Earth Week Across the GTA: Residents Plant Trees, Track Frogs, and Bring Climate Action Home
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is hosting a series of community-driven Earth Week events that bring environmental action into neighbourhoods, creating opportunities for residents across the GTA to connect, learn, and take part in meaningful work close to home.
From families introducing toddlers to nature for the first time, to planting native trees, restoring local parks, tracking frog populations, and building climate-resilient gardens – these events show how local action can support healthier, more resilient communities.
Earth Week 2026 Events
Take Pride in Pickering: Community Tree Planting
Join TRCA for a day of environmental action to plant trees and show pride in Pickering at Alex Robertson Park! Participants will work together to make the community greener and healthier by planting trees.
This in-person event is a great opportunity to connect with neighbours and make a positive impact on the environment. No experience is necessary: participants are encouraged to bring their enthusiasm and willingness to get their hands dirty.
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: Alex Robertson Park, 700 Sandy Beach Road, Pickering
Climate Ready Homes: Rain Gardens 101
Join TRCA’s Climate Ready Homes team at the upcoming Richmond Hill event, Our Power, Our Planet: An Earth Day Celebration, where they will lead Rain Gardens 101.
Participants will explore climate-smart rain garden designs and learn how to create one suited to their property. Attendees are encouraged to register for the workshop and stay for the Earth Day event, which includes hands-on activities for all ages.
What participants will learn:
- Foundations of rain garden design
- Environmental benefits of rain gardens
- How to choose the right rain garden for their home
Participants can also enjoy free refreshments and enter for a chance to win a door prize.
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location: Central Branch, Richmond Hill Public Library, 1 Atkinson Street, Richmond Hill
Earth Day: Inuit Soap Carving Workshop
Earth Day will be celebrated through a hands-on workshop led by Inuk artist Barry Best, combining storytelling, creativity, and reflection.
- Explore Inuit values such as interconnectedness, observation, and respect for materials
- Build cultural awareness through storytelling and shared creative experience
- Discover The Village at Black Creek on a guided walk featuring artist Barry Best’s installation
- Participants will take home a sustainable, hand-carved soap art piece they create themselves
Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: The Village at Black Creek, 1000 Murray Ross Parkway, Toronto
Maximizing Your Garden Workshop
Get started on a garden this spring with native plants, rain barrels, and composters.
In partnership with the Richmond Hill Healthy Yards program, this workshop is designed for those looking to begin or improve their garden, with practical guidance on selecting native plants, using rain barrels, and incorporating composters to get the most out of the growing season.
Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Bayview Hill Community Centre (Teasdale Room), 114 Spadina Road, Richmond Hill, ON
Climate Ready Homes: Beautiful Native Plants
Looking for a fail-proof gardening project this spring? Native plants are beautiful, low-maintenance options that can brighten up any space!
Join Rexdale SNAP and Climate Ready Homes for this workshop and learn how native plants can create a thriving, low-maintenance garden at home.
The workshop provides inspiration and practical tools for creating a natural garden oasis.
Participants can also enjoy free refreshments and enter for a chance to win a door prize.
Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Rexdale Community Hub, (Community Room B), 21 Panorama Court, Etobicoke
Frog Watch: Cold Creek Conservation Area
Celebrate Earth Week while listening to the sounds of spring!
Participants will learn about Ontario’s frogs and toads and how to identify them by their unique calls. The program also demonstrates how to get involved with citizen science initiatives to help monitor amphibian populations across the province.
This event is intended for Ages 6+.
Date: Thursday, April 23, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Cold Creek Conservation Area, 14125 11th Concession, Nobleton
Community Tree Planting: Ajax Green Living Days
Celebrate Ajax by planting native trees with the community for this Ajax Green Living Days event! The Town of Ajax is partnering with TRCA for a community tree planting event at Greenwood Conservation Area (North Flats). Participants will join TRCA in planting 1,300 native trees and shrubs to help enhance the local canopy cover.
Event hours will count towards high school volunteer hours.
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Greenwood Conversation Area (North Flats), 2290 Greenwood Rd, Ajax
Let’s Clean Up The Meadoway!
Join TRCA for the fifth annual Earth Day clean-up at The Meadoway!
Participants will work together to clean up The Meadoway, with the litter collected contributing to community science projects that support the health of local watersheds. Gloves, garbage bags, and litter picker tools will be provided for use during the event.
To help document the plants and animals that inhabit The Meadoway, TRCA will also run a mini bio blitz, recording observations for the City Nature Challenge 2026: Toronto and GTA iNaturalist project.
Participants in the mini bio blitz should bring a data-enabled device with the iNaturalist app installed.
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: The Meadoway (Daventry Garden Plots), 19 Daventry Road, Scarborough
More Family-friendly TRCA Events and Activities
Little Seedlings & Little Saplings
Families with children aged 1 to 4 are invited to take part in a hands-on program that builds early interest and comfort in the outdoors.
Each session introduces simple, nature-based experiences through sensory play, songs, stories, and guided activities designed for young children. Parents and caregivers are supported throughout, with practical guidance to help children explore at their own pace.
- Little Seedlings (Ages 1-2): The focus is on sensory play, songs, stories, and building confidence to play and explore the natural world.
- Little Saplings (Ages 2-4): Activities remain play-based and experiential; participants will venture a little farther afield and begin building skills for independent exploration in nature.
Dates: April 18, 19, and 20, 2026
Time: Little Saplings (Ages 2-4) – 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. | Little Seedlings (Ages 1-2) – 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: Kortright Centre for Conservation, 9550 Pine Valley Drive, Woodbridge
The Nature School Weekend Program
The Nature School at Kortright takes place primarily outside on Kortright Centre for Conservation’s 555-acre property, which provides access to a wide variety of natural ecosystems, accessible trails, and facilities.
For those in Woodbridge, this weekend program provides children with an opportunity to explore and learn in a natural setting.
- Preschool (Ages 2.5-5): Saturdays starting April 18 OR Sundays starting April 19
- Primary/Junior (Ages 5-11): Saturdays starting April 18 OR Sundays starting April 19
Dates: April 18 or 19, 2026
Time: Preschool (Ages 2.5-5) – 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | Primary/Junior (Ages 5-11) – 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Kortright Centre for Conservation, 9550 Pine Valley Drive, Woodbridge