@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
Illustration of a hand tossing a tea bag, by David Sparshott
How much plastic are we accidentally ingesting? A #UofT physician shares simple ways to reduce your exposure, like ditching plastic tea bags & avoiding microwaving food in plastic. 🔗 uoft.me/plastic
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.
(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 close-up photo of a metallic green bee in mid-flight against a dark blurred background. One wing is blurred from motion, and details of the bee’s body hair and legs are visible.
Arthropod Photo of the Week: March 4, 2026
Orchid bee
Euglossa sp.
Hymenoptera: Apidae
Observed in Minas Gerais, Brazil
By Carlos Augusto Asanuma, Sao Paulo, Brazil
#arthropodPOTW
A hawk with a grey back and cap and brown barring on their chest perches on alert on the bare branch of a tree.
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 person uses binoculars to look at a hawk perched high in the bare branches of a tree.
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...
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The edge of person's jacket and hat are visible as they peer at a muskrat lodge in the distance.
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.
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A coyote-shaped blur beyond the branches of shrubs and trees.
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):
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BLACKBIRDS!
February 28, 2026. Starting my #SpringMigrstion watch now (though the snow buntings last week might’ve counted…)
Saw my #FOY blackbirds at Humber Bay Park West. They weren’t posing for portraits, of course. Hungry and tired after crossing the lake, but singing and calling in the brush.
Humber Arboretum March Break Nature Day Camp. Photos of kids running outside making crafts out of natural materials, and holding a deer antler. Ages 6 to 12. $405. Humber dot see eh slash arboretum slash camp. Humber Arboretum logo. Accredited member badge from the Ontario Camps Association.
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...
Excellent work by Credit Valley Conservation volunteer and @inaturalist.bsky.social user Santhosh, and an excellent story about his discovery from The Pointer: thepointer.com/article/2026...
#Mississauga
Chairs on frozen Humber river
Mid river rest stop. Such moon tonight. Such moon. Everything is illuminated
The #BizBiodiversity Assessment is the first of its kind to help align the economy with nature. 🌍
As @ipbes.net ES Dr Luthando Dziba says “It’s about understanding both the dependencies and impacts of business on biodiversity—and turning that evidence into action.”
🧪#IPBES12 ipbes.canto.de/b/HJAGG
Kudos to @humberpoly.bsky.social Journalism student Mason Kossak for covering the change of the Doomsday Clock. The accelerating climate crisis is one of the factors over which scientists are sounding the alarm.
A boardgame laid out with a TV in the background. Bill Murray is on the screen.
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!
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.
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...
Join UNESCO on 11 February 2026 for a global hybrid event celebrating women in science and shaping a future where science and gender equality advance together. Free to attend in person or online!
www.unesco.org/en/articles/...
A sad loss for Canada. Kirsty Duncan was always a great fan and supporter of the Arb, not just as the MP for Etobicoke North, but as an individual who was passionate about nature and science. We send our condolences to her friends, colleagues, and family.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
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.
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...
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.
Due to the heavy snowfall, Humber Polytechnic will be closed on Monday January 26.
At around 8:30 this morning education team member Olivia, aka Elm, was on CBC Radio One's Metro Morning talking about Squirrel Appreciation Day!
She's one of the two leaders for our free walk coming up at 12:30 PM today. Bundle up Toronto, and join us to learn about squirrels:
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.
On Wednesday, we're gonna appreciate us some squirrels:
humber.ca/arboretum/ev...
If anyone really has to ask...
(West branch of the Humber River, Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Are you mothing curious? Check out my story on becoming a moth-er (not a mother) on the @ontarionature.bsky.social blog: ontarionature.org/fascinating-...
#NonHumanNeighbours #Moths #Bugs #Insects #Nature #Wildlife #Birds #Hobbies
Event poster reads Student Drop-In: Nature Board Games. Tuesday January 13 from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM. Icons of dice. Box front images from three games: Birds of a Feather featuring a song bird perched on a branch with the ocean behind. Photosynthesis featuring a tree growing under a beam of sunlight. and Cascadia featuring an elk looking out at a mountain range. Stylized graphic of the Centre for Urban Ecology with its bright red door.
Tomorrow! Students of Humber Polytechnic and University of Guelph-Humber are invited to drop by the arb to play nature-themed board games.
This month we're highlighting Birds of a Feather, Photosynthesis, and Cascadia.
Learn more: humber.ca/arboretum/ev...
#HumberPoly #UofGH
Plant news! 🌱
(Including a newly identified species of Snowdrop; if you've ever visited us in late winter/early spring, Snowdrops may look familiar to you as they are one of the first flowers to emerge in our garden beds, often when snow is still on the ground.)
A snowy garden with a wood and stone footbridge. A beam of sunlight filters through bare tree branches and the mist rising off the warming snow.
'Twas a beautiful morning for a birdy walk.
If you missed us, there's still plenty of time to get outside today. ❄️🐦❄️
A new study finds significant biodiversity loss in spiders & insects including butterflies and beetles. The likely culprit is long-term changes to the El Niño cycle, fuelled by climate change.
Read more in The Conversation: https://ow.ly/KmLw50XqtvY
Wow, this story has everything:
- A young teen who takes a risk pursuing the field they're passionate about
- Experts who take a risk and make room for them
- Family vacation side quest with a supportive parent
- International recognition
- Big plans for the future
- And cool invertebrate pics! 🕷️
Graphic for Beaks and Brews. Icons of a small bird and a travel mug with the Humber Arboretum logo. Wednesday January 7, 9 AM. Photo of an American Robin on a snowy branch. Free morning birds and coffee walk.
Take a birdy walk with us tomorrow morning. 🐦
The first Beaks and Brews of 2026 starts at 9:00 AM.
#Toronto #Etobicoke #HumberPolytechnic
humber.ca/arboretum/ev...
Photos of a smiling child showing off their muddy hands and a group of children in winter gear following a leader on a nature walk. March Break Nature Camp. Registration Now Open. Ages 6 to 12.
Registration is open for March Break Nature Day Camp!
We'll be exploring animal adaptations, signs of spring, the science of staying warm, winter birds, and more.
- Ages 6 to 12
- Located behind Humber Polytechnic North Campus in Etobicoke (Toronto)
- $405
Learn more: humber.ca/arboretum/le...
