Humber Arboretum

@humberarb

One hundred hectares of public gardens and natural parklands in North Etobicoke. Open to all, the Arb exists as a tri-partnership between Humber Polytechnic, City of Toronto, and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). Humber.ca/arboretum

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Humber Arboretum@humberarb· 3d

Happy Birthday to Cleo, the Red-eared Slider who lives in the Centre for Urban Ecology and who turned 34(ish) today(ish)! The campers made her cards and sang quietly to her, while she enjoyed some outdoor time in the sunny garden. 🎂🐢

A Red-eared Slider being held up by unseen hands seems to be looking at a card clearly made by a child. It reads "rose eared you are so green Happy B-day" and has a drawing of a turtle standing upright with a red band across their eyes like one of the Ninja Turtles. The person holding the card open as others in their hand as well.

Humber Arboretum@humberarb· 19d

This is Wilderness Survival week at Nature Camp, so the campers were learning about using a baseplate compass. Flat hand, set your direction, then turn your body until red is in the shed! Nature day camp at Humber Arboretum in #Etobicoke, #Toronto continues through August: humber.ca/arboretum/le...

A young teen stands looking down at the compass in her hand while a Nature Educator shows her how to use it.

Standing outside in the sun, two young boys discuss an oversized model of a compass face.

A young girl holds a compass flat in her hand and looks down at it, trying to determine direction.

A compass lays flat in an adults hand while a child's finger points at the moving arrow.

Humber Arboretum@humberarb· Jul 16

Yesterday campers met five ambassadors from Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue: Otis the rabbit, Wilbur the turtle, Stinkerbell the skunk, Winky the opossum, and Simon(e) the snake all helped campers connect and learn about the challenges animals face. See the full album: www.flickr.com/photos/humbe...

A smiling camper gently pets Stinkerbell, a Striped Skunk being cradled in a guest educator's arms.

A very excited camper reaches out to pet plump senior Virginia Opossum Winky.

Humber Arboretum@humberarb· Jul 15

Smoke from wildfires have turned Toronto an eerie yellow today. The Nature Campers went in to the college for lunch and some activities due to the poor air quality. This is just one impact of human-caused climate change. The view this morning, before and after adjusting the camera's white balance:

Set-up on the grass, a large banner for Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue features five photos of animals and the words rescue, rehabilitate, release, educate, and conserve. A number of furs and skulls have been laid on the grass in front. The whole scene has a yellow tinge to it.

A nearly identical photo to the first, except the camera has eliminated the yellow tinge. It creates the (false) impression of a normal, albeit overcast, day.

Humber Arboretum@humberarb· Jul 13

The Monday of every session at Nature Camp is all about exploring and team building, so campers can get to know the space and each other. So what do you when it's time for ice breaker games but everyone is still a little warm from morning explorations? Just add water! humber.ca/arboretum/le...

A young nature camper holds a cup to catch the water that a camper in front of them is pouring backwards without looking.

A very wet and smiley nature camper carries four sponges.

A smiling nature camper runs while holding a sponge.

While a leader-in-training gets ready to pour water behind their head, Nature Educator Elm has a waiting cup and an expression that says they are very not ready for this.

Humber Arboretum@humberarb· Jul 8

Yesterday the Nature Campers made some brilliant bird collages using mixed media. 🐦✂️ #Art #SummerCamp #Toronto

A child holds up a kiwi made out of cut-and-glued paper. Unlike the other collages, the kiwi is not attached to a larger sheet of paper; they just exist in the world all on their own.

A finch shaped bird made out of a mix of cut paper and natural materials glued to a white sheet of paper.

Two more bird collages, one a multi-coloured cardinal or jay shape, and the other a mottled brown bird in flight over branches.

A collage of a round, robin-shaped bird with shades of blue, purple, and orange, plus a yellow beak and feet and dusting of natural materials.

Humber Arboretum@humberarb· Jul 7

Next week's theme at Nature Camp is Healthy Planet, Healthy Lives for ages 5 to 13. We have a 10% discount in honour of our special guests from Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue with the coupon code WILDLIFE. Registration closes at 7:00 AM this Thursday. Learn more: humber.ca/arboretum/le...

