Humber College
OP-T2-20: Wildlife Habitat

The parking lots at Humber College North Campus were landscaped following the City of Toronto's Design Guidelines for 'Greening' Surface Parking Lots. Among the 200 trees and 1000 shrubs installed, three-quarters were selected from the Native Species Planting List which offer a familiar and varied habitat for local wildlife. The campus also features a protected woodland area known as the Arboretum. The area, which borders the Humber River, includes gardens, ponds, woods and trails. The programs in place to protect and/or create wildlife habitat include: • Pond and woodlot edges are maintained with minimal interference to provide habitat and corridors for the safe movement of mammals, reptiles and amphibians, insects and bugs. • Ongoing introductions of native species integral to the provision of food and shelter habitats. • Cleanup of gardens timed to allow for the completion of overwintering and reproductive cycles. • Judicious removal or topping of dead trees and shrubs to allow for habitat while maintaining safe pathways in the woodlot for patrons. • Dog leash stipulation to help protect ground nesting birds, mammals etc. • Identification and public education of pollinator species both native and not.