Volunteer in Your Biosphere: March Edition
Welcome to our monthly blog post: “Volunteer in Your Biosphere”!
Each month we will compile the current volunteer opportunities from Biospheres Worldwide and place them all in one place for easy viewing. From Amphibian Monitoring to Invasive Species Removal - there’s something for everyone! This March Edition we have volunteer opportunities that can take place in any Biosphere as well as specific opportunities in the Beaver Hills, Clayoquot Sound, Georgian Bay, Howe Sound, Redberry Lake, Riding Mountain, and Southwest Nova Biospheres.
📩 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
Looking for a cozy way to support bird conservation this winter? Join Project FeederWatch with Birds Canada! Simply count the birds that visit your yard or balcony and report your observations. Your data helps track bird populations and supports vital conservation efforts. No experience or feeder is necessary—everyone is welcome!
Sign up today to enjoy birdwatching from the comfort of your home while making a meaningful contribution to science.
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
Monitor Lakes with Alberta Lake Management Society
Dates: Ongoing
Location: Lakes across Alberta
Join LakeWatch, a volunteer-driven program tracking Alberta’s lake health since 1996. If you have access to a watercraft, you can help collect important water quality data, including clarity, temperature, and invasive species. Volunteers sample their lake four times over a period of time, contributing to reports that support conservation and community education. It’s a great way to connect with nature while making a real impact!
Amphibian Monitoring with Edmonton & Area Land Trust
Dates: April – June 2025
Location: Wetlands near Edmonton
Love wildlife and the great outdoors? Help protect Alberta’s frogs, toads, and salamanders by volunteering for an amphibian monitoring program! Visit local wetlands three times between April and June, conducting nighttime audio surveys to identify frog calls and daytime visual surveys to spot amphibians in different life stages. Your data helps track population trends and guides conservation efforts.
No experience? No problem! Training is provided, and applications are open January–March. Visit the EALT website to learn more and sign up!
Clayoquot Sound Biosphere, British Columbia, Canada
Volunteer at the Ucluelet Aquarium
Dates: March and beyond
Location: Ucluelet, Vancouver Island
Love marine life? Join the Ucluelet Aquarium’s volunteer team and gain hands-on experience in educational interpretation, outreach events, animal care, and more! This year, they’re launching a new formal training program, helping you build skills, confidence, and deeper connections with your community and local marine species.
Whether you're earning volunteer hours or just love the ocean, this is a fantastic way to get involved! Email Anna at anna@uclueletaquarium.org with the subject line “Volunteer Program” to apply.
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!
Georgian Bay Biosphere, Ontario, Canada
Become a Marsh Monitor with Birds Canada
Dates: March
Location: Great Lakes in Ontario
Help track the health of wetlands by monitoring birds and amphibians in the Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program. Wetlands store carbon, improve water quality, and support countless species, but habitat loss threatens their future. Volunteers survey local marshes, recording wildlife activity to inform conservation efforts. Whether listening for frog calls at night or spotting wetland birds at dawn, your observations provide critical data for protecting these vital ecosystems. No experience needed—just curiosity and commitment!
Howe Sound Biosphere, British Columbia, Canada
Volunteer at the Squamish Seed Swap & Library Event
Dates: March 1, 2025
Location: Howe Sound Secondary School, Squamish
Join a vibrant community of gardeners, seed savers, and sustainability enthusiasts at the annual Squamish Seed Swap & Library Event! Volunteers help at the Seed Swap, Seed Library, Kids’ Activities, and Greeting Tables, making this a fun and engaging experience for all. No experience needed—just a passion for community and sustainability!
Interested? Contact the Squamish CAN Seed Library Manager Marie-Ève at marie-eve@squamishcan.net to sign up!
Forage Fish Sampling with the SCCA
Dates: March 3 & 4
Location: Sunshine Coast, British Columbia
This project focuses on monitoring the spawning habitats of forage fish like surf smelt and Pacific sand lance—key species that sustain the local food web, from seabirds to larger fish like salmon. Volunteers will help collect and process beach sediment samples to identify potential spawning sites. Training and equipment are provided.
Email diannesanford@gmail.com for more information or to sign up.
Photo Credit: Will Duguid
Volunteer for the Bird Count with Nature Squamish
Dates: Sunday, March 9 at 8am
Location: Squamish, British Columbia
“Visit the Estuary’s hidden places, through all seasons, tides, and weather. Learn to identify birds by sight and sound. No experience necessary!”, Squamish Environment Society.
Nature Squamish conduct monthly bird counts in the estuary in order to track bird populations. These community-initiated counts began in 1991 and have resulted in one of the most detailed compilations in the province. The data is also used to inform land-use planning processes, and promote habitat protection.
Ivy Removal with the Sunshine Coast Streamkeepers
Dates: Saturday, March 15, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Roberts Creek Estuary
Get your hands dirty for conservation! Help restore vital salmon habitat by planting native species and removing invasive ivy at Roberts Creek Estuary. This is a great way to connect with nature, meet like-minded volunteers, and make a real impact on local wildlife.
Questions? Email scstreamkeepers@gmail.com. Bring a friend and spread the word!
Image Credit: Sunshine Coast Streamkeepers
Monitor Western Toads
with Nature Squamish
Dates: March - September
Location: Alice Lake Provincial Park
Western Toads are federally listed as a species of special concern due to declining numbers. Vulnerable during tadpole and "toadlet" stages, Western Toad populations face threats from human and dog activities near shorelines and trails.
Volunteers will conduct surveys by foot and by kayak in and around the trails at Alice Lake Provincial Park.
Image Credit: Western Toad by Kyle Kulas for Nature Squamish
Redberry Lake Biosphere, Saskatchewan, Canada
Invasive Species Removal with Meewasin
Dates: Saturday, March 16, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Location: Saskatoon Natural Grasslands
Join Meewasin in restoring native prairie habitat by removing invasive European Buckthorn! This fast-growing shrub threatens biodiversity, and with your help, we can make a difference. No experience needed—just a willingness to lend a hand!
Questions? Email volunteer@meewasin.com or call 306-291-3015. Register to attend!
Image Credit: Meewasin Valley Authority
Riding Mountain Biosphere, Manitoba, Canada
Listening for Owls with Birds Canada
Dates: End of March - Early April
Location: Various locations in Manitoba
Step into the quiet of the night and help monitor owl populations with the Nocturnal Owl Survey! This annual citizen science program tracks owl species across Manitoba. Volunteers follow designated routes, stopping to listen for owl calls in the darkness. Your observations contribute to vital long-term data on these elusive birds. If you love nocturnal adventures and want to support conservation, this is your chance to make a difference—one hoot at a time!
Southwest Nova Biosphere, Nova Scotia, Canada
Clean up the Shoreline with Scotian Shores
Dates: March 30
Location: Grosses Coques in Nova Scotia
Winter is the perfect time to tackle shoreline cleanups, with fewer nesting and migrating birds around! Join Scotian Shores for a hands-on effort to remove plastic pollution from Nova Scotia’s beaches. With over 1.5 million pounds of debris removed since 2020, every cleanup helps protect marine life and keep our coastlines healthy. Reusable bags and gloves are provided—just bring warm layers and a passion for the ocean!
Image Credit: Scotian Shores