Become a Steward
Are you passionate about nature and gardening? Do you have a green thumb and a desire to make a positive impact on the environment? Join Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) as a Glendale Steward and help us maintain and nurture the beautiful Glendale Rain Garden located within the Fletchers Creen SNAP neighbourhood in Brampton.
The Glendale Rain Garden was implemented with four goals in mind: to filter stormwater before it enters Fletchers Creek, create useable space in an unusable area of a school yard, provide essential pollination habitat and beautify the neighbourhood.
All are welcome and we especially encourage residents, community members and others who frequent the area to apply and help beautify the neighbourhood, deepen connections with nature and protect the environment.
What You’ll Be Doing
As a Glendale Steward, you will play a crucial role in the upkeep and maintenance of the Glendale Rain Garden. Your responsibilities will include watering, weeding, pruning and general garden maintenance unsupervised, on a regular basis, and according to your own schedule. You will work closely with our team of volunteers to ensure the garden remains healthy, thriving and visually appealing.
You will also provide valuable leadership to community event participants of all ages and backgrounds during special events held occasionally at the Glendale Rain Garden. You will play an important role by assisting CVC staff in guiding and connecting with participants and delivering event activities.
Tasks may include, but are not limited to:
- Maintaining a variety of native flowers, shrubs and trees
- Watering plants
- Pruning and trimming plants to promote healthy growth
- Weeding and removing unwanted plants or debris
- Assisting with seasonal garden preparations, seed collection and clean-up
- Collaborating with other volunteers and staff to execute special garden projects and events
Benefits of Volunteering
- Take part in an exciting stewardship project
- Opportunity to contribute to the preservation and beautification of your neighbourhood and a local rain garden
- Gain hands-on experience in gardening and horticulture
- Develop a deeper understanding of environmental sustainability, conservation and native plant gardening
- Connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for nature
- Grow as a leader in your community
- Make an impact by engaging community members in climate change actions
- Have fun and learn more about the Credit River Watershed and the local environment
- Earn volunteer hours, if applicable
Volunteer Guidelines
- Mandatory in-person training will occur on Saturday, May 11, 2024 (8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.). The location will be determined at a later date.
- Approximately 3-4 hours of at-home training is mandatory prior to the training session.
- Volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of four, 1-hour sessions of unsupervised maintenance in the garden and it is recommended for volunteers to attend at least one Glendale community event in 2024.
Eligibility
- 18 years of age or older
- Able to perform physical tasks (bending, lifting, carrying, walking long distances, etc.)
- Comfortable working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions
- A passion for gardening and an interest in environmental stewardship
- Desire to help your community
- Enthusiasm for conservation and climate change action
- Excellent teamwork and communication skills
- Vulnerable sector screening required (CVC will reimburse you for this cost)
- Knowledge of plant ID is considered an asset
- Knowledge of basic garden maintenance techniques and plant care is an asset
About the Organization
Credit Valley Conservation’s (CVC) Community Stewardship team runs community and corporate events for volunteer participants focused on hands-on conservation activities such as tree planting, litter clean-ups, and invasive species removal. These initiatives aim to foster a connection between people and nature, raise environmental awareness, and safeguard the Credit River Watershed from the impacts of climate change and other environmental challenges.
Role Details
Application Deadline
May 4, 2024
Number of Roles Available
Up to 15
Location
Glendale Rain Garden (Glendale Public School, 35 Sunset Boulevard, Brampton).
One in-person training session will take place in Brampton on May 11 from 8:30 to 12 p.m. The location will be determined at a later date.
Volunteer Days
Regular unsupervised maintenance to be determined and communicated by the volunteer. Events are scheduled on weekday nights or Saturday mornings throughout the year.
This program will run in the growing season, May through October.