Applications for the 2025 YUFL program are now open!


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collage of YUFL participants doing tree planting, leading tree tours, and holding potted shrubs

 

Applications for the 2026 YUFL program will open in March!

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In the meantime, sign up for the Young Urban Forest Leaders Virtual Info Session on Tuesday, March 17, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. A recording of the session will be provided to everyone who registers.

Click here to watch the Virtual Information Session for the Young Urban Forest Leaders Program held on March 18, 2025.

 

Become a Young Urban Forest Leader

collage of YUFL participants measuring tree width, sitting at picnic table and doing a tree tour

Since 2015, this free and innovative program has supported the next wave of environmental leaders. The Young Urban Forest Leaders (YUFL) Program provides Toronto Youth (ages 18 to 29) with valuable training and mentorship in the fields of arboriculture, urban forestry and community engagement.

Guided by the principles of Two-Eyed Seeing, which integrates both Indigenous and Western knowledge systems, this four-month program invites youth to engage in land-based learning activities rooted in land stewardship and community connection. Participants gain tangible skills, resources and professional connections to grow a greener, more equitable future.

This program is open to all Toronto youth, at no cost to participants, with priority given to applicants from equity-deserving groups, including (but not limited to) newcomers, gender-marginalized, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals.

LEAF is committed to equity, inclusion and reconciliation and is dedicated to cultivating an environment where everyone feels able to bring their full selves to the work we do. For more information, please visit our About Us web page.

Thank you to the City of Toronto for their longstanding support of the YUFL program and to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for supporting the ongoing evolution of the program and curriculum through a Two-Eyed Seeing Lens.

“The YUFL program is an incredible way for you to really get to know the nature in our city. It has reshaped the way that I see trees and natural spaces and provided a lot of confidence for how I want to move forward with my career in the environmental field. I highly recommend this program to anyone who has even a passing curiosity in the natural world, it is an excellent way to spend your summer!” – 2025 YUFL Participant

Key Activities

Skill Building Workshops

Participants engage in virtual and in-person skill-building workshops and mentored activities (including the LEAF Tree Tenders Tree Training Program - 15 hours of arboriculture training led by industry professionals.

Topics include:

  • Tree biology, identification, planting and care
  • Urban forest stresses and management
  • Tree equity and increasing urban forest resilience
  • Indigenous land practices and perspectives
  • Career pathways and professional development in the environmental sector

Workshops and activities occur weekly on Tuesday evenings from May through August. Some evening and weekend activities will also be scheduled.

Community-Centred Urban Forestry Activities

Participants have hands-on opportunities to improve the resilience of communities with low tree canopy cover, guided by LEAF staff and community partners. Activities may include:

  • Planning and leading tree tours
  • Participating in planting and stewardship events
  • Engaging residents through in-person and online outreach
  • Collecting and contributing to citizen science data 

Career Mentorship & Networking Opportunities

Participants receive guidance and support as they build professional skills and connections through:

  • Peer feedback and career planning sessions
  • Networking with industry professionals
  • Teamwork and leadership skill development
Benefits to Participants
  • Access all program training and activities at no cost
  • Build practical skills in tree identification, planting and urban forest stewardship
  • Nurture a deeper relationship with the land
  • Explore both Indigenous and Western perspectives on land stewardship
  • Develop leadership, communication and teamwork skills
  • Connect with industry professionals and explore environmental career paths
  • Receive a certificate of completion
  • Contribute to increased appreciation of the urban forest
  • Grow meaningful connections with other passionate young people 
Applicant Criteria

Applicants Must:

  • Be between the ages of 18 and 29
  • Be a resident of the City of Toronto
  • Be able to commit up to 5 hours per week. Meetings occur weekly on Tuesday evenings from May through August. Some evening and weekend activities will also be scheduled. 
  • Be available to attend LEAF’s Tree Tenders Training (15 hours of arboriculture training led by local professionals). The course will take place in May over four weekday evenings and two weekends - each of the six classes is mandatory
  • Have an interest in arboriculture, urban forestry and/or environmental community engagement

This program is open to all Toronto youth, at no cost to participants, with priority given to applicants from equity-deserving groups, including (but not limited to) newcomers, gender-marginalized, racialized, and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals.

Stories from YUFL Graduates

Hear from YUFL Alumni about the benefits of the program and what they’ve been up to since participating!

YUFL Blogs

group of YUFL posing under a tree
two YUFL looking at a tree ID book
group of YUFL posing under a tree
a YUFL looking at leaves on a tree
a YUFL doing a tree tour

Supporting Partners

City of Toronto logo
Ontario Trillium Foundation logo