Canada – Environmental Protection

This project takes place in various placement locations throughout Canada. Volunteers will choose whether they prefer to be placed in Western or Central Canada, and the specific volunteer placement will be assigned for them. Please keep in mind that all placements are in very rural, secluded areas; you will be right in the middle of the beautiful Canadian nature!

Placements in Western Canada include British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. This region includes the Rocky Mountains, Pacific Ocean, Great Plains, and sub-arctic. These placements are suitable year-round.

Placements in Central Canada are in the Ontario region and are concentrated in the region stretching from Ottawa to Windsor, which is closer to a city, making this destination ideal for volunteers who wish to sightsee during their stay. March-November is the recommended timing for this placement, as the winters in this area can be particularly harsh.

Volunteers will choose their preferred location- Central or Western Canada and will then be assigned to a specific project based on availability and a volunteer’s skill set. Placements may be at wilderness organizations, public and private parks, within indigenous communities and/or at environmental research organizations. Some of these may include projects such as community-led salmon conservation, ecosystem data collection, urban farming and education, assisting in indigenous peoples’ communities and more. The work involved in this project is often physical, so volunteers must be in good physical condition in order to participate.

Some of your tasks may include:

• Clearing wilderness areas and restoring trails
• Cataloging native and invasive plant species
• Operating salmon hatcheries
• Gardening

Volunteers are also responsible for shared communal living duties, such as cooking, cleaning bathrooms and laundry.

A typical day: Schedules will vary depending on placement , but generally volunteers work between 25-40 hours per week depending on the project and the season.

Please note: Specific tasks may vary depending on placement.

Holidays: For placements during the holidays listed below, volunteer work will begin on a Tuesday, not a Monday:

• Easter
• Canada Day
• Labour Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Remembrance Day

For more environmental and agricultural volunteer projects, click here.

Internet: Internet availability depends on placement and may not always be available in more rural locations.

Laundry: Laundry facilities may or may not be available depending on placement. Some placements may require extra fees for laundry service or hand washing clothes.

Accommodations: Volunteers will stay in shared, mixed-gender rooms. Same-gender rooms available upon request. All non-tent accommodation is furnished, heated, and comes with self catering and washroom facilities. For tent accommodation at more rustic sites, tents and bedding are provided, as is access to cooking and washroom facilities.

Food: Meals are generally not included for most placements. Volunteers must be able to prepare their own meals. There are shops in which food can be bought close to all accommodations. If a volunteer is placed in an accommodation that includes meals, they will be notified well in advance.

Please take note of this project’s minimum requirements:

• Basic level of English
• Application completed at least 8 weeks before selected start date
• Eligibility for a Canadian visa
• Good physical and mental health
• Volunteers must be able to lift at least 15 kg
• Volunteers must be able to maneuver over rough terrain, where there are sometimes no roads or walkways
• Volunteers cannot not have a medical condition that requires frequent care (as placements are far from cities or emergency treatment)
• Willingness to live in a remote location without regular access to facilities such as internet or shops

Travel highlights depend on placement location. Placements in Western Canada are a far distance from cities, so travel is contained to surrounding nature areas. A few of the placements in Central Canada are closer to the city, so exploring the capital city of Ottawa may be a good way to get some sightseeing done during free time from the volunteer work. Please note that some of the Central Canada placements may be located up to a seven hours’ drive away from Ottawa.