A person holds a domestic rabbit wearing a harness in front of a Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue banner which features images of wildlife.

Humber Arboretum@humberarb· Jul 7

The theme for our first week of Nature Camp is Brilliant Birds, so it was fitting that on Monday some campers spotted this Green Heron visiting the pond to take advantage of the frog buffet. A brilliant bird indeed! #Birds #UrbanWildlife #Toronto

A Green Heron sits at the marshy edge of a pond.

Humber Arboretum@humberarb· Jun 30

Please note that all Humber Polytechnic campuses will be closed from Wednesday, July 1 to Friday, July 3 for Canada Day and Employee Appreciation. Although the Centre for Urban Ecology will be closed, the gardens and trails of Humber Arboretum will remain open and free to visit, as always.

A photo of the Humber Polytechnic North Campus LRC building with the words Campus Closure.

Humber Arboretum@humberarb· Jun 29

Today's the LAST DAY to register your kids for the first week of Humber Arboretum Summer Nature Camp 2026, Brilliant Birds. Plus, we've added a discount code for the second week of camp in honour of our special guests from Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue! More: humber.ca/arboretum/le... #Toronto

Humber Arboretum@humberarb· Jun 10

Here's a little load of Purple Loosestrife our team pulled from the garden in a previous summer. This is definitely a plant to keep an eye on!

A small garden vehicle parked on the lawn, its bed full of long green plants with purple flowers on the end. In the background, a gardener is pulling plants growing next to water.

Humber Arboretum@humberarb· Jun 10

Less than a month to go until Nature Camp starts! Let your kids get outside and explore nature in the Humber River watershed. Our goal is to send them home each day tired, dirty, and eager to tell you about their adventures. At Humber North Campus in #Etobicoke #Toronto humber.ca/arboretum/le...

Humber Arboretum@humberarb· May 27

A Baltimore Oriole visits the Eastern Redbud buffet. #GetOutside #Birds #Gardens #Toronto #Spring

A bright orange bird with a black head and back and black wings that are highlighted with white wingbars is perched on a branch that's covered in small pink blooms.

Humber Arboretum@humberarb· May 22

It's tiny turtle time! Please watch your step if you'll be visiting the Arb in the next little while; we've already seen Painted Turtle hatchlings out on the paths. With shells the size of a loonie, these little babies are easy to miss. Let's make sure they get to experience their first swim. 🐢💚

Humber Arboretum@humberarb· May 1

Registration continues for Summer Nature Camp! We have nine weeks of day camp for ages 5 to 12, plus three weeks have options up to age 13. Themes include birds, insects, survival skills and more. $405/week Humber Polytechnic North Campus, North Etobicoke, #Toronto humber.ca/arboretum/le...

Humber Arboretum@humberarb· Apr 22

We had a lovely walk and workshop for Earth Day all about using the citizen science platform iNaturalist. Two teachers brought their classes and the kids had a blast - and so did we! 🌞🐢 The weather cooperated wonderfully, and the Midland Painted Turtles helped by striking poses like this:

A turtle sits on the sunny grass by the edge of a pond, their head raised up high. They have a dark green shell and skin, with red highlights on the edge of their shell and yellow lines on their neck that turn red closer to their body. This turtle looks good, and they know it.

Humber Arboretum@humberarb· Apr 6

It's a gorgeous day for our Camp Family Fun Day, where families who have a camper registered for summer were invited to visit together and bring friends for a little taste of #NatureCamp activities. Families were able to enjoy nature hikes with Flicker...

A man in a toque talks to people on a hike. If you look very closely you can see he is wearing a name tag that says Flicker.

Humber Arboretum@humberarb· Mar 19

American Robin in the garden. #Birds #GetOutside

An American Robin, with a slate gray back and head, orange breast, yellow beak, and white eye rings, perches on a branch in the morning spring light.

Humber Arboretum@humberarb· Mar 11

(Almost) last call for March Break Nature Camp! Let your kids build confidence & embrace curiosity while they explore the nature of North Etobicoke. $405 for 5 days; registration closes at 11:59 PM tomorrow. Plus! March Break campers get a free camp t-shirt (an $18 value). humber.ca/arboretum/le...

A collage of some summer nature campers modelling their Humber Arboretum Nature Camp t-shirts while showing off their art, making new art from natural materials, playing games in the garden, river dipping, and using a portable microscope.

Humber Arboretum@humberarb· Mar 4

But also stuck around for the cameras! It was a happy World Wildlife Day indeed. Keep an eye on our event calendar to join us for future free walks and other nature-y events in North Etobicoke: humber.ca/arboretum/ev... #Birds #Wildlife #Toronto 4/4

A hawk with a grey back and cap and brown barring on their chest perches on alert on the bare branch of a tree.

Humber Arboretum@humberarb· Mar 4

But then just as we were wrapping up, a Cooper's Hawk decided to one up the coyote and not only put in an appearance... 3/4

A person uses binoculars to look at a hawk perched high in the bare branches of a tree.

Humber Arboretum@humberarb· Mar 4

Then the middle of the walk included squirrels and chipmunks and winter songbirds, plus we stopped to look at some signs of wildlife, such as muskrat and beaver lodges. 2/4

The edge of person's jacket and hat are visible as they peer at a muskrat lodge in the distance.

Humber Arboretum@humberarb· Mar 4

Yesterday we took a nature walk in honour of World Wildlife Day, and although we were clear with the participants that we could make no promises, the wildlife turned out to be very cooperative! We were only just leaving the garden area when a coyote strolled by (but did not stop for photos): 1/4

A coyote-shaped blur beyond the branches of shrubs and trees.

Humber Arboretum@humberarb· Mar 2

We still have spots available for March Break Nature Camp at the Humber Arboretum! Get your kids outside to embrace the wonder of the changing seasons. Ages 6 to 12 $405 for all 5 days Located behind Humber Polytechnic North Campus in North Etobicoke, #Toronto humber.ca/arboretum/le...

Humber Arboretum@humberarb· Feb 2

We're all set up with Daybreak on the table and Groundhog Day on the TV. If you're at Humber North Campus, drop by the 3rd floor of the LRC until 1:30 PM to say hi!

A boardgame laid out with a TV in the background. Bill Murray is on the screen.

Humber Arboretum@humberarb· Jan 29

Last week's attempt at a Daybreak drop-in was thwarted by a snow day, so we're trying again this Monday February 2. Drop by the 3rd floor of the Humber North Campus Learning Resource Commons from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM to play the cooperative boardgame and explore resources. humber.ca/arboretum/ev...

Promo graphic. Boardgame Drop-in: Daybreak. Do you have what it takes to save the planet? Monday February 2, 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Learning Resource Commons, LRC, third floor.

Humber Arboretum@humberarb· Jan 26

Tomorrow! Join us at 10:00 AM in the Centre for Urban Ecology for a free presentation on all things owl: humber.ca/arboretum/ev...

Who's Hoo. Explore the wild world of owls. Learn how owls see, hear, and hunt. Tips to watch owls responsibly. How you can help owls survive. Free and Family-friendly. Tuesday January 27 10:00 AM. For more info and events visit humber.ca/arboretum/events.

Humber Arboretum@humberarb· Jan 26

Due to the heavy snowfall, Humber Polytechnic will be closed on Monday January 26.

Screenshot of an alert. Humber and UGH campuses will be closed on Monday January 26 due to the winter storm. Classes will be moved to remote delivery, whenever possible. Students are asked to check with their professors and Blackboard for updates. Check humber dot see eh slash updates and Humber's social channels for updates.

Humber Arboretum@humberarb· Jan 19

On Wednesday, we're gonna appreciate us some squirrels: humber.ca/arboretum/ev...

A fluffy Grey Squirrel sits on a snowy branch. Squirrel Appreciation Day Walk and Talk. Wednesday January 21, 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM.

Humber Arboretum@humberarb· Jan 14

If anyone really has to ask... (West branch of the Humber River, Toronto, Ontario, Canada)