When she received her offer of admission to the University of Toronto’s Master of Environmental Science (MEnvSc) program in the spring of 2019, Mary realized that it had been a couple of years since she’d done any conservation work. Feeling out of practice in the field, Mary searched for volunteer roles with environmental groups. After some digging, she learned about the Young Urban Forest Leaders (YUFL) program offered by LEAF. Drawn in by the opportunity to transition back into environmental work, she applied and was accepted into the 2019 cohort*.
For Mary, the YUFL program provided a unique opportunity to develop new skills and enhance her learning through a range of interactive activities. She’s particularly grateful for the support she received from her peers and mentors in the program, which made it easier to step outside of her comfort zone and explore a new field: community engagement. Under the mentorship of LEAF staff, Mary tried her hand at community outreach canvassing. She engaged residents on the #BackyardBiodiversity campaign to share information on the importance of planting native species and the value of the urban forest. Mary quickly realized how much she enjoyed connecting with residents and teaching them about how they can protect and support the environment.
Once the YUFL program wrapped up, Mary began the MEnvSc program and graduated a year later in 2020. With a new degree under her belt and a passion for community engagement, Mary continued to spread awareness of environmental issues with members of the public. In her current role as a Federal Programs Coordinator with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, she works with an incredible team to conserve and protect natural areas throughout the country.
Reflecting on her journey, Mary didn’t expect to head down the path of community engagement and outreach. As a YUFL participant, she challenged herself and was able to pick up strategies on how to cultivate conversations and develop meaningful connections with people. This experience came in handy when she began reaching out to professionals in the environmental field to carve out her own career path.
Wanting to inspire others who are at the beginning of their own journey, she shared the following advice:
“Start talking to people! Conduct information interviews with whomever sparks your interest and don’t be afraid to try new roles.”
Interested in becoming a Young Urban Forest Leader? We are accepting applications for the 2022 program! Learn more or join our upcoming Info Session on Tuesday, March 22nd, 2022.
Lam Tran is the Education Coordinator at LEAF.
*Activities captured in this blog took place in 2019, prior to COVID-19 and social distancing practices.
This blog is part of a series intended to highlight YUFL alumni. The blogs were written by Lam Tran based on responses collected in 2022 with the purpose of sharing YUFL alumni experiences, as participants of the program and their journeys after graduating from it. Read other blogs on the Young Urban Forest Leaders program.
The Young Urban Forest Leaders Program is funded by a City of Toronto Urban Forestry Grant and the Canadian Tree Fund.
