Volunteer in Your Biosphere: April Edition
Spring is the perfect time to get outside and give back to your local biosphere!
As the snow melts and new life emerges across Canada's diverse ecosystems, our biospheres need your help more than ever. Each hour you volunteer contributes to vital research, habitat restoration, and wildlife protection that will shape these precious environments for generations to come.
What makes biosphere volunteering special? Unlike traditional volunteering, your work in these UNESCO-designated areas directly supports both environmental sustainability AND the communities that depend on these balanced ecosystems. You'll gain new skills, meet passionate people, and experience nature in ways few others do—all while making a tangible impact on conservation efforts.
Whether you have just a few hours to spare or are looking for a regular commitment, this April's opportunities span from casual citizen science projects you can do from your backyard to hands-on conservation work in some of Canada's most stunning landscapes.
Ready to find your perfect match? Dive into this month's opportunities below!
📩 Sign up for the Biosphere Bathing newsletter to get these opportunities sent straight to your inbox every month!
📩 Sign up for the Biosphere Bathing newsletter to get these opportunities sent straight to your inbox every month!
Volunteer from Anywhere
Contribute to Citizen Science with iNaturalist
Dates: Anytime
Location: Anywhere in the World
Get involved in citizen science and explore nature in a whole new way with iNaturalist! The app lets you record and share your observations of plants, animals, and fungi, contributing to global biodiversity research. Every photo you upload helps scientists track species and monitor ecosystems. It's a fun, interactive way to volunteer for conservation efforts while discovering the natural world around you. Follow Biosphere Bathing on iNaturalist to get live updates on species we see in Biosphere Regions across North America.
Anywhere in Canada
Count the birds at your feeder with Birds Canada
Dates: November to April
Location: Anywhere in Canada
Volunteer with Project FeederWatch and turn your love of birdwatching into a meaningful contribution to science! Simply count the birds that visit your yard, balcony, or local green space and report your sightings. Your observations help scientists track bird populations and understand changes in species distribution over time. No experience or feeder is necessary—just your curiosity! This flexible citizen science project lets you enjoy nature while supporting vital conservation efforts.
Monitor Nesting Birds with Birds Canada
Dates: Anytime
Location: Anywhere in Canada
Want to make a real impact on bird conservation? Join Project NestWatch and help monitor nesting birds in your area! By observing and recording nest activity, you’ll contribute to vital research that tracks breeding patterns, bird health, and the effects of environmental change. Whether in your backyard, at a park, or on a hike, your observations help scientists protect Canada’s bird populations. Get involved and be part of this nationwide citizen science initiative!
Beaver Hills Biosphere, Alberta, Canada
Fix Fences with Edmonton Area Land Trust
Dates: April 12, 2025
Location: Boisvert’s Greenwoods, Alberta
Volunteer with EALT to restore vital wildlife habitat by removing hazardous barbed wire fencing. Boisvert’s Greenwoods serves as a key corridor in an agricultural landscape, but aging fences pose risks to both wildlife and visitors. Help clear damaged wire along the property’s boundaries in this physically active event. Expect bushwhacking, using hand tools, and carrying supplies. Sturdy gear is required. Make a hands-on impact for conservation!
Image Credit: EALT
Bat Box Monitoring with the Edmonton & Area Land Trust
Dates: June 2025 (apply by April 22)
Location: Alberta
Volunteer with EALT and help monitor Alberta’s bat populations! As a citizen scientist, you’ll conduct two evening surveys per month, spending about three hours per visit counting bats as they exit roosting boxes. Your data helps track white-nose syndrome, a deadly bat disease, and supports conservation efforts. Volunteers may also collect guano for research. This is a unique chance to make a real impact on Alberta’s wildlife!
Photo Credit: Ann Froschauer, Gerald Romanchuk, EALT
Bird Surveying with Edmonton Area Land Trust
Dates: June-August 2025 (apply by April 22)
Location: Alberta
Help track Alberta’s bird populations with EALT! Spend an hour each month surveying Common Loons and other species at conservation sites. Birds reflect environmental health, and your data will support conservation efforts through Birds Canada. Some bird ID experience is needed, but every observation makes a difference. Ready to volunteer? Apply by April 22 and take part in this important project!
Craft Booth Volunteers with Nature Alberta
Dates: April 26–27, 2025
Location: Tofield, Alberta
Volunteer at Nature Alberta’s booth during the Snow Goose Festival! Help share resources on Alberta’s wild spaces while engaging kids with fun nature-themed crafts. If you love inspiring young minds and connecting people with conservation, this is the perfect opportunity. Shifts are four hours, and you can sign up for one or more. Join the fun and celebrate spring migration with thousands of birds overhead!
Image Credit: Nature Alberta
Monitor Lakes with Alberta Lake Management Society
Dates: Ongoing
Location: Lakes across Alberta
Volunteer with LakeWatch and help track the health of Alberta’s lakes! As a citizen scientist, you’ll work alongside ALMS technicians to collect essential water quality data, including temperature, clarity, and invasive species. Your contributions support conservation, research, and better lake management. This program provides crucial insights into lake ecosystems and long-term environmental trends. No experience needed—just a love for freshwater and a desire to make an impact!
Clayoquot Sound Biosphere, British Columbia, Canada
Help Identify Humpback Whales with MERS
Dates: Ongoing
Location: Coastal British Columbia
Support whale conservation by contributing Humpback Whale identification photos to the Canadian Pacific Humpback Collaboration! Your photos of whale flukes, dorsal fins, or mouths (taken from a legal distance) help researchers track individuals, monitor populations, and protect these incredible marine mammals. To submit sightings, include the date, time, location, and photographer’s name and email data@mersociety.org or use the Humpback Data Form. Every submission helps advance research and conservation!
Frontenac Arch Biosphere, Ontario, Canada
Survey Owls with Birds Canada
Dates: April
Location: New Brunswick
Join this citizen science project to monitor owl populations across Ontario. Volunteers conduct a one-night roadside survey along a pre-assigned route, using owl call broadcasts to track species presence. Data collected helps assess forest health and conservation needs. Birds Canada provides training materials and survey tools. A great opportunity for nature lovers to contribute to vital wildlife research—sign up and help protect Canada’s owls!
Fundy Biosphere, New Brunswick, Canada
Survey Owls with Birds Canada
Dates: April 1 – May 15, 2025
Location: New Brunswick
Join this citizen science project to monitor owl populations across Atlantic Canada. Volunteers conduct a one-night roadside survey along a pre-assigned route, using owl call broadcasts to track species presence. Data collected helps assess forest health and conservation needs. Birds Canada provides training materials and survey tools. A great opportunity for nature lovers to contribute to vital wildlife research—sign up and help protect Atlantic Canada’s owls!
Georgian Bay Biosphere, Ontario, Canada
Dates: Anytime
Location: Georgian Bay
Help protect Ontario’s freshwater turtles by reporting sightings through the Turtle Sightings Reporting Form with Ausable Bay Conservation Authority (ABCA) or iNaturalist. Your observations contribute to important conservation data that supports habitat protection. Volunteers can also build nest protectors to safeguard turtle eggs. With turtle populations declining due to habitat loss and road mortality, your efforts play a crucial role in conservation. Flexible participation—submit reports whenever you see a turtle in the area.
Maintain Trails with Muskoka Conservancy
Dates: Summer – Apply by April 4, 2025
Location: Muskoka
Love the outdoors and working with your hands? Join Muskoka Conservancy’s Trail Team to help maintain and create trails on protected nature reserves. Volunteers trim vegetation, install signage, blaze trails, and even build footbridges—all essential for keeping trails accessible to the community. No experience needed—training is provided! If you’re comfortable hiking and using hand tools, this is your chance to make a lasting impact on Muskoka’s wild spaces.
Howe Sound Biosphere, British Columbia, Canada
Dates: April - August, apply before March 31st!
Location: Howe Sound
Help protect local marine habitats by volunteering with the Crab Team to monitor European green crabs, an invasive species threatening native ecosystems. Volunteers will assist with setting traps, collecting data, and surveying shorelines to help conservationists track and manage these populations. Flexible volunteer opportunities are available, and training is provided, making it a great way to get involved in hands-on marine conservation.
Image Credit: SSISC
Count Birds with Lighthouse Park Preservation Society
Dates: Sunday April 6 at 8am
Location: Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver
Spring is always an exciting time to count birds in Lighthouse Park. In addition to the park’s resident nesting birds, volunteers will observe migratory species passing through on their journey north. The bird count takes place on the first Sunday of the month, meeting at the entrance to Birdsong Path. No experience is required—extra eyes and ears are always helpful!
