Healthy Landscapes & Biodiversity
Using a two-eyed seeing lens that braids the strengths of Indigenous and non-Indigenous worldviews, Humber is creating a Healthy Landscape & Biodiversity Plan that ensures its campus landscapes support ecosystems and biodiversity and includes nature-based climate solutions.
Campus Landscaping
Stewardship of the natural environment and the regional biodiversity in which our campuses are located. We collaborate to protect and improve the health and resilience of these areas, which will improve the quality of campus and community life now and for future generations. Humber Facilities Management incorporates several practices to maintain campus grounds in sustainable ways. These include:
- Native plant species are favoured in landscaping
- Pesticide-free products are selected to prevent toxins from leaching into the soil
- Environmentally-friendly coated salt products are used to minimize corrosive salt damage
- The parking lots at Humber College North Campus were landscaped following the City of Toronto's Design Guidelines for 'Greening' Surface Parking Lots. Among the 200 trees and 1000 shrubs installed, three-quarters were selected from the guide's Native Species Planting List.
Healthy Landscape Plan and Standards Coming Soon
Protecting our Pollinators
Humber is a Bee Campus
We strive to connect the natural world to our students, staff and faculty, and encourage our community to be environmental stewards. We are proud to announce that we are taking steps towards protecting pollinators by becoming a certified Bee Campus.
Forest Nature Program
Launched in 2016, the Forest Nature Program was created through health and wellness and Indigenous mandates. The program helps children explore nature and learn from and with the land. Humber students studying in the Early Childhood Education program also benefit from learning about the forest nature programs, as it is part of their placement opportunities. They help encourage play and outdoor learning with the children while creating new methods to enhance physical activity and wellness. In September 2019, the program received the Edward Burtynsky Award for excellence in environmental inquiry.
Connecting with Nature
Humber Arboretum and the Centre for Urban Ecology
A unique tri-partnership between Humber Polytechnic, the City of Toronto, and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, the Humber Arboretum consists of ~250 acres of public gardens and natural areas located in the Humber River watershed.
