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  • Arboretum staff holds up a spider plant for a room of learners

ArbWalks & ArbTalks

(formerly Lunch and Learns)

Join Humber Arboretum staff and special guests for short introductions to topics related to gardening, ecology, and sustainability. Free for anyone to attend, these outdoor tours and indoor presentations are especially convenient for students, staff, and faculty of the college along with the local community.

Upcoming ArbWalks & ArbTalks

All sessions are free, but in some cases space is limited. Please follow the links as they become live to see if you need to register in advance to reserve your spot.

  • Friday May 5: Beginner Bird Walk (part of the Toronto Bird Celebration) 12:15 to 12:45 PM

See our calendar for details and other upcoming events at the Humber Arboretum.

 

 

An Arb staff member gives a presentation

Certified Co-Curricular Record logoDid you know? Humber College and University of Guelph-Humber students may apply participation in many of the Arboretum's free workshops - including ArbWalk & Talks - to Co-Curricular Record Certified programs. The CCR program provides a second transcript upon graduation which outlines learning that took place outside of a student's academic program.

 

Previous Topics

Did you miss out on a topic that interests you? Let us know! We may be able to offer repeat sessions based on popular demand.

An instructor stands beside a maple tree while others listen

Sustainable Maple Syrup Walk & Learn (Feb 2018 & March 2019)

Presented by by Coordinator of Education, Camps, and Community Outreach Jimmy Vincent

This tour of the Humber Arboretum's sustainable urban sugar bush included seeing a tree tapped, tasting maple sap, and seeing sap in the process of being boiled down into syrup in the Arboretum's outdoor evaporator. 

Balcony Gardening with the TRCA  (March 2019)

Led by Emily Rondel from Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA)

This workshop explored many elements of gardening in small spaces including plant and container choices and more uncommon considerations such as wind and weight. 

A collage of images show a young woman speaking to a group, three women listening, and a hand-written page next to a pinecone

Creative Writing Mindfulness  (Feb 2019)

Led by Nature Interpreter Tanisha Rajput

This indoor session began with the mindfulness practice of a sit-spot, after which the group was given a variety of writing prompts to help spark their creativity. 

A woman uses takes a photo of her thumb held out next to a track to measure size

Winter Tracking  (Jan 2019)

Led by Sr. Nature Interpreter Reid Williamson

After making a list of the species likely to leave tracks in the Arboretum in winter, the group strapped on snowshoes and headed out to discover all the features to look for when trying to identify what type of wildlife had left their mark. See photos from the workshop on Facebook.

A man gives a presentation in front of floor-to-ceiling windows that provide a view of trees outside

What is Nature RX? The Benefits of Spending Time in Nature  (Nov 2018)

Led by Coordinator of Camps, Education, and Community Outreach Jimmy Vincent

Attendees learned about the growing body of evidence showing physical and mental health benefits that come from spending time in nature, along with outcomes our staff have personally witnessed from nature camp, mindfulness, and other Arboretum activities.

A young woman with a DSLR camera held up to her face leans in to take a photo of tall ornamental grasses

Fall Nature Photography Walk (Oct 2018)

Led by Coordinator of Camps, Education, and Community Outreach Jimmy Vincent and Communications Assistant Marilyn Campbell

A walk through the meadow and forest explored the details of fall through the lens - whether that lens was attached to a DSLR or the back of a cellphone.  

A rests his hand on an interpretive sign on the edge of a garden as he speaks to a group

Meet the Birds of the Tranquility Bird Garden (October 2018)

Led by Coordinator of Education, Camps, and Community Outreach Jimmy Vincent

Weather kept most of the birds away, but participants learned about the development of the garden and how its features support local and migratory birds. 

Three pairs of hands feel leaves; the people are outside on a trail

National Tree Day: Fall Changes and Tree ID Tour (Sept 2018)

Led by Coordinator of Education, Camps, and Community Outreach Jimmy Vincent

On a day dedicated to celebrating trees, we took a hands-on look at species from near and far. 

Three women crouch by the side of a pond taking photos with a variety of cameras

Nature Photography Walk (June 2018)

Led by Communications Assistant Marilyn Campbell

Participants took a tour of the Arboretum full of tips for taking interesting photos of plants and wildlife with minimal disturbance to the natural environment. Whether you're using a cellphone camera, point and shoot, or DSLR, the focus was on taking advantage of what your equipment is already good at. 

