Applications for the 2025 YRL program are closed.
You may sign up to receive an email notification when registration opens for the 2026 program!
Click here to watch the Virtual Information Session for the Young Ravine Leaders Program held on July 24, 2025.
Training Tomorrow's Ravine Leaders
The Young Ravine Leaders (YRL) program is a free, four-part, educational and training program designed to provide an in-depth overview of Toronto’s ravines, community stewardship and career development to youth (ages 18 to 29) who are exploring opportunities in the environmental field.
Our expert speakers will provide engaging virtual sessions that will empower participants with the knowledge and skills to enhance Toronto’s ravines and urban forest. Independent and in-person group activities are planned to give participants the opportunity to strengthen their learning experience.
The program is designed to be accessible to all educational backgrounds. Participants are not required to have any experience within the environmental field to apply.
The program seeks to support Toronto youth from Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (NIAs) and/or historically underrecognized groups within ravine ecology, urban forestry and environmental stewardship including (but not limited to) women, non-binary people, Indigenous peoples, newcomers, 2SLGBTQ+ persons and racialized individuals.
The Young Ravine Leaders Program is funded by the City of Toronto.
Become A Young Ravine Leader
Become a Young Ravine Leader!
This program aims to empower the next group of ravine advocates in the City of Toronto! The goal of the program is to provide a valuable learning experience in the fields of ravine ecology, urban forestry and environmental stewardship.
Benefits to Participants:
- Explore various volunteer opportunities and career paths in ravine ecology, urban forestry and environmental stewardship
- Meet and network with industry professionals
- Gain knowledge and training from industry experts on ravine ecology, urban forestry and environmental stewardship
- Build meaningful connections with like-minded young people and explore networking opportunities
- Solidify online learnings through independent or in-person, group activities
Applicant Criteria
Applicants Must:
- Be between the ages of 18 and 29
- Be a resident of the City of Toronto
- Be able to commit to workshop sessions in the fall
- Have an interest in ravines, urban forestry and/or environmental stewardship
- Priority will be given to applicants from NIAs and/or underrepresented groups within ravine ecology, urban forestry and environmental stewardship with a need to participate in a fully-funded, educational program.
Applications for the 2025 YRL program are open!
Program applications close Monday, August 11th, 2025 at 11:59 PM.
Click here to watch the virtual information session for the Young Ravine Leaders Program held on July 24, 2025.
The Young Ravine Leaders Program is funded by the City of Toronto through the Ravine Strategy.
LEAF adopts and upholds the City of Toronto’s policy statement, which prohibits discrimination and harassment and protects the right to be free of hate activity, based on age, ancestry, citizenship, creed (religion), colour, disability, ethnic origin, family status, gender identity, level of literacy, marital status, place of origin, membership in a union or staff association, political affiliation, race, receipt of public assistance, record of offences, sex, sexual orientation or any other personal characteristics by or within the organization.
Supporting Partners
