they come to be and some little (sometimes blue) friends who help reproduce them. Listen here Episode 167: Wildlife at Ontario Place Francesca Read More

Junior Naturalists outing on Aug 5, 2018

Upcoming Junior Naturalists Program

Children aged 6-14 are invited to join the TFN Juniors program. Every child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Events are monthly, usually on the second Saturday from 10am-12pm. We move around the city to enjoy the wildlife and discover new ravines and parks we may not have  explored before. Our program for Read More

Photography Group Highlights – Spring 2023

Our photography group is active all year long with monthly photo challenges, member submissions from these have been showcased in recent issues of our newsletter. Now that the group’s outings have started back for this year, we thought we would share some photos from the group’s spring outings. Enjoy and if you are interested in Read More

The Future of Parklands surrounding Ontario Place: Speak up on April 27th.

On April 27, 5:00 pm please speak up for nature at Ontario Place – in particular, the future parklands that will surround the proposed new development. A major redevelopment – featuring a massive (65,000 square metre) private spa – is proposed for the site by Infrastructure Ontario, on behalf of the province, which owns the Read More

Toronto Islands

Junior Naturalists Event – Shadowland Theatre

All kids ages 6-14 are invited to Join us for a workshop with Shadowland Theater Company on Toronto island for tomorrow April 15th 10am-12pm. We will be dressing up in fantastic bird costumes, exploring the life cycles of some of native birds, and exploring how it feels to be a bird. A great way to kick off Read More

The Future of Ontario Place – West Island: Public Parkland or Private Spa?

We have two opportunities to speak up for Ontario Place’s West Island over the coming days. A major redevelopment – featuring a massive (65,000 square metre) private spa – is proposed for the site by Infrastructure Ontario, on behalf of the province, which owns the lands. Many groups have raised concerns about the impacts on Read More