volunteer with us

how it works

DECIDE ON YOUR COMMITMENT

–> Trial day: 4 hrs (one-time for “first timers”)
–> Weekend: 4-6 hrs (Sat and/or Sun)
–> Seasonal: 3-6 months (minimum)
–> Continuous: 1year (or more)

CHOOSE BETWEEN ON-SITE or OFF-SITE

–> On-site: Summerland facility

–> Off-site: Anywhere you live

We have wonderful people already helping from Penticton, Vernon, Kelowna, Vancouver, Creston – no need to actually be located in Summerland.

ON-SITE

Are you a “Jack/Jill” of all trades?

We always need help with: enclosure construction or improvements
(painting, hand mowing, digging, yard work, fencing, woodwork etc.)

OFF-SITE

1) “Ongoing” transport volunteer:
Must have own vehicle to pick-up supplies (and once you’re trained for this: patients from veterinary partners).
(min. commitment 1 season)

2) Permanent volunteer co-ordinator:
Liaise with our board directors. Are you a communicator extraordinaire?
(min. commitment 1 year, position filled for 2024)

3) Environmental educator:
Liaise with Executive Director and help our volunteer team to reply to public inquiries about common wildlife questions. Can be by email or phone.
(min. commitment 1 year for 1 set day/week)

4) Fundraising volunteer:
Help us with event activities (incl. annual “Wild About Spring” auction and film festival), grant writing and presentations to like-minded organisations (project grants, operational grants etc.)

our current needs

Fundraising – it takes a village! Timing is flexible. You can work from your home-base and we meet online on a monthly basis. Join our creative fundraising committee to find new ways of raising funds for our society and help us improve our care-facility and education programs! This can include searching and applying for grants offered by private foundations (most grant cycles are in the spring, summer or fall). Or help us plan and execute events (such as our annual “Wild About Spring” auction). Fundraising experience is an asset, but not required. Creativity is a must! Attention to detail comes with practice – and practice you will get plenty of !

Public Education – Do you enjoy educating members of our communities about respecting wildlife? Are you a retired educator and would like to teach with us? We are replying to hundreds of public inquiries every summer season about common wildlife related questions. We are looking for volunteers who would like to assist us in expanding and delivering meaningful content on wildlife coexistence. You would be working under direct supervision of our Executive Director. Our team of volunteers is proud to share expert advice with the public, lend a hand once a week – so we can continue to respond in a timely fashion 7days/week.

Maintenance – Are you a professional trades person or an experienced “Jack-of-all-trades”? Jill-of-all-trades most welcome, too! Are you willing to volunteer in construction & maintenance of our wildlife care facility in Summerland? Time commitment will vary with projects, but if you can commit 4-6 hrs per week or month (e.g. for a set day of the week) please contact us. We will add you to our “work-bee” project list and you’ll have the opportunity to move into a weekly commitment after. You will be contacted first for upcoming construction/maintenance projects.

Transport – Not ready to commit weekly, but still would like to help in the summer season? We always need transport volunteers (mainly for building supplies and donation items pick-up) all up and down the valley and neighbouring communities, from Penticton to Salmon Arm. Availability of your own truck, trailer, van or any other type of vehicle is required (for insurance purposes).

Retired lawyer or bookkeeper? We are in need of a non-profit sector lawyer or law student as well as a bookkeeper willing to volunteer these professional services. Work under supervision of our treasurer and help us keep our numbers straight! Time commitment will vary but if you are willing to offer help a few hours a month, please contact us.