Environmental Charities in Toronto

By Elli Davis, October 8, 2011

Seeds by Advait Supnekar

Giving back to the community is one of the nicest things one can do. Networks for helping those in need are fabulously well developed and widespread in Toronto. There are hundreds of charities in our city devoted to various causes. To learn a bit more about them, check out the very useful guide to charities, charity-related events, charity jobs, and volunteering in Toronto on the Toronto Charities website.

It is not enough to just know these charities exist; it is also important to help. All the charities accept donations, and the vast majority need volunteers as well. Do you need an idea for a gift to give a friend who has absolutely everything? Why not to give them a gift card supporting some of the Canadian charities? Check out the CanadaHelps gift card. It is you who chooses a card and an amount, but it is up to your friend which charity they will decide to support. There is no better gift you can give someone than their satisfaction and sense of fulfillment.

Take a closer look at some of Toronto‘s charities you might want to support. In this article, I want to concentrate on charities dealing with environmental issues, but there will be articles about charities with other focuses, too.

Evergreen

Evergreen Brick Works by Payton Chung

Since 1991 Evergreen has been one of the leading Canadian charities trying to "make cities more livable.” The charity’s goal is to strengthen the connection between us, the people, and nature by engaging the Canadian public in forming a sustainable society. Right in the heart of the Don River Valley, you can find the Evergreen Brick Works: Toronto’s “environmental community centre and green cities centre for urban sustainability.” The centre offers everything from programs for kids to a Farmers market — all the activities aimed to create and sustain outdoor spaces in homes and schools as well as communities.

If you want to help the future of greener cities, you can donate (online or in person, donate just once, make a monthly donation, donate in the memory of a loved one, or give a donation to Evergreen as a gift to someone) or volunteer. Volunteers can help outside by planting trees or taking pictures, or in the office doing research, for instance. If you are interested in more information about the ways you can help, or in the current events of this particular charity, check out Evergreen’s website or subscribe to their newsletter.

Ecojustice

Ecojustice

At times goodwill and activities such as planting trees and learning about the environment simply is not enough. The environment often needs to be defended through the law. Ecojustice, a charitable organization “dedicated to defending Canadians’ right to a healthy environment” provides exactly that. It was founded in 1990 and brings together lawyers and scientists whose main goal is to protect the environment. The organization concentrates on four main areas: climate protection, clean water, natural spaces, and healthy communities, and it provides free legal services to both charities and individuals who are fighting for a greener world.

Furthermore, Ecojustice organizes various campaigns and workshops — all in an attempt to make our planet a better place. The funding of the organization is fully provided by donors. If you would like to become one, it is very easy to do so. You can donate online, donate monthly, or donate in the name of someone else. For more information, visit Ecojustice office at 401-550 Bayview Avenue, take a look at its webpage, or sign up to receive regular updates by email.

Earth Rangers

Ball Python Barn Owl by Earth Rangers

Children are our future, and if we want a better and greener environment in the forthcoming years, it is only wise to engage them in world-changing activities from an early age. Obviously, small kids are still very playful; educating them about helping the environment therefore has to be done in a fun and interactive way. That is what the Earth Rangers are here for.

This charitable organization aims to “inspire children with a lasting passion to build a better future.” Thanks to entertaining live shows (with some lovely animals in attendance) and a fantastic website, thousands of children experience and learn just what they should to make the world a greener place. If there are no Earth Ranger events at your children’s school, take them to the Royal Ontario Museum for the Power of One show. Many little ones absolutely adore the website of the organization as well.

Once they see that, they will most likely want to help themselves — you will not have to do any persuading. If it is you who wants to contribute to the development of the organization and the environment, donations are very welcomed. You can even choose which of the animals featured on the website you wish to support.

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