Red Leaf Volunteer Programs – Positions in Throughout Canada

Last updated: January 30, 2009
#	CATEGORY	WHAT	WHERE	WHEN

E1	Environment	Community based environment group that protects and enhances a major watershed through education, bio-monitoring, ecological restoration & community involvement. Each year, volunteers plant more than 15,000 trees, shrubs and wildflowers.	Toronto	April - early November
E2	Environment	Provide support for community based ecological monitoring and stewardship. Possibilities include office work, research and program assistants for field projects.	Toronto	All year. Field projects May - September
E3	Environment	Botanical garden that offers themed gardens over several acres. Assist with summer gardening.	Toronto, outside Toronto	May - September
E4	Environment / animals	This organization provides environmental shows and programs geared to inspiring children to protect the natural world. The Animal Care Assistant does not have direct contact with animals but assists with the care of the animal ambassadors. Animal husbandry duties include watering, cleaning, enclosure upkeep, behavioural modification, record keeping etc. Volunteers should not be afraid to touch insects.	Outside Toronto	All year
E5	Environment	Eco friendly house sponsored by a major Ontario city. In addition to the house, there are organic gardens, flower gardens, idling free program, windmill, lightbulb program, earthworms for composting.	Outside Toronto	All year
E6	Environment	Large areas of a rich agricultural area are in need of re-forestation. The mission of this organization is to plant 150,000 tree saplings - the minimum needed to maintain good water quality and quantity. Volunteers assist at a tree nursery to plant and prepare seedlings. Learn about propagation of native trees and wildflowers, climate change and the role of trees, ecosystems. Possible interaction with school groups and public groups involved in this massive project.	Outside Toronto	All year
E7	Environment	This organization is committed to promoting an understanding of and appreciation for nature. Volunteers can help with summer camps (July and August) or educational programs for schools (spring and fall). They could also help maintain the ecological health of the area by maintaining trails, building displays and caring for the resident animals.	Outside Toronto	April - November
E8	Environment	This ecology society provides stewardship for a major urban park through initiatives in education, research and conservation. Opportunities include assisting with programs for schools and the public, assisting at the information building and invasive species removal.	Vancouver	All year. Special programs for Halloween (October) and Christmas (end November - December).
E9	Environment	This nature park works in partnership with a city to deliver natural history programs for children and the public. Volunteers could help with school programs, special events and park operations (wildlife garden, trail maintenance, weeding, pruning and special projects).	Vancouver	School Programs late September - early June. Park operations April - October.
E10	Environment / children	This organization provides programs for children to promote environmental awareness through science-based farm learning (sustainable farming).	Vancouver	School programs spring and fall. Summer camps in July & August.
E11	Environment	This well respected wilderness preservation organization has opportunities in general office work, research, public outreach and trail club activities (e.g. build a trail or farm).	Vancouver & outside Vancouver	12 months for office work & research. Trail club activities are spring, summer and fall.
E12	Environment	Volunteers work with the parks department of a major city to visit various city parks and assist the horticulture division. Watering, pruning, planting, weeding & fertilizing of ornamental plants and gardens.	Outside Vancouver	12 months.
E13	Environment	This organization is a regional land trust. Their mission is to conserve natural habitats. Volunteer opportunities TBD.	Victoria and outside Victoria	TBD
E14	Environment	This magnificant public garden welcomes volunteers to assist with gardening, greeting visitors at the garden and the gate, gift shop steward and tea room server.	Victoria	March - September
E15	Environment	This major horticulture centre has 6 acres of gardens and 93 acres of woodlands. Volunteers help with gardening & special events.	Victoria	All year
E16	Environment	This nature sanctuary is a nature education centre comprising two areas; a marshy lowlands around a lake and rocky, oak-forested highlands. Volunteers can help with trail construction, gardening with native plants, invasive species removal, bird watching, special events, summer camps or special projects for those who prefer to work inside.	Victoria	All year. Short or long term.
E17	Environment	Habitat assessment project of a watershed & stream. Learn about watersheds and what constitutes a healthy stream and what negatively impacts rivers and streams.	Comox (Vancouver Island - remote)	July & August
E18	Environment	This organization focuses on environmental education through interpretive programs for the public and schools as well as community stewardship.	Tofino (Vancouver Island - remote)	Short term (2-3 days for invasive species removal Sept. - March). Festival August 23 for one week. Possibly school & other summer programs.
E19	Environment	Major research reserve works to preserve the natural resources and environment of a region. They offer programs about flora, fauna, hydrology, agricultural practices and geology. Volunteers will assist in the community gardens. Other possible opportunities with trail maintenance and possibly school programs / special events.	Outside Toronto	May - September
C1	Children	After school programs & drop-in centres including recreational, sports, games, reading, arts & crafts, computers, music, cooking, homework & many others. Day care programs for pre-school children. March break and summer camp programs.	All locations	After school programs early September to 3rd week of June. Day care all year. Camps during March break and July & August.
C2	Children	Assist in classrooms Kindergarten through grade 8, also with gym class and lunch monitoring. This will be of interest primarily to teachers. Limited availability - special request only.	Outside Toronto, Toronto, Outside Vancouver	Mid September - Mid June, excluding Christmas and March break holidays.
A1	Animals	Provide shelter and care for homeless, abused and abandoned domestic animals until they can be adopted. Duties could include animal socialization, cat cuddling, grooming, dog walking, cleaning, helping with special events e.g. adoptathons, accompanying the animals to vet visits etc.	Toronto, outside Toronto, Vancouver, outside Vancouver	All year
A2	Animals	Assist at a pet hospital. Duties could include observing examinations and surgeries, monitoring animals in recovery, cleaning and assisting staff.	Outside Toronto, Victoria	All year
A3	Animals	This children's farm provides an educational form of entertainment for the whole family. Helps children develop a respect for farm animals including goats, miniature horses, donkeys etc. Duties include clean-up, raking pens, food & water, grooming.	Victoria	March - early October
A4	Animals	This horse ranch offers riding lessons, boarding, March break and summer camps and trail rides. Opportunities depend on experience level but include cleaning, grooming, feeding, water etc.	Outside Vancouver	January to November
CS1	Seniors	Seniors in-residence retirement homes. Duties could include walking, visiting, helping with meals, transport via wheelchair, assisting with recreational activities including games, bingo, social events etc. TB test required.	Toronto, outsideToronto, Victoria	All year
CS2	Seniors	Assist more active seniors with recreational programs at community centres including, exercise, sports, special events etc.	Toronto, Outside Toronto	All year
CS3	Disabled children & adults / animals	This organization enhances the quality of life for disabled children and adults through equestrian therapy (horse riding for the disabled). Duties depend on experience but could include horse care (cleaning, feeding, grooming, tacking), leaders (working with the horses), sidewalkers (working with the riders).	Outside Toronto, Outside Vancouver	All year
CS4	Children with special needs	This organizations provides programs for children with spina bifida, downs, cerebral palsy, autism, muscular dystrophy, speech impairments, hearing loss. Volunteers can provide support to therapists and families, assist with special events, admin support, equipment. Mandatory proof of immunization is required along with TB test (contact Red Leaf for list of specific immunizations required).	Outside Toronto	All year but short term preferred.
CS5	Youth shelter	Social work, community outreach, teens at risk, young mothers. Volunteering with homeless and troubled youth as well as young mothers.	Outside Toronto	All year