Written by Matteo Pereria
Hello, my name is Matteo Pereira, I am a new student employee at the Arboretum this summer. I am studying Environmental Governance at the University of Guelph.
This season has been far from normal and this year as a whole has been full of challenges. However, I am very thankful for the opportunity to work during such unprecedented times. I could not be happier how the Arboretum and their staff have created such a safe and calming workplace for myself and others.
Truthfully, I was anxious in the beginning. I didn’t know how we would function in a world with required social distancing or how we would ensure the protection of ourselves and our fellow coworkers during this pandemic. Thoughts of “How would we work together, yet apart from one another?” occupied many of my thoughts leading into our first week of work on May 19th. But every fear or worry was immediately quelled once I arrived on my first day. Kellen and the other staff at The Arboretum had not only thought of everything from a logistical standpoint such as sanitization and shared space but also created a workplace where the new normal seemed effortless and rewarding.
While working for The Arboretum, I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with Kellen, Sean, Polly, Cael, and Sarah. In my previous jobs, I was surrounded by people that had a passion for what they did, and it shaped my outlook on life. Within only a month of working here, I can easily say that the staff at The Arboretum also have a similar passion for what they do. I can’t help but feel compelled to learn from my coworkers and do my best to help them in any way I can.
I have lived in Guelph my entire life and I have always known about The Arboretum. I have always walked through The Arb as a means of getting closer to nature and escaping the stress of everyday society, but until I got to work here I never truly comprehended the size of The Arboretum and the amount of care that the staff put into this incredible place. Through this pandemic and working at The Arboretum, I have learned that sometimes we need to stop what we are doing and look around us in order to experience the beauty that surrounds us, both in nature and in the great people that we would otherwise just pass by.
Matteo Pereira is an undergraduate Environmental Governance student at the University of Guelph