Our green spaces thrive because of our caring donors
Our donors make our gardens grow! Without such dedicated and caring supporters, Riverwood would not be the same.
Whenever I look around Riverwood’s gardens, I’m amazed by all the life around me. You can see the flowers blooming, pollinators buzzing and fluttering, and our volunteer gardeners tending to the plots with care. Seeing community and nature come together like this reminds me of just how much work and devotion goes into making Riverwood a beautiful place for people, plants, and wildlife alike.
It’s because our community members give from the heart, that our gardens can bloom and thrive. Last year, they helped us expand our Veggie Garden and plant more food crops than ever. Our volunteers hand-delivered 300 lbs. of fresh produce to our local food bank, showing that nature, too, gives with abundance.
Just across the path from the Veggie Garden, our Pollinator Paradise is thriving in its second year. This lush area of plants native to Ontario provides a home for birds, butterflies, bees, and countless other creatures. The air is quite literally buzzing with life – next time you walk by, don’t forget to stop and listen! These garden neighbours are also the perfect pair to teach our youngest visitors from local schools about how food is grown, from pollination to harvest.
Our gardens coordinator, Taya, works hand-in-hand with our volunteer gardeners and is always thinking about bringing together community and nature. “Lots of people in our city may not have a garden of their own. Riverwood is a green outlet, a place where you can connect to nature and feel that you’re a part of a community”, said Taya.
Your generosity is what makes this all happen! And, as you know, nature needs care. That care doesn’t stop after one plot is planted, or one family spends a day exploring the gardens, or one child spots the magic of a hummingbird in flight. There is no end to the bounty that Riverwood has to offer, as long as we offer our love and care with equal generosity.
I’d like to invite you to continue helping to provide this care. Your gift today will make our gardens grow, protect Riverwood’s ecosystems, and make it possible for kids and families to connect with the natural world around them. You can even choose to make a donation monthly, helping to keep Riverwood resilient all year-round.
Caring for nature – and for each other is – is more important than ever as we learn to cope with climate change. Summers are hotter and drier, like the one we had last year. Taya has noticed that our volunteers have to work extra hard to keep gardens and recently restored natural areas watered, and to keep hydrated themselves. We planted a Climate Resilience garden last year too, so people can see what kind of plants can survive and thrive in hotter temperatures, helping to conserve water.
“Our volunteers are amazing. They help keep the Riverwood beautiful, but even more importantly they make it a place for people to learn and grow.” says Taya.
The same is true for our donors, who sustain our work.
Imagine a green oasis in the heart the city, a place for everyone to connect with nature. A place where you can enjoy the beauty of lush plant life, the serenity of a flowing river, and the marvel of wildlife thriving in the heart of the city.
Your gift today is what makes this a reality, right here at Riverwood.
Our donors make Riverwood such a special place. We hope you’ll be able make a gift this spring and then stop by to see the impact of your generosity first hand.
Sincerely,
Sara Wilbur-Collins, CFRE
Executive Director
The Riverwood Conservancy