2005 Events

Saturday, April 16: 10:00 AM - Noon
7TH Annual FODE Spring Fling at Todmorden Mills
Saturday's sunny weather sure beat last year's downpour. Over 60 people came out to help cleanup the Todmorden Mills Wildflower Preserve. Volunteers ranging in age from 2 to 82 collected about 50 bags of garbage and retrieved a couple of discarded bicycles. Attendees were treated to a barbeque lunch and a nature walk led by the chair of the Todmorden Mills Wildflower Preserve Paula Davies. View Pictures of the Event

Saturday, April 23: 10:00 AM - Noon
Mayor David Miller & Councillor Janet Davis' Community Clean Up Day
Despite a steady stream of rain and overall poor weather conditions, a dedicated group of 12 volunteers couldn't be held back from cleaning up their local park and ravine. Thanks to the Friends of Donora Park and Councillor Janet Davis' office, we were able to clean a lot of garbage out of a previously very dirty ravine including 4 shopping carts, 4 tires, assorted bicycle parts and a television!

Successful cleanup crew at Donora Park

Sunday, April 24: 10:00 AM - Noon
Tree Planting at the Goulding Estate
A big thank you is deserved by the Girl Guides who did a fantastic job with other volunteers for another FODE tree planting at the Goulding Estate. The threat of rain couldn't keep over 30 volunteers including our very supportive local Councillor Janet Davis away from this event.

Wednesday, April 27:  6:00 - 8:00 PM
The Future of the Brick Works with Geoff Cape
Evergreen Director Geoff Cape and Brick Works project leader David Stonehouse gave an interesting tour of the site to about a dozen attendees. A round table discussion followed which discussed the possibility of a community liaison process to keep groups such as FODE aware of progress with the Evergreen/Brick Works project.

Martin German and Geoff Cape at the
Brick Works

Sunday, May 8: 11 AM - 1 PM
Current and Future Forests in the Don Valley
A warm sunny day brought out a small group to tour the Crothers' Woods area. The group toured the forest and surrounding area talking about current issues and stopping to examine spring ephemerals and watch the many birds that inhabit this area.

Saturday, May 14: 10:00 AM - Noon
Tree Planting at Park Vista Drive
A cool spring morning greeted a hardy group of about 25 volunteers who planted  350 trees and shrubs on this new restoration site. Thanks to the owners and building managers of Park Vista Drive - CST Inc. and Greenwin Property Managment who provided the funds that supplied the planting material. Thanks also to City of Toronto Natural Environment Section for matching funds as well as providing shovels, gloves and staff support for this event.

Volunteers plant trees and shrubs on hillside just above Taylor Creek.

See Before and After pictures.

Saturday May 28 and Sunday May 29: 10 AM - 4 PM
Doors Open at the Brick Works
An estimated 1,000 visitors came to the Brick Works at its first year participating in the Open Doors festival. While the factory buildings were the focus of the event many people also enjoyed a tour of the natural park in the quarry ponds. FODE was on hand to provide information about the natural areas. FODE members Martin German and John Routh helped by leading tours through the park.

Sunday, June 5: 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Biking through Taylor Massey Park
A small group enjoyed a leisurely bike ride along part of Taylor Massey Creek in FODE's first official Bike Week event. Participants learned about the Creek and surrounding areas from its history to current day woes. The interpretive tour through Taylor Creek Park from Victoria Park Avenue to "the forks" featured many stops along the way and discussion surrounding some of the most ecologically significant areas along the way and efforts being undertaken to conserve and restore this portion of the Don watershed.

Sunday, June 12: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Bike the Lower Don
Our second Bike Week event followed the course of the Don River from the Crothers’ Beechwood wetland to Lake Ontario for an interpretive tour of the Lower Don River. There was much discussion on the many problems and pressures plaguing this highly urbanized area and the various ways that citizens themselves could make a real difference. Stops were made at various restoration and stewardship sites along the way. Participants learned about issues affecting the Don, the many efforts being undertaken to restore it to some of its former glory, and how all of this fits into the lives of local residents.

Saturday, June 18: 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Heritage Toronto Brick Works Tour
Approximately 84 individuals joined FODE hike leader Tom Brown on an eye-opening tour of the Brick Works site in this official Heritage Toronto event. Discussion focused on both the dominant historical significance of this site as well as its unique ecological values. A big "thank you" was justly awarded to Tom by all present for making this a great event for the so many that attended.