You can help the Don River without leaving your home! Everyone lives in a watershed. The water that runs off your property will eventually flow into a river. Here is a list of things you can do around the house to help improve the water in the river.

Conserve water
There are many things you can do to save litres of water each day. Please see the city's suggestions and our water efficiency plan.

Control runoff from your property
Eliminate harmful runoff. Replace rock salt with sand or calcium magnesium acetate. Take your car to a carwash rather than washing it on the street. Do not use pesticides and reduce fertilizer use.

Disconnect your downspouts
This redirects rainwater away from the sewer system onto your lawn to recharge the groundwater supply.

Dispose of hazardous products correctly
Household chemicals harm fish and wildlife and contaminate drinking water if dumped into storm sewers or drains. Take household hazardous waste to a depot for safe disposal. Call 416-392-4330 for depot locations.

Make a donation
Support the Task Force to Bring Back the Don with a personal or company donation. For information, see Donation Opportunities.

Naturalize your yard
Native trees and plants provide habitat and food for birds and other wildlife. Call the City of Toronto at 416-392-7281 and get a free tree for your front yard. For more information about naturalization options check out the following websites:

LEAF
Evergreen
Federation of Ontario Naturalists

The Friends of the Don East have a program called "Another Yard for the Don". If you are interested in naturalizing your garden visit their website,

Riversides is an organization dedicated to improving water quality in Toronto. They have a lot of information on helpful things you can do. Visit them at www.riversides.org