Todmorden Mills Wildflower Preserve (TMWP), a Canadian nonprofit organization (Business Registration Number 893056572RR0001), manages a 9-hectare natural area within Toronto's Don Valley. Established in 1991 through a proposal by naturalists Charles Sauriol and Dave Money, the preserve focuses on ecological restoration of a historically degraded site adjacent to the Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum[5][4][2].

History

The preserve occupies land once part of an 18th-century industrial settlement that became heavily altered by 19th-century urbanization, river rerouting, and 20th-century Don Valley Parkway construction. By the late 1900s, the area contained invasive species like Manitoba maple, crack willow, garlic mustard, and Japanese knotweed, alongside construction fill and pollution[4][2][5].

Ecological work

Volunteers and partners prioritize:

• Invasive species removal targeting dominant non-native plants
• Native species reintroduction including regionally appropriate trees, shrubs, and wildflowers
• Habitat creation through controlled plantings and naturalization of the Don River oxbow
• Pollution mitigation from highway runoff and historical waste[4][2][1].

Ecosystem composition

A 2003 ecological study classified the preserve’s vegetation communities using Ontario’s Ecological Land Classification system. Native species now account for 68% of documented trees and shrubs, though invasive plants remain a challenge[2][4][1]. The site features floodplain, slope, and forest habitats modified by human activity[4][2].

Public engagement

The organization maintains walking trails and offers guided tours to promote environmental education. Its efforts demonstrate urban habitat rehabilitation strategies within a major metropolitan area[4][3][1].