Become a Humber Arboretum Ambassador-in-Training
Are you a Humber Polytechnic or University of Guelph-Humber student interested in learning about nature, ecology, and the 100 hectare arboretum connected to Humber Polytechnic North Campus? Sign up for the Humber Arboretum Ambassador-in-Training experience to develop your knowledge and skills while preparing to connect other students to the natural world.
The Ambassador-in-Training experience is the first level in the Humber Arboretum's Learning by Leading™ program.
Animation created by 2019/2020 Arb Creative Co-Coordinator Maria Siabato.
What Will You Do?
Humber Arboretum Ambassadors-in-Training take part in weekly team meetings where they learn about the Humber Arboretum and related topics through presentations, games, discussions, and guest speakers. Follow-up activities completed outside of the meeting time will help develop skills and reinforce learning.
Topics include but are not limited to:
- The history and partnerships of the Humber Arboretum
- Local ecosystems: woodlands, wetlands, meadows, and the Humber River
- Nature, wellness, and accessibility
- Sustainability and environmental stewardship
- Citizen science
- The United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals
The skills you will develop center around summarizing and presenting information.
LxL Stories
Humber Global wrote about Learning by Leading for their blog and newsletter.
Read: Learning by Leading! Humber Connecting Community and Nature through Global Citizenship
General Details
- One semester, approximately 40-hour volunteer experience
- Open to Humber Polytechnic and University of Guelph-Humber students from any year or program of study
- Combination of 1.5 hour weekly team meetings focused on learning, with independent follow-up activities to build skills
- Team meetings are lead by a combination of Arboretum staff and advanced Learning by Leading participants
- Spaces are limited and an application is required
Fall 2025 Details
Weekly team meetings will:
- happen on Tuesdays from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM
- begin October 7*
- be in person at the Humber Arboretum (North Campus)
- often take place outdoors
*There is no meeting on October 21 due to Reading Week
How to Apply
**Please note - due to impacts of the Full-time Support Staff strike, if you applied before September 12 please resubmit the form and re-send your resume, short cover letter, and class schedule to arboretum@humber.ca**
Applications for fall 2025 are now being accepted. To begin the application process, please fill out this form:
Fall 2025 Ambassador-in-Training application form
To complete your application, you will also need to send your resume, cover letter, and class schedule to arboretum@humber.ca
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning in the final two weeks of September. The final deadline is Wednesday October 1, but early applications are recommended.
Attend an In-Person Tour and Info Session
Join us for a walk around the Arb while you find out more about Learning by Leading and get a chance to ask any questions.
Tuesday September 23, 12:30 PM
Tuesday September 30, 12:30 PM
There is no need to register for these events. Just meet at the Tree of Hope Mosaic and Welcome Gazebo at the Arboretum's front entrance (see the location on Google Maps).
Benefits
Ambassadors-in-Training who complete all of the requirements can:
- have their experience formally recognized on their Co-Curricular Record*
- list the position on the Volunteer section of their resume
- apply to become a full Arboretum Ambassador.
Other benefits include:
- learn about the natural world
- meet new people in a fun and supportive online setting
- improve professional skills in areas such as communication, leadership, critical thinking, resourcefulness, and professionalism
- gain specific experience relevant to future employment at the Arboretum or other similar organizations
- acquire a foundation in sustainable living and engaged citizenship
- form a deeper connection to your post-secondary community
- support the Arboretum!
*What is a Co-Curricular Record?
Provided to students by Humber Polytechnic or the University of Guelph-Humber, the Co-Curricular Record (CCR) is a formal record of a student's skill development that has taken place outside of the classroom. This additional transcript is intended to support your future applications for employment or other opportunities.
What Comes Next?
You're welcome to complete the Ambassador-in-Training experience on its own; we hope you'll share what you've learned with family, friends, and fellow students.
For students who are interested in continuing on to the next level of Learning by LeadingTM, this experience prepares you to become a full Arboretum Ambassador where you will work with other LxL participants to assist at Arboretum events, plan and facilitate your own events, and find other ways to connect the campus and local community to nature and the Humber Arboretum.
If you are not interested in being a full Ambassador but would like to stay involved, completing the Humber Arboretum Ambassador-in-Training semester may also open up opportunities to propose or take part in special projects or placements connected to the Arb.