Green Infrastructure Trainees

Paid 6 Week Training Program

Date: Tuesdays and Thursdays, May 5th to June 16th, 2026

Pay: $20/hr

Hours: 12 hours each week, 9:30am – 4:30pm

NOTE: Tuesday morning events are typically held at Toronto's Carrot Common (348 Danforth Ave., just south of Chester Station), with afternoon and Thurs. events at various GTA locations. TTC fares and travel to sites that are outside of Toronto will be provided. Lunch will also be provided on site visit days that are out of the city.

Candidates (7-10)

• You are interested in gardens, nature, and environmental sustainability.
• Unemployed or underemployed Indigenous persons (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis) and reside within the GTA.
• Must be registered or eligible to register with Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment and Training.

About the Program

This exciting green infrastructure training program, created and delivered by SpruceLab Inc. (a Toronto social enterprise) is supported with funding from Miziwe Biik, and provides seven to ten trainees an opportunity to gain an introductory understanding of various green infrastructure practices. People will gain work experience through skills-based activities led by Indigenous and non-Indigenous experts. A goal of the program is to braid together Indigenous Knowledge with that of green infrastructure approaches and best practices. Training will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning Tuesday May 5th and ending Tuesday June 16th, 2026, and will have a Traditional Opening and Closing at the High Park Nature Centre, Toronto, ON.

Educational Themes

Ecological restoration and Indigenous cultural keystone species; designing and planting biodiverse native plant gardens; tree and shrub planting and care; the urban water cycle, bioretention, raingardens; green roofs (design, construction, and maintenance); food production / permaculture, hydroponics, and urban community farming.

Indigenous Trainers to date include Carolynne Crawley (Msit No'kmaq); Luana Harper Shirt (Knowledge Keeper and Educator), Samantha Williams-Barrantes and Nicole Austin (Toronto Metropolitan University Urban Farm). Training also provided by: ACER (Association for Canadian Educational Resources), Friends of Allan Gardens, LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests), Garden Jane, City Forest, Lorraine Johnson, STEP (Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program), Native Plants in Claremont, Flemo Farm, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, ZincCo Canada, etobigrow, Ginkgo Sustainability, and Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trade Association. Next Level Stormwater Management, ZincCo Canada, etobigrow, Ginkgo Sustainability, and Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association will assist trainees with employment options, additional training, or apprenticeship opportunities suitable to their interests.

Please email gwen@sprucelab.ca to express interest before Fri. April 24th, 2026.