Volunteer

What: Youth Stewardship Leaders work alongside CVC staff to provide valuable support for youth stewardship events across the watershed for our Conservation Youth Corps (CYC) and Branch Out programs. CYC runs from July to September and Branch Out runs in the spring and fall months.

You will play an important role by assisting CVC staff in guiding and connecting with youth participants (grades 9 to 12) and delivering event activities. Tasks include:

• Assisting with on-site event preparation and cleanup
• Support CVC staff in the supervision and leadership of youth participants
• Assist with daily tasks such as setting up equipment and trees/shrubs at stewardship sites
• Guiding participants and providing activity demonstrations
• Ensuring quality of restoration work by participants
• Engaging with and assisting participants
• Practicing and encouraging a safe work environment
• Taking photos
• Create positive and inspiring volunteer and learning experiences for participants
• Represent CVC while working alongside volunteers and community partners

Scope of Commitment: Volunteers are asked to commit to at least one volunteer shift per week during July and September based on their availability and complete the following:

• Mandatory in-person training session (date TBD)
• Prior to the in-person session, you will be required to complete online Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities (AODA) trainings and review several CVC policies and procedures
• In-field training will take place at your first volunteer shifts

Benefits of Volunteering: There are many benefits to being a Volunteer Leader, including:

• Grow as a leader in your community
• Take part in exciting stewardship projects and help restore the Credit River Watershed
• Make an impact by engaging community members in climate change actions
• Work closely with awesome CVC staff and network with environmentally-minded people
• Network with environmental professionals and champions
• Gain valuable experience and skills in the environmental sector, community outreach, and working with youth
• Have fun and learn more about the Credit River Watershed and the environment
• Act as a representative of CVC and receive a CVC volunteer t-shirt
• Earn volunteer hours and recognition for your work
• Receive a volunteer certificate

Eligibility: Volunteers for the Youth Stewardship Leader roles should meeting the following criteria:

• Between the ages of 18 and 29
• Able to perform physical tasks (bending, lifting, carrying, walking long distances, etc.)
• Comfortable working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions
• Strong interest in nature and working with youth
• Desire to gain leadership skills
• Enthusiasm for conservation and climate change action
• Confidence leading groups and interacting with the public
• Vulnerable sector screening required (CVC will reimburse you for the cost)
• First aid training an asset
• Previous volunteer experience and/or working in a customer service role considered a strong asset
• Previous experience in stewardship events/activities considered a strong asset
• Must be able to volunteer at least once a week Monday to Friday

Express your interest for this volunteer role.

What: Glendale Rain Garden Stewards help in the upkeep and maintenance of the rain garden. Responsibilities include regular unsupervised weeding, pruning and general garden maintenance. Stewards work closely with CVC’s Community Stewardship team and other volunteers to ensure the garden remains healthy, thriving and visually appealing.

Opportunity Availability: recruitment is currently closed for this role.

What: Community Stewardship Volunteer Leaders provide valuable leadership at community and corporate events, like tree plantings, invasive species removals, litter clean-ups and more.

Each year our volunteers plants over 6,000 native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers, remove over two acres of invasive species and collect more than 600 pounds of litter.

You will play an important role by assisting CVC staff:

• Welcoming and registering participants
• Demonstrating activities and ensuring quality work
• Encouraging safe and meaningful participation
• Assisting with site setup and cleanups

Events take place across Mississauga, Brampton, Orangeville, Erin, Halton Hills, and Caledon.

Scope of Commitment: Events run from April to November, with most taking place on Saturday mornings. Some weekday and evening events are also available. Most events take place in the spring (April to June) and fall (September to October).

We ask that volunteers commit to a minimum of four events per year—at least two in the spring and two in the fall. Shifts are typically 4 to 5 hours long.

Volunteers will be required to participate in training:

• One in-person training session Tuesday, April 1, 2025 (5:30–8:30 p.m.) at CVC Administrative Office in Mississauga.
• Approximately 3 to 4 hours of online training on accessibility and CVC policies.
• Onsite training provided during your first volunteer event.

Benefits of Volunteering: There are many benefits to being a Volunteer Leader, including:

• Work alongside a passionate, supportive, and inclusive team
• Build leadership skills and gain hands-on environmental experience
• Contribute to climate action and community engagement efforts
• Network with professionals in the conservation field
• Earn volunteer hours and receive formal recognition, including a volunteer certificate

Opportunity Availability: We accept expressions of interest for this role annually in March.

What: Maple Syrup in the Park volunteers to assist with a variety of event offerings. Our goal is providing visitors with a fun experience for the whole family!

Volunteer roles may include:

• Welcome Booth Greeter: This role involves greeting event attendees at our Welcome Booth, providing basic event orientation and information to visitors, providing children with instructions and materials for our scavenger hunt, and highlighting special event offerings.
• Taffy Station Assistant: This role involves serving maple taffy-on-ice to our visitors. Learn how to make maple taffy in real time.
• General Event Assistance: Includes various event needs – parking, guiding visitors to our special event offerings, helping out in the park store or sugar shack.

Scope of Commitment: Maple Syrup in the Park takes place in March. Volunteers will have the option of morning or afternoon shifts. Morning shifts take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and afternoon shifts run from 12:30 to 4:39 p.m. Note: afternoon shifts may end early depending on event needs and volume of visitors. Volunteers should have transportation available in a flexible manner.

Volunteering must meet the following criteria to participate:

• • Youth volunteers ages 15 to 17 may attend without a parent or guardian present but must have a CVC Consent, Release and Waiver of Liability, Terms and Conditions form signed by a parent or guardian and present it prior to participating.
  • Complete volunteer requirements, including the acknowledgement of various forms, and the completion of home accessibility training (5 minutes). These documents will be emailed to you upon receipt of your interest.

Benefits of Volunteering: There are many benefits of volunteering at Maple Syrup in the Park, including:

• Free pancake breakfast at the pancake house
• High school volunteer hours (if applicable)
• Free event entry after your shift has concluded
• Great experience learning about customer service, Conservation Park events and the cultural significance of maple syrup
• Time outdoors in an enjoyable atmosphere

Opportunity Availability: We accept expressions of interest for this role annually in February.