American robin

Simple Citizen Science: Take Ten for the Birds (June 2018)

Presented by Communications Assistant Marilyn Campbell

Got ten minutes and a view of the outdoors? You don't need to be a nature expert to become a citizen scientist. Participants learned how easy it is to get started learning common birds and for anyone to contribute much-needed Stationary Counts to the international eBird database. This was a beginner workshop - absolutely no bird-watching or citizen science experience was necessary!

A collage of various presenters in front of a screen

Putting Toronto’s Ravine Strategy into Action: Humber’s Sustainable Pond Project (May 2018)

Presented by Humber Arboretum Director Alexandra Link and staff from the TRCA

The new Sustainable Pond Project at Humber College is an exciting restoration project which will help protect the health of the Humber River while providing improved wildlife habitat and gathering spaces for the community. During Toronto's Ravine Days celebration, attendees heard about the benefits of the project and how it will help support the city's new Ravine Strategy.

Jimmy Vincent stands in front of a group of children holding a bucket full of maple sap

Connecting Kids with Nature (April 2018)

Presented by Coordinator of Education, Camps, and Community Outreach Jimmy Vincent

Participants joined Jimmy Vincent for a tour of the Arboretum that highlighted what his decade of experience running camps and nature programs at the Centre for Urban Ecology has taught him about how to get kids engaged with and excited about the natural world.

A woman stands in front of a presentation screen that reads "Keep a Respectful Distance - The Wildlife Will Say When"

Sustainable Snapshots: Ethical Nature Photography (March 2018)

Presented by Communications Assistant Marilyn Campbell

It’s never been easier to get outside and take a great photo – but did your last selfie cause unintentional harm? Participants learned how to take plant, wildlife, and landscape photos that not only avoid a negative impact, but can actually help the natural world.

A collage of a presentation and art projects being made of natural materials

Exploring Art & Ecology (Feb & March 2018)

Presented by Senior Nature Interpreter Benjamin Verdicchio

The Art & Ecology program at the Centre for Urban Ecology is a hit with school groups and nature campers alike. Learn about the ideas behind creating place-based art using natural materials and discover how people of any age can use those ideas to engage with the outdoors.

An instructor discusses an image of a leaf with the title Is It a Maple?

Beech, Birch, or Buckeye? An Introduction to Tree ID (March 2018)

Presented by Senior Nature Interpreter Ken MacGillivray

Ever wonder which maples are good for making syrup? Want to know why the words coniferous and evergreen don’t mean the same thing? This introduction to a variety trees species included tips on how to go beyond leaves and use bark, branches, and buds to help you solve any tree mystery. 

A man speaks in front of a group of people

(Gardening for) The Birds and the Bees (Feb 2018)

Presented by Coordinator of Education, Camps, and Community Outreach Jimmy Vincent

Celebrate Valentine’s Day by spreading the love to the natural world – learn how to design a garden that birds and pollinators will adore. Growing native plants is a great way to help combat the loss of habitat, all while bringing more life to your yard. 

A collage of a presentation and people potting plants

Indoor Plants for Rez Rooms and Beyond (Jan 2018)

Presented by Greenhouse Technician Valeria Wuschnakowski

You don’t need a yard to add a little more life to your living space! Join Arboretum staff for a beginner’s guide to growing indoor plants. Learn about types of containers, different soils and other growing mediums, placement tips, and watering techniques. Pot a young spider plant and snake plant to take home.

An Arboretum staff member points to a collection of bird photos

Sparrow, Swallow, or Chickadee? An Introduction to Bird ID (Jan 2018)

Presented by Senior Nature Interpreter Ken MacGillivray

Would you like to know more about the local birds you see every day? Join Arboretum staff for a fun, free presentation on local birds. Get an overview of bird families & types; learn what field marks are and how to use them; and learn to recognize a few of our favourite feathered friends. 

A TRCA instructor points to a diagram on a TV screen

Greening Your Grounds: Getting Started with Rainscaping (2017)

Presented by TRCA

Join staff from Toronto and Region Conservation for an introduction to stormwater-friendly landscaping for homeowners. We'll look at rain barrels, rain chains, rain gardens and permeable paving. Participants will go home with a free copy of the Greening Your Grounds Homeowner's Guide.