Meet our InTO the Ravines Community Champions

Nawal Ateeq – Flemingdon Community Support Services – Don River Ravine 

“Flemingdon Park is blessed with huge green spaces and a ravine system that is the envy of most neighbourhoods in the GTA. For me, it is impossible to imagine my neighbourhood without its open green spaces and ravines, which have offered an escape from the multi-storied apartment buildings, especially now more than ever. I am looking forward to learning more about our ravines and how to engage people in the areas that are underused.”  

Safia Parveen – Thorncliffe Wellness Cafe Group – Don River Ravine & Leaside Park

“I am excited about becoming an InTO the Ravines Community Champion because I am a community activist, I know what my community needs. During the COVID-19, everyone was scared to go out in the fresh air after the lockdown. It is very important to breathe in the fresh air. I look forward to breaking the isolation of newcomers, adults, elderly persons etc., it is very important to live a social life.”

Maria Londoño – Dallington Pollinators – Don River East Branch (York Mills and Don Mills)

“I am excited to be an InTO the Ravines Community Champion because it is a great way to invite others to create a rewarding connection with nature in their everyday lives!”

Nadira Tabassum – Shwasti – Taylor Creek & Taylor Creek Park and garden

“We are interested in this program because this is new attention and information for the people in our community. They will gain some new knowledge about ravines how ravines should be utilized, how ravines are contributing to our environment and climate change. The community people will realize their importance in our lives.”

Chris Somner – Keelesdale Neighbourhood Group – Black Creek

“A Cleaner and Greener Black Creek is a happier Keelesdale neighbourhood”.

Adassa Boswell – Rexdale Walking Group – Humber River & Rowntree Mills Park (Humber River Recreational Trail)

“Some residents have probably never been in a park or ravine before, I look forward to sharing what I learn and connect people to our ravines, which then connect people to nature – it’s healthy and free access. I also want to learn about the city’s rich history and Indigenous knowledge and heritage”.

Sharon Glaves – Scarlettwood – Humber River & Raymore Park (Humber River Recreational Trail)

“Scarlettwood, where I live, is next door to a beautiful ravine down the Humber/Raymore Park. I am excited to become an InTO the Ravines Champion because I myself am just now becoming aware of how beautiful our ravine is and I want to learn as much as I can about its history and all it has to offer and be able to share that with my community.”

Laura Hammond – Birchmount Community Action Council – Taylor-Massey Creek

“I am looking forward to learning more about the biodiversity of our ravines, its history, and the current state of these places. I think our community will benefit from having a stronger connection to nature and I look forward to hearing their experience and stories as they connect to nature”.

Farhad Abdulle – Somali Women’s and Children’s Support Network – Humber Creek & Wincott Park

“I am very excited to work with the InTO the Ravines Community Champions program. For me, a park is a place I can go with friends to play sports, or I can go alone to bike, hike, relax, and enjoy the scenery.”

Annisha Stewart – Humber River & Summerlea Park

“I look forward to sharing this new information about the ravine with my community. And I look forward to helping us connect to nature in a deeper and more meaningful way to help us begin to heal.”