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InTO the Ravines: Meet the 2026 Champions

Park People

Jul 30, 2026
Toronto, Ontario

Each year, we support 20 or more InTO the Ravines Champions, working in pairs, with training and support to help them host their own events in Toronto’s ravines.

Meet the 2026 Champions, and hear why they love and care about the ravines, and what the program means for them.

Raha Mahmoudi
Rayanne Banaga

“We get to take time to commune together and frolic to the sounds of birds and running water and rustling leaves, with our friends, family and neighbours—there’s nothing better than that!”

“We believe that our future is deeply rooted in how we honor and listen to Mother Nature today. Becoming InTO the Ravines Champions is our way of creating a sanctuary of connection where people can pause, breathe, and remember their sacred bond with the wild earth. By fostering this deep intimacy with Toronto’s ravine systems, we aim to plant the seeds of collective care, breathing life into a more conscious, connected community that treasures the land as our ultimate home.” 

Manisha Basnet
Gauri Chaudhary
Erica Denburg
Joanne Louis

“Nature is healing and the ravines help us to connect with nature in the city. Ravines remind us of the stretch and reach of water. A reminder that this land is truly all connected. A ravine is like a little escape that does not require a long car ride or a huge amount of planning. Once I am in the ravine, the calm and the quiet gives me space to think and enjoy a little bit of nature within the city.

I also love to see that the ravine is used by everyone…kids, families, pets, friends and solo visitors. It feels like community. Interacting with it ties us to the land as part of nature’s story.”

“Being an InTO the Ravines champion is important to me because I get the opportunity to learn more about our beautiful Ravines and then pass on said knowledge while sharing my love for nature. Knowledge Is Power so this will positively impact my community members who are not aware how our daily habits can harm our Ravines & nature on a whole. Seeing it firsthand through our nature related activity will also enhance the effect of what is verbally said to my community members.” Rasheida

Rasheida O’Brien
Ulrich Stephane Tchiegdjo Tamo
Shanta Chikarmane
Sandhya Ranjit
Shivdas Pai

“Nature, history and meditation – I would like to have an event where we talk about how the Ravines add to the ecological stability of the City, and  why it is important for us to protect the Ravines” -Shanta

“As InTO the Ravines Champions, we are able to host events in the Ravine parks introducing the public to astronomy citizen science and stargazing from within the city. This also gives a chance for astronomy hobbyist in Scarborough that may not be able to make it to other stargazing events a chance to attend one.”

Kevin Chen
Godfrey Benjamin
Tayebeh Pirmoradlou
Saedieh Rashidian

“We are excited to become InTO the Ravines Champions because it gives us the opportunity to connect with nature, learn more about Toronto’s ravines, and encourage others in our community to enjoy these beautiful spaces. We believe this program will benefit our community by promoting outdoor activity, environmental awareness, social connections, and greater access to natural spaces for people of all ages.”

Todd Le Blanc
Diego Cadavid
Omar Abdalla
Amal Kanafani