Our RTOERO District 23 Community Service Grant for 2021 to 2022 focused on fostering peaceful coexistence between people and urban wildlife. With an RTOERO grant of $2500, we organized information sessions for seniors and school-age children that built our understanding of the challenges wildlife encounter in an urban setting and educated us on humane approaches to manage and coexist with our wildlife.

We partnered with the Toronto Wildlife Centre (TWC), the only veterinary hospital and rehabilitation facility for sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals in the GTA. Victoria Badham, Communications and Education Manager of the TWC, delivered three outstanding webinars for our District 23 membership.

Birds and Cities: Reducing Threats and Saving Birds Lives!
Tuesday, January 25, 2022 – Time: 10:00 a.m.

Our first session took place on January 25, 2022. We learned about the top dangers facing songbirds, waterbirds, and birds of prey, as well as the remarkable work TWC is doing to help birds get back to the wild. We also learned the significant impact small individual actions can have on our feathered neighbours. Click here to view the slide deck and video recording.

Meet Your Wild Neighbours! Common, Feared, Weird and Revered!
Wednesday, February 23, 2022 – Time: 10:00 a.m.

We also arranged for school presentations which were well received.

“Thank you, District 23, for this especially important initiative. I, too, have been genuinely concerned about the decrease in the bird population, particularly evident in our city with its lack of songbirds.  Therefore, it is wonderful to have presentations that address this issue“.

Susan Billington, TDSB principal.

I hope you were able to attend these virtual presentations, or view the recordings. If you wish further information, please contact me at rto.wildlife@gmail.com.

Cheryl Paige, Convener