If you took a walk through the Humber Arboretum last month, you may have noticed tarps and carts piled high with pulled-up plants. This was weeding taken to the next level, as Horticulture Technician Andrea Sudak and a team of workstudy students physically removed two invaders from the Arboretum woodlot.

Invasive species are plants and animals that – intentionally or not – have been brought to a new habitat where they have no natural competition and flourish in a way that can completely unbalance the ecosystem. It’s particularly important to keep their growth in check at the Arboretum as Humber College’s North campus is located within the Carolinian Life Zone, a bioregion that is home to a greater variety of plant and animal species than any other ecosystem in Canada. 

This past spring staff removed invasive plants from an area covering approximately 9000 square feet in the woodlot, and are always keeping on top of invasives that appear in any of the Arboretum’s 37 botanical beds. First on the woodlot list was Dog Strangling Vine. Originally from Eastern Europe, these vines will climb shrubs and trees, even reaching up to attach themselves to low branches. It spreads both through underground rhizomes – stems that spread out horizontally before sending new shoots up through the soil – and through seedpods. The goal in June was too pull the plants before a new batch of seed pods could appear. Left unchecked, DSV can form a tangled, cascading maze of green that crowds and chokes native plants. 

Staff and workstudy students also removed Goutweed, a ground cover which is sometimes known as Snow-on-the-Mountain. No matter what you call it, this aggressive plant will spread quickly and prevent native ground covers like ferns and strawberries from growing. It’s especially important at the Arboretum that Goutweed isn’t allowed to choke out native White Trillium, which is Ontario’s Provincial Flower. Now that the Goutweed has been removed, Sudak and her team will use a technique called lasagna gardening to try to prevent it from coming back, layering cardboard and natural material under the soil before they put in native plants.

Although there is research taking place right now to find new management techniques, this certainly won’t be the last time horticulture staff will have to clear out the clutter in the woodlot. It’s an ongoing challenge to control invasive plant species in a conservation area, but Arboretum staff are dedicated to giving native species a chance to thrive.

humberarboretum.on.ca
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FINAL REMINDER: Invitation to participate in a Focus Group Discussion on Workplace Climate

Thank you to those have indicated their interest to participate in this study. Any potential participants, in particular, non-full-time faculty (including part-time, partial load, and sessional) – are invited to indicate their interest to participate in a focus group discussion regarding their perceptions of the organizational climate at their college. 

Please see the attached invitation to participate in the focus group discussion for this study.

If you would like to participate in this focus group discussion or have any questions or concerns regarding this study, please contact Amie Gheewala (amie.gheewala@mail.utoronto.ca; 416.938.5837) or her supervisor, Dr. Katharine Janzen (katharine.janzen@utoronto.ca; 416.978.1232).

The above project has been reviewed and approved by the Humber College Research Ethics Board.

NEXT magazine has begun preparing its 7th issue and is looking for story ideas. We want to know about innovations in and out of the classroom, cool projects, events that expand the definition of teaching and learning, and fascinating initiatives that show what makes Humber so special. This is your chance to let the rest of Humber know what's happening in your school or program!

Email your ideas to humberpress@humber.ca.

And don't forget to read NEXT's most recent issue online here. You can request a print copy at humberpress@humber.ca.

Deadline to submit proof of enrolment is August 31, 2016.

If you require assistance please do not hesitate to contact Joanne Baker, Benefits Consultant at 416.675.6622 x4023 or Nathan Tysdal, Benefits Analyst at 416.675.6622 x4619.

Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology
GROUP INSURANCE BENEFITS COMMUNIQUE
Important Information

Coverage for over-age student dependents

If you have an over-age dependent who is college or university-bound, you can help prepare him or her by ensuring that your child is still covered under your group insurance benefits.

Dependents over the age of 21 (but under age 25) may still be eligible for benefits coverage if they are:

• full-time post-secondary students
• financially dependent on you

What you need to do

1. Advise your Benefits Administrator by providing proof that your dependent qualifies as an over-age dependent. Otherwise, the dependent child’s claim will be declined.
2. After you inform your Benefits Administrator, whenever you submit claims, simply check “Yes” where it asks you to confirm if your dependent is a full-time student.
3. When over-age dependents visit the dentist, they can let the dentist know that they are in school full-time. This is important because most dentists submit claims electronically.
4. You can print an extra paper drug card that your over-age dependent can present at the pharmacy. Otherwise, simply indicate “full-time student” whenever you submit a paper claim form for their drug claims. Note: If the drug card is not used for all the drug purchases, your reimbursement could be affected due to pharmacy mark-ups on the cost of the drugs. This means that you may have to pay more out-of-pocket.
5. Keep your benefits administrator informed of any change in status. Prompt notification of changes in the status of your covered dependents is very important to ensure continued coverage.

Post-secondary school needs proof of coverage

If your over-age dependent’s post-secondary school needs confirmation of your dependent’s benefits coverage, and you use Sun Life’s Plan Members Services website, you can print coverage information that your over-age dependent can give to their school. Sign in to Sun Life’s Plan Member Services website. Next, click ‘Profile’, ‘Personal Info’, and then ‘Personal and dependent information'.

Simply print the page that appears. Your over-age dependent can give it to their school and may receive a refund on their fees.

Coverage for students studying abroad

If your dependent is studying abroad (except in the United States) their benefits coverage may be extended beyond the 60 day limit under the out-of-country coverage. Please contact your Benefits Administrator for more information and well in advance of the dependent departing Canada.