Volunteer With Us!

Purpose: If you want to enjoy the rewards from being part of the team that works to develop and maintain at a high level the hiking trails at the core of the BTC’s “ribbon of wilderness”, then please fill out the form below. Everyone is welcome, and a wide range of opportunities exist.

Key Responsibilities: You could be the lead hand in efforts to maintain your very own section of the trail. Or you could respond as many times as you like to calls to: help develop new trail, bridges and boardwalks, or to fix existing specific issues throughout the Valley. If on-trail work is not your forte, you could help out with administrative support tasks. You may choose to work alone on your own schedule, or as part of our chainsaw, riding mower, whipper-snipper or flying squad teams.

Reports to: Director of Trail Development and Maintenance

Location: In person, Beaver Valley Bruce Trail (150 km of trail starting from Swiss meadows in Blue Mountains, then after Len Gertler (Loree) Memorial Forest,  passing by: Ravenna, Duncan, Kimberley, Eugenia, Hogg’s Falls, Wodehouse, Rocklyn, and Griersville, before ending in Blantyre at Grey Road 12) OR Online (for administrative support tasks)

Qualifications: Whatever your skills, we can find a role for you.  All we ask is a willingness to contribute whatever you can as part of a strong, enthusiastic and committed team of trail workers.

Support Provided/Volunteer Perks: Any necessary tools, inspiration and camaraderie (as you can handle).

Purpose: Our Land Stewardship team literally keeps their eyes and boots on the lands that the BTC owns or manages that the Bruce Trail passes through.  We have over sixty properties totalling almost 1000 hectares of land within the Club’s section. Each has a volunteer Land Steward assigned to ensure that all is in order on the entire property. Read more at: https://beavervalleybrucetrail.org/land-stewardship/

Key Responsibilities: Twice a year, we ask that a site visit report be filed on your assigned property.  This is where the fun begins… Few volunteer roles actually encourage going off trail as part of your responsibilities.  You’ll keep an eye out for boundary issues,  invasive and rare species, non-permitted uses, and anything usually associated with owning a property.

Reports to: Director of Land Stewardship

Location: in person, Beaver Valley Bruce Trail (depends on assigned property)

Time Commitment/Length of Commitment: Approximately two days per year at a minimum– twice a year, we ask that a site visit report be filed on your assigned property. Additional opportunities also exist via work parties (invasive species management, creating natural barriers, fence building, staking boundaries) that take place May through October.

Qualifications: We have many solo Land Stewards, and quite a number of pairs working together as well; many aspects of the role might suit a young family to do together. Enjoyment of hiking, bush-whacking and conservation.

Support Provided/Volunteer Perks: Your very own BTC property to visit and explore!  Land Stewards will be introduced to their assigned property and duties by a member of the Land Stewardship team. Additionally, regular communication from the Land Stewardship team keeps volunteers well informed about site visit timing, education opportunities and provides a channel for questions.

Purpose: Hike leaders are a key point of entry to introduce the public to hiking and the Beaver Valley Bruce Trail. Hike leaders have enthusiasm for hiking and sharing the experience with others. They will demonstrate appropriate usage of the trail, which supports the BTC mission of preserving it as a “ribbon of wilderness, for everyone, forever”. They will model respectful and inclusive conduct as part of the mission of the BTC.

Key Responsibilities: 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.

Reports to: Beaver Valley Hike Activities Director

Location: A variety of sections of trail in the Beaver Valley, location for any given hike chosen by the hike leader

Time Commitment/Length of Commitment: We welcome you as a hike leader for as long as you wish to continue to contribute to our hiking program. Hike leaders choose the length of time for their hikes, which can ange from as little as an hour or so to full day outings.

Qualifications: Please note that training and mentoring will be provided to enhance the skills listed 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

Support Provided/Volunteer Perks: Training and mentoring will be provided to enhance the skills listed above before a prospective leader leads hikes independently. The Hike Ontario “Certified Hike Leader” course, as well as First Aid certification are recommended. Fees for these courses will be reimbursed if the new hike leader leads 4 or more hikes in the Beaver Valley within the first year after they complete the courses.

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: To restore and protect more of the natural biosphere of the Beaver Valley’s ribbon of wilderness. Read more at: https://beavervalleybrucetrail.org/biodiversity/

Key Responsibilities: Joins our Club’s new biodiversity team in planning for, and increasing member and public participation in, the restoration (planting) of Native and Carolinian flora, and the elimination of invasive species, on local lands owned by the BTC. 

Reports to: The Biodiversity Team reports to the Club’s Director of Land Stewardship.

Location: In-person, Cuckoo Valley (as we like to say in honour of the now-extinct bird that once gave the Valley its name)

Time Level and Length of Commitment:  Flexible.  Planning/work season runs from April to October.

Qualifications: An eagerness to learn and contribute to conservation and land stewardship efforts. Suitable for high school volunteer hours.

Support Provided/Volunteer Perks: Support and training from other Biodiversity Team members, the Land Stewardship Director, Beaver Valley Bruce Trail Club Board and Bruce Trail Conservancy Conservation team. Perks include: all the Gatorade you can drink at work parties and the thanks of a grateful biosphere.

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: varies depending upon the position

Location: Combination of on-line/remote and in-person meetings (Beaver Valley area).

Time Commitment/Length of Commitment: Meetings of the Board of Directors occur monthly (online or in-person) as needed. 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.