There are many ways you can contribute to the work we do. The most tangible way to get involved is to sign up for one of our volunteer programs. Our volunteers assist with protecting species at risk, monitoring our natural areas, carrying out stewardship activities, and hosting special events. Whether you prefer a walk on the beach, a hike through the woods, digging up invasive species, or learning more about the natural history of our island, we have a volunteer opportunity for you!
INT’s Piping Plover Guardian Program was initiated in the early 1990s by a handful of concerned volunteers. Since 1995, INT has been coordinating the program which monitors and protects piping plovers on provincial beaches. Piping Plover Guardians protect Endangered piping plovers from human disturbances, educate beach users on the plight of piping plovers, and monitor nests on the north and southeastern shores of PEI in the spring and summer. Volunteers choose a plover beach they wish to monitor – often this is a beach they live close to or visit frequently. Volunteers visit their beach on a daily-weekly basis and report their observations back to us. Volunteer Plover Guardians are given training on how to identify piping plovers and other shorebirds, how to minimize disturbance to the birds while monitoring, and how to provide an educational opportunity to beach users in a non-confrontational way. Want to learn more about our Piping Plover Guardian volunteer program? Contact Vicki at plover@islandnaturetrust.ca.
Conservation Guardian volunteers are our eyes and ears on the ground in our natural areas. With a small staff and 46 natural areas across PEI, it can be challenