$195,500 OTF Grant strengthens community resilience by helping The Riverwood Conservancy deliver nature-based wellness programs
Mississauga, ON – On Saturday, representatives from local MPP Natalia Kusendova-Bashta’s office were on hand at Riverwood Park as residents took part in an outdoor yoga program facilitated by The Riverwood Conservancy. The program is one of several wellness programs that the conservancy has been able to deliver, thanks to a $195,500 Resilient Communities Fund grant they received from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF).
“Our government is proud to support non-profits recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and help build their resiliency through the Ontario Trillium Foundation,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, MPP for Mississauga Centre. “It is promising to see the programming and initiatives The Riverwood Conservancy was able to deliver thanks to this OTF grant, and I am assured they will be better equipped to serve our community and thrive in the years to come.”
The grant, awarded in 2023, provided funding for The Riverwood Conservancy to plan and deliver wellness programs like outdoor yoga and qi gong, as well as therapeutic horticulture programs for individuals with special needs. In addition, funds from the OTF grant supported the Conservancy’s strategic planning efforts and technology upgrades.
“Expanding our wellness programs let us connect a diverse range of participants to nature, and the therapeutic horticulture programs that this grant supported have provided powerful opportunities for social and physical engagement with nature for those in our community living with disabilities,” said Derek Stone, Program Director at The Riverwood Conservancy.
The Riverwood Conservancy (TRC) is a registered charity that provides programs and direction for Riverwood, a 150-acre urban nature preserve situated on the shores of the Credit River in Mississauga. TRC enables people of all cultures, ages, and abilities to respectfully connect with nature and learn about the importance of conserving natural spaces. Visit theriverwoodconservancy.org to learn more.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested nearly $105M into 732 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
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Derek Stone, Program Director at The Riverwood Conservancy, and Taha Khawaja, Manager of Stakeholder Relations at the Office of MPP Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, commemorate the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s grant to The Riverwood Conservancy.
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Mississauga residents participate in a Yoga in Nature program at Riverwood on Saturday, June 23, 2025.
Organization Contact for Media Inquiries
Rasheed Clarke, Marketing Specialist, The Riverwood Conservancy
647-567-7274 | rasheed.clarke@theriverwoodconservancy.org