Residents of Guildwood treasure the natural environment that surrounds us. We are incredibly lucky to live in an area that is so rich in wildlife and plant life, in the middle of Canada’s largest urban region. The remnants of the Carolinian forest at Guild Park and along the Bluffs support an abundance of birds, insects and wildlife, and our area is a key gathering point for the annual migrations of monarch butterflies and many species of birds.
Our natural environment and local biodiversity are under constant threat from a variety of sources including air and noise pollution, invasive and non-native plants, climate change, industrialization and development. According to Toronto’s 2019 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory, buildings alone accounted for 57% of the City’s fossil fuel emissions and cars were the second greatest contributors in 2019, accounting for 36% of the overall fossil fuel emissions.
As a community, it is in all our interests to do whatever we can to protect our environment from further degradation and to do whatever we can to help the City achieve its NetZero targets. But it’s not all about reducing emissions. The GVCA has long supported environmental initiatives such as the shoreline and community clean-ups, recycling, bike sharing, tree planting and other activities such as the GVCA Climate Conversation that was held in January 2020. Now we want to take our environmental initiatives a step further by providing residents of our community with information on a wide range of environmental and sustainability issues and solutions.
The links below will help to get you started. This is just the beginning, and we welcome your suggestions for adding to this list. If you have additional resources you would like to bring to our attention, please contact us.
City of Toronto green initiatives:
TransformTO: The City of Toronto’s strategy to achieve net zero emissions by 2030 - 2050
LiveGreenTO: A central source for all things related to environmental initiatives in the city.
BetterHomesTO: Toronto’s resource for creating a climate-friendly and energy-efficient home, including information on available homeowners grants.
Pollinator Protection Strategy: Toronto’s ground-breaking pollinator strategy.
Get Growing Toronto: How to create your own vegetable garden.
ActiveTO: Encouraging safe cycling and bicycle paths during the pandemic.
Other Toronto-based initiatives:
Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF): Get free trees and shrubs for your back yard!
Connect with local Guildwood-based groups:
Green Guildwood Facebook page and Green Guildwood website: Lots of information about re-using, recycling, upcycling, living sustainably, growing your food, bike repair cafés and more!
Guildwood on the Curb: Great local Facebook page for recycling/upcycling your unwanted items and finding new-to-you items – all free.
Guildwood Village Buy & Sell: Another great way to upcycle but you might have to pay for it!
Guildwood Butterflyway Facebook page and Guildwood Butterflyway website: Everything you need to know about gardening for pollinators.
The Guildwoodian: Community advocacy and news, including articles and information about local environmental issues and concerns.
Green Neighbours 24: A community group working throughout Ward 24 (Scarborough-Guildwood) to encourage environmentally sustainable lifestyles.
Other community associations’ environmental initiatives:
Harbord Village Residents’ Association NetZero Project: Lots of useful information from the HVRA including a how-to manual on reducing your carbon footprint (because why re-invent the wheel – they have already done a great job!).
Scarborough Bluffs Community Association: Creating a pollinator pathway.
Bayview Village Association: Living with Wildlife blog, ravine tours, tree giveaways, petitions.
Long Branch Neighborhood Association: Tree Canopy Preservation Project.
Upcoming Events: Stay Tuned!
Community Clean Up Day – Details to Come!
Guildwood’s First Annual Tree Give Away – June 4, 2022. Details to Come!
Guildwood Garage Sale Day – May 28, 2022.