Skip to content

The Humber Arboretum Ambassadors

Arb Ambassadors are the student face of the Humber Arboretum's community engagement activities. Current students of Humber Polytechnic or the University of Guelph-Humber, Ambassadors take part in a service learning experience that helps connect their peers and the wider community with the exciting 100 hectare (nearly 250 acre) urban greenspace at Humber Polytechnic's North Campus. 

The Humber Arboretum Ambassadors is the second level in the Humber Arboretum's Learning by Leading™ program. Students must first complete a semester as an Ambassador-in-Training.

Ambassadors from 2018/2019 facilitated "Building Biodiversity", a free workshop which was supported by a World Wildlife Fund Canada Go Wild at School grant.

What Does an Arb Ambassador Do?

After successfully completing a learning semester as an Ambassador-in-Training, Arb Ambassadors are knowledgeable about the Humber Arboretum, local ecosystems, the connections between nature and wellness, and much more. Drawing on this knowledge, they work as a team under the leadership of a staff mentor and several advanced Learning by LeadingTM students to pitch, plan, and facilitate events and activities designed to share their knowledge and connect more people with the Humber Arboretum.

Examples of past activities include:

  • Hosting a touch table and info booth inside residence to introduce students to the nature in their backyard
  • Running a virtual student coffee house in honour of Earth Month
  • Greeting and checking-in attendees at gardening workshops run by the Arboretum's partners
  • Promoting and taking part in tree planting and other stewardship events at the Arboretum
  • Facilitating a "Building Biodiversity" workshop where the community learned about local bat species, built bat boxes, and added plants to the Tranquility Bird Garden

Ambassadors are also invited to propose individual or small group projects based on their own skills and interests. For example, students with experience in video, photography, or graphic design will have the opportunity to connect with communications staff at the Arboretum to work on creative projects.

 

Structure and Time Commitment

  • Ambassadors meet for 1.5 hours at a set time most weeks
    • The group meeting time is often used for idea generation and actively working on projects
    • Some weeks the meeting time will be used for mandatory advanced training
  • Events that the group plans may take place on evenings or weekends
  • Ambassadors should expect to commit to an average of 2 to 3 hours per week

 

2024/2025 Details 

Fall Semester Timeline

  • Meeting will be held on Mondays from 12:30 to 2:00 PM
  • Meetings begin Monday September 30
    • No meeting during Reading Week
  • Final application deadline is September 25, 2024, however you are encouraged to apply early as acceptances will be done on a rolling basis

Winter Semester Timeline

  • Students who were in the Ambassador-in-Training experience during the fall may apply to join the Ambassadors for the Winter Semester
    • Continuing Ambassadors from the Fall Semester do NOT need to re-apply
  • Application deadline TBA

 

Eligibility 

  • You must successfully complete the one-semester Ambassador-in-Training experience before you can apply to be an Ambassador. If you have not already been an Ambassador-in-Training, please visit the page to learn more and apply there.
    • This may or may not be required by students who have previously worked at the Arboretum, depending on your role. Email Angel or Mia to inquire (address below)
  • You must be a current student at Humber Polytechnic or the University of Guelph-Humber (any program or year of study)

 

How to Apply

While the intent is that most Ambassador-in-Training graduates who are interested in continuing will be able to, space in the Ambassador experience is limited and applications are required.

To help you practice your professional skills, entry into the Ambassadors includes an interview with Arboretum staff.

Please fill out this form to apply.

The application deadline for fall is September 25, 2024.

If you have any problems with the form, email Angel (Angel.SuarezEsquivel @ humber.ca) or Mia (Emelia.Maceasik @ humber.ca).

 

Benefits

HAAs who complete all of the requirements will be able to apply to have their experience formally recognized on their Co-Curricular Record and will be welcome to list the position on the Volunteer section of their resume. Other benefits include:

  • spend more time outside while you learn about the natural world 
  • meet new people in a fun and supportive setting
  • improve professional skills in areas such as communication, leadership, critical thinking, resourcefulness, and professionalism
  • apply your volunteer hours and event attendance to Humber Student Leadership Academy - My Leadership Journey experiences
  • 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!

HAAs who are involved for multiple semesters will be able to take on more advanced roles and responsibilities, including proposing projects even more closely tailored to their interests and skill development goals. 

CCR Certified Logo

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 the student's future applications for employment or other opportunities.