Student Opportunities at the Humber Arboretum
No matter what your program of study at Humber College or the University of Guelph-Humber, you can enhance your post-secondary experience by connecting with the Humber Arboretum. Whether you want to learn about the natural world, prepare yourself for the workplace, develop leadership skills, make new friends, or just spend more time outside, the Arb has options for you.
Take Part in Learning by Leading™
Developed by the University of California at Davis Arboretum and Public Garden, the Learning by Leading™ Program is based on the idea that students learn best by taking leadership in helping to solve real-world problems. At the Humber Arboretum, Learning by Leading™ provides experiential and service learning opportunities for students including the Humber Arboretum Ambassadors and the Sustainable Horticulture and Environmental stewardship branch.
Add to Your Co-Curricular Record
Many of the Arb's free events develop skills and explore concepts related to ecology, gardening, and sustainability. Learn about activities at the Arboretum that can be recognized on your Co-Curricular Record, a formal record provided alongside your transcript which showcases your skill development outside of the classroom.
Work With Us
A variety of Work Study opportunities are available part-time during the school year and full-time in the summer in areas such as horticulture, landscape construction, administrative support, communications, and nature education. In most cases, you don't need to be in a related program to apply for these paid positions, you only need to be Work Study eligible.
Enhance Your Academics
Many programs at Humber College make direct use of the arboretum as a living laboratory or as a place to practice skills in a real-world environment. In other cases, individual students have completed required internship or placement hours through employment at the Arb. Connect with the Centre for Urban Ecology if you have an idea for a project or let your instructor know about our customized tours, workshops, and team-building options.
Attend Free Events
Take a tour, learn to garden, get started with bird-watching, or hear an expert speak - the Arb offers free events to the community year-round.
Connect with Scholarships
The Humber Arboretum Award is presented to a student graduating from the Landscape Technician program, while the Humber Arboretum Frances Thompson Entrance Scholarship is presented to a first year student from a select list of programs who has shown a strong commitment to: protecting or restoring the natural environment; connecting people to the natural environment in a way that supports environmental sustainability; or connecting people to the natural environment in a way that supports human health and wellbeing.
Visit the Humber College Scholarships portal to learn more and apply.
And Don't Forget to Visit!
The grounds of the Humber Arboretum are open as a public park every day during daylight hours. Study beside a pond, have lunch by the gardens, or take a rejuvenating walk in the woodlands. Help everyone enjoy the Arboretum by remembering to throw trash in the appropriate bins, give wildlife their space, leave plants in the ground, and respect the hard work past students have put into the landscapes and structures.
Students are also welcome to study or quietly meet inside the Centre for Urban Ecology on weekdays between 9 am and 4 pm if it hasn't been booked for a meeting or educational program. [But not right now, as the Centre for Urban Ecology is temporarily closed until further notice. The grounds, however, ARE open for visitors.]