What motivated you to get involved in the Young Urban Forest Leaders Program?
Wameeya: “When I first saw the ad for the YUFL program on Instagram, I thought it looked very welcoming and like a fun way to make connections with people who share similar interests. Being the shy person I am, I often felt intimidated joining groups because I felt everyone there might have a lot more knowledge than I do. However, I realized very early on in the YUFL program that this is not the case here. Right off the bat, everyone was so welcoming, and it was great to see that people had varying degrees of prior knowledge of both trees and urban forestry in general.”
Jesse: “I noticed a gap in my resume pertaining to Horticulture and Arboriculture. The YUFL program offered a great introduction into the world of Arboriculture, specifically in the context of cities.”
What was your favourite aspect of the YUFL Program?
Wameeya“My favourite part of the YUFL program was planning and doing the Tree Tours around trees that interested us the most. Breaking off into smaller groups for the Tree Tours allowed us to build a closer bond among that group. By the end of the program, once we had gone through all the practice sessions, we were all really excited to be able to identify so many species. Another aspect I loved about the program is how there are so many interactive learning opportunities and ways to let your creativity shine and have fun at the same time.”
Jesse:“I really appreciated the flexibility of the program. As someone who works full time over the summer, the hybrid flexible model of YUFL made a huge difference for me. I was also really impressed by the depth of knowledge and the diversity of the various speakers in the program.”
What have you pursued since the program ended?
Wameeya: “I am still in university, completing my undergrad, so the skills I learned from YUFL have helped me both in my classes and at work as a co-op student with the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services. The skills I learned from YUFL, such as teamwork, public speaking and cooperation, help me in both my academic and professional lives today.”
Jesse: “Having the experience with YUFL on my resume has helped me find part time jobs with large public institutions. The skills I have gained have not only made me a much stronger scientific communicator, they have also given me the confidence to start some independent projects with community members concerning biodiversity in the city.”
What advice would you give to your younger self or other young adults who are looking to get involved or started in urban forestry/arboriculture?
Wameeya: “My advice would be just to take that first step and get involved in whatever capacity it may be. Building your network is one of the biggest advantages you can have. Whether it’s volunteering or applying for summer positions, that first step is a really valuable one. I would recommend stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something new.”
Jesse: “Get to know the trees in your community! The GTA has some wonderful green spaces and getting to know them better can help you understand some of the issues cities are facing in terms of climate change, urban biodiversity and equitable access to nature. Joining something like YUFL is a great way to start!”
Interested in becoming a Young Urban Forest Leader? Click here to learn more about the program! Applications for the 2024 program are closed, however, you can click here to sign-up for an e-mail notification when registration opens for the 2025 program.
Natasha Jovanovic is the Education Coordinator at LEAF.
This blog is part of a series highlighting YUFL alumni. Read other blogs on the Young Urban Forest Leaders program. The Young Urban Forest Leaders Program is funded in part by the City of Toronto's Urban Forestry Grants and Incentives Program.