Urban Ravine Summit: Connecting People, Place & Purpose

Join us on Friday, November 7, 2025, for a full-day event exploring the role of Toronto’s ravine system in building more connected, resilient, and inclusive communities.

Hosted at Toronto Botanical Garden, the Urban Ravine Summit brings together municipal staff, community leaders, environmental professionals, planners, and nonprofit partners to explore how we care for and work within ravine landscapes. With a focus on connection — to people, to place, and to shared purpose — this year’s program will highlight collaborative models, nature-based solutions, and the importance of community in shaping our urban ecosystems.

Presented by Toronto Botanical Garden and Park People. Generously supported by the Echo Foundation and Enbridge Gas.

Program Highlights

• Morning Sessions: Presentations and panels exploring urban nature, ravine stewardship, and collaborative approaches to city-building — highlighting innovative strategies for integrating natural spaces within the urban fabric.

• Keynote Address: With Dr. Nadina Galle

• Lunch & Networking: Enjoy a delicious and sustainable plant-based catered lunch by Daniel et Daniel.
• Afternoon Breakout Sessions: Facilitated sessions offering opportunities for professional exchange, case study sharing, and sector-specific dialogue.

Wilket Creek Ravine Tour - Homa Jammehdiabadi & Wai Yeung, TBG

Anishinaabemowin Bird Names – Junaid Shahzad Khan, Andrés Jiménez Monge & Joseph Pitawanakwat, Creator's Garden

Centering Equity in Public Greenspace Initiatives: A Fire Circle Sharing Session – Colin Love, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)

Introduction to Forest Bathing – Laura Bincik, TBG

A Gardening Conundrum: Why are invasive plants still sold in garden centres? - Claudette Sims, Canadian Coalition for Invasive Plant Regulation (CCIPR) and Master Gardeners of Ontario (MGOI)

Measuring Health, Wellbeing, & Equity through Greenspace Programs: A Toolkit and Insights from Sparking Change Toronto – Nadha Hassen & Joy Sammy, Park People

Fireside Tree Talk - Elder Donna Powless

Please note, this session is two hours and will run for both breakout session blocks. Participants will only be able to register for this single session.

Wilket Creek Ravine Tour - Homa Jammehdiabadi & Wai Yeung, TBG

Anishinaabemowin Bird Names – Junaid Shahzad Khan, Andrés Jiménez Monge & Joseph Pitawanakwat, Creator's Garden

Centering Equity in Public Greenspace Initiatives: A Fire Circle Sharing Session – Colin Love, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)

Introduction to Forest Bathing – Laura Bincik, TBG

Making Trails and Ravines Safer and More Inclusive through Community-Engaged Research – Sophie Callahan, The Centre for Active Transportation (TCAT) at Clean Air Partnership

Nordheimer Ravine: An Exemplary Process of Revitalization and Citizen Engagement – Susan Aaron, Nordheimer Ravine

Full description of each session can be found on our website:

• Group orders (5+) may be purhcased at a discounted price, please contact [email protected] for more details.
• Please review our Refund Policy and Terms of Agreement.
• For more information on accessibility at the garden please review our Accessibility Features webpage. If you have any accessibility requirements during your program please email [email protected].

Join the Toronto Botanical Garden (TBG) as a member to get a discount on this program, upcoming events and classes, and free parking. A TBG membership helps you deepen your knowledge and connection to the natural world, become a part of a dynamic community of plant people, and be inspired! Become a member!

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Ave E, Toronto, Canada