volunteer with us!
Volunteers are the heart of the Beaver Valley Bruce Trail club. If you are interested in joining our volunteer family, please reach out via the “Interested in Volunteering” form below.
Read on for brief descriptions of the some of the volunteer opportunities available. Don’t see something that matches your interests? The following list is not exhaustive – We have lots of jobs, big and small, for all abilities. Please feel free to get connected!
A wide variety of opportunities are available for those interested in a more hands-on role in helping maintain our trails. Fill out the form below to find out more about how we maintain the trails. Time commitments are flexible.
Volunteer Land Stewards actively care for each of the properties that are owned or managed by the Bruce Trail Conservancy. As an active caretaker of a protected natural area, you visit your assigned property at least twice a year, complete annual reports on the conditions of the land, provide input into the stewardship plans, and help to organize and carry out stewardship activities such as tree planting, garbage removal, staking property boundaries and installing signs and fences. Read more about Land Stewardship here.
Commitment: Our hope is that hike leaders will commit to at least one hike per month, in all four seasons if possible. We recognize that life happens and schedules/travel may preclude this. We still welcome whatever you can contribute.
Characteristics of a good hike leader: Has enthusiasm for hiking and sharing the experience with others, demonstrates a sense of responsibility and respect for all individuals
Skills required (Please note that training and mentoring will be provided to enhance the skills listed below before a volunteer leads hikes independently):
- Knowledge of safe hiking practices
- Knowledge of appropriate hiking gear and equipment
- Ability to clearly communicate information and expectations to a group
- Ability to work cooperatively
- Ability to respond appropriately if problems arise
- Shows awareness of proactive and reactive risk management techniques
- Has basic knowledge of computers for online entry of their upcoming hikes
- Hike leaders will choose the location, pace and length of their hikes according to their abilities.
- First Aid training is recommended
Purpose: Trail angels shuttle hikers to a chosen start point using the Trail Angel’s personal vehicle. Hikers provide a parking point on the trail, a start of hike point, as well as a time they would like to be picked up. Trail Angels pick hikers up at their specified vehicle parking spot and shuttle them to the beginning of their hike. The hikers will then make their way back to their vehicle.
Key Responsibilities: Volunteers are added to an list managed by the Beaver Valley Trail Angel coordinator. When a trail angel request is received by the club, the Trail Angel coordinator will email the request out to all volunteer Trail Angels. If a volunteer is available to fulfill the shuttle request, they may reply to the Trail Angel coordinator. The Trail Angel Coordinator will then connect the volunteer to the hiker(s) and finalize details.
Reports to: Trail Angel Coordinator and Trail Activities Director
Location: trailheads/parking areas along the Beaver Valley Section of the Bruce Trail
Time Commitment/Length of Commitment: The time commitment is very flexible– there is no minimum commitment/obligation.
Qualifications: Volunteers must have a driver’s licence valid in Ontario and their own insured vehicle.
Support Provided/Volunteer Perks: Hikers will make a donation directly to the Beaver Valley Bruce Trail Club by e-transfer or cheque (the Trail Angel volunteer is not responsible for collecting donations). These donations support the work our club does to maintain a safe and beautiful trail. You also meet some great people along the way!
Purpose: Volunteers will help in the production of our club e-newsletter, Beaver Bytes. Volunteers will have the opportunity to contribute to creating and editing content to keep our members informed and inspired about the Beaver Valley Bruce Trail, conservation, special events, hiking and much more. Volunteers may also contribute content to the Beaver Valley Bruce Trail Club blog.
Key Responsibilities: researching topics, drafting and editing articles, curating relevant news highlights
Reports to: Director of Communications and Publicity
Location: Remote, Online
Time Commitment/Length of Commitment: approximately 2-3 hours per month. No minimum length of commitment.
Qualifications: Experience with Google docs is an asset plus a passion to share the good news about the Bruce Trail. For volunteers who are interested in contributing to the Beaver Valley Bruce Trail Club blog, experience with WordPress is an asset but not necessary.
Support Provided/Volunteer Perks: The e-comms group is a team of volunteers working together to publish the monthly e-newsletter. The editor of the newsletter oversees the final product and submission. Training will be provided as necessary. Suitable for high school volunteer hours.
Purpose: Outreach volunteers interact with and educate the public about the Beaver Valley Bruce Trail Club and the Bruce Trail Conservancy during community events such as: farmers’ markets, regional fairs, parades, Bruce Trail Day, etc. Outreach volunteers strive to thoughtfully and respectfully and inclusively communicate the mission of the BTC– “A ribbon of wilderness for everyone, forever.”
Key Responsibilities: interacting with members of the public at Beaver Valley Bruce Trail Club-organized events or partner events; public education; member and volunteer recruitment; Bruce Trail swag sales.
Reports to: Director of Communications and Publicity
Location: In-person, various indoor and outdoor locations around the Beaver Valley area (previous locations include: Thornbury, Meaford, Owen Sound, Flesherton, Kimberley, Markdale)
Time Commitment/Length of Commitment: 3-4 hours per outreach event. Events typically occur on weekends in the late Spring, Summer and Fall. Volunteers will have the opportunity to sign up for as many or as few events as desired– there is no minimum requirement. Approximately 6-8 opportunities per year.
Qualifications: comfortable interacting with the public, able to stand for extended periods.
Support Provided/Volunteer Perks: Training and information about the club and frequently asked questions will be provided to all volunteers. All new volunteers will have the opportunity to participate alongside experienced volunteers and/or board members. Training on Square POS device for payment will be provided. Suitable for high school volunteer hours.
Purpose: Beaver Valley Bruce Trail Club Board Members have a passion for increasing the pace of conservation and responsibly connecting people to nature. Board members include the: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, directors of portfolios (e.g. Membership and Volunteers, Land Stewardship, etc.) and Directors at Large. If you are interested in a volunteer leadership position in a top-rated charitable organization, please consider applying to join our Board of Directors.
Key Responsibilities: vary depending upon the position
Location: Combination or on-line/remote and in-person meetings/Beaver Valley area.
Time Commitment/Length of Commitment: Meetings of the Board of Directors occur at a minimum of four times annually. Exact time commitment will vary depending on the position. Board director positions are up for nomination annually at the club’s Annual General Meeting (with the exception of the Bruce Trail Conservancy Club Nominee, whose term is defined in the Bruce Trail Conservancy by-laws).
Qualifications: vary depending on the position
Support Provided/Volunteer Perks: On-boarding with returning board members and out-going directors.