Volunteering off the beaten path
Shoreline cleanup on Brier Island, NS (Photo by NCC)
This summer, get off the beaten track and lend a hand for nature! Abandon your weekend routine, and venture into some of the lesser-known corners of Canada by joining one of the Nature Conservancy of Canada's (NCC's) Conservation Volunteers events.
Travel along stretches of prairie roads under open skies, traverse the Bay of Fundy by ferry or climb the iconic peaks of the Rockies in support of on-the-ground conservation work.
Check out these five upcoming events, and visit our Conservation Volunteers event calendar for more volunteer opportunities near you.
British Columbia
Happy Valley, Happy Trails
Date: August 24
Nearest gas station: Langford, BC
Photographing the meadows at Lohbrunner Woods, BC (Photo by NCC)
Take a trip to the traditional territory of the Beecher Bay, Malahat, Songhees, Nanoose, T’Sou-ke and Saanich First Nations. Join NCC staff for an afternoon of stewardship work at the beautiful Lohbrunner Woods conservation area on Vancouver Island. Acquired from The Land Conservancy in 2015, the property encompasses coastal Douglas-fir habitat, rocky bluffs and open sites that sustain arbutus, camas and a diversity of meadow herbs.
Alberta
Journey into Blind Canyon
Date: August 10
Nearest gas station: Pincher Creek, AB
A volunteer removing an invasive weed at Waterton Park, AB. (Photo by NCC)
Join NCC and the Castle-Crown Wilderness Coalition on a stunning hike into Blind Canyon to tackle invasive species along the eastern front of the Rocky Mountains. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the beautiful scenery at this remote conservation site near Waterton Lakes National Park, while learning about the natural and human history of the area from a local guide.
Saskatchewan
Clean-up at Key West
Date: August 26
Nearest gas station: Avonlea, SK
A burrowing owl keeps an eye on volunteers on the Sage and Sparrow Conservation Area in the South Okanagan, BC (Photo by Dianne Bersea)
Travel to Key West without ever leaving Canada! Join forces with NCC to help clean up an old yard site on our Key West conservation site, located approximately one and a half hours southwest of Regina. Thanks to diverse grassland and wetland habitats, you may spot one of the many species at risk that reside in the area, such as ferruginous hawk, burrowing owl, northern leopard frog or Sprague’s pipit. Hit the open road, and embrace that big prairie sky!
Manitoba
Tall Grass Prairie Monarch Survey
Date: August 19
Nearest gas station: Stuartburn, MB
Monarch butterfly (Photo by NCC)
Become a citizen scientist for the day! Join NCC staff in conducting surveys of milkweed plants and monarch butterflies in Manitoba’s tall grass prairie. The data you collect will help NCC measure the effectiveness of our conservation work in providing suitable habitat for these species. The data will also be submitted to the Mission Monarch project, a Canada-wide initiative to collect information about the distribution and status of the monarch. With less than one half of one percent of tall grass prairie remaining in North America, this natural area is a significant refuge for plants and animals, and is well worth a visit!
Nova Scotia
Sights and Sounds of Brier Island
Date: August 26
Nearest gas station: Westport, NS
A day well spent at the Brier Island Clean-up. (Photo by NCC)
The Brier Island Nature Reserve is surrounded by the swirling waters of the Bay of Fundy and is accessed by not one, but two ferry trips. The island features spectacular coastline views, and is home to 95 per cent of the entire Canadian population of eastern mountain avens. Join NCC in cleaning up the shoreline and maintaining the 3.5-kilometre Brier Island Coastal Trail. As part of this event, you’ll have the opportunity to take part in early morning bird banding demonstration, and savour some of the local flavour at a community BBQ!
About the Author
Kailey Setter is the national manager of conservation engagement at the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