Volunteer for the Bird Count with Nature Squamish
Dates: Sunday, April 13 at 7am
Location: Squamish, British Columbia
Explore the Squamish Estuary, an Important Bird Area, and learn to identify birds by sight and sound while contributing to long-term bird population monitoring. Volunteers will observe a variety of habitats, from floodplain forests to tidal mudflats, recording valuable data on local bird populations. The count lasts four to six hours, with a mix of walking and driving. No experience is needed, and results are tallied over lunch for those who wish to join!
Remove Invasive Species with SSISC
Dates: Sunday, April 27, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Location: Coho Park, Squamish
Celebrate Earth Day by giving back to nature! Join the Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council and the Squamish Watershed Society for a weed pull and restoration event. Volunteers will help remove invasive species like yellow lamium, English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, and English holly to support native plant growth. No experience is necessary—guidance and tools will be provided. Bring water, gardening gloves, and weather-appropriate clothing, and enjoy a rewarding afternoon of hands-on conservation!
Image Credit: SSISC
Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere, British Columbia, Canada
Clean Up Shorelines with Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region
Dates: Monday, April 7, 2025, 12:30–2:30 PM
Location: Qualicum Beach (Meeting at SHORE Restaurant parking lot)
Help keep your local beaches clean and contribute to vital ocean research! Join MABRRI for a marine debris survey, tracking plastic pollution trends and supporting global shoreline health initiatives. No experience? No problem! All materials and training are provided—just bring your enthusiasm. A two-hour commitment can make a lasting impact on the environment. Sign up today and be part of the solution!
Image Credit: MABRRI
Niagara Escarpment Biosphere, Ontario, Canada
Cleanup the Shoreline with Lake Huron Coastal Centre
Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: St. Christopher’s Beach, Goderich
Celebrate Earth Day by helping to keep Lake Huron pollution-free! Join this family-friendly beach clean-up and contribute to a global shoreline conservation effort. Volunteers will collect and track waste to support the Ocean Wise Shoreline Clean-up database. After the clean-up, enjoy a free beach BBQ, courtesy of Zehrs. Help reach the goal of engaging 600 volunteers to divert 1,500 lbs of plastic from the lake—register online to participate!
Become a Turtle Protector with Heart Lake Turtle Troopers
Date: May - September
Location: Ontario
Spend time outdoors while helping to protect turtles and their nesting sites! Volunteers will assist with basking surveys, monitoring wetlands, and responding to calls for nest protection. Tasks include installing nest protectors, recording data, and engaging in public education efforts. A minimum commitment of two hours per week is required, with peak activity in late spring and summer. Training is provided, and volunteers must be comfortable using mobile tracking apps.
Waterton Biosphere, Alberta, Canada
Become a Salamander Habitat Hero with Parks Canada
Date: Thursday, April 3, 2025, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta
Help protect Alberta’s long-toed salamanders, a Species at Risk, by maintaining their road-tunnel system in Waterton Lakes National Park. Volunteers will clear debris from wildlife tunnels and guardrails to ensure safe passage for salamanders and other small creatures as they migrate. This role involves light physical labour on steep slopes using hand tools. Sign up by Monday, March 31, at midnight, and note your availability for alternate mornings in case of weather changes.
Image belongs to Parks Canada.
Why Volunteer in a Biosphere?
Biosphere volunteering isn't just about giving—it's about growing. Here's what you'll gain:
🌱 Environmental Impact: Your hands-on work directly contributes to UNESCO-recognized ecosystems that are vital to Canada's biodiversity and climate resilience.
🧠 Knowledge & Skills: Learn practical conservation techniques, species identification, and field research methods from experienced professionals.
💪 Health & Wellbeing: Research shows that just two hours in nature weekly significantly improves mental and physical health—volunteering adds purpose to that time.
🤝 Community Connection: Join a community of like-minded individuals passionate about protecting our natural heritage, forming friendships beyond volunteer days.
📈 Professional Development: Add valuable experience to your resume while exploring career paths in conservation, research, and environmental management.
Every hour you contribute creates ripples of positive change—for nature, for communities, and for yourself. Whether you can spare a few hours a month or want to commit to a longer-term project, there’s an opportunity that fits your schedule.
Get involved today and be a part of something bigger—your biosphere will thank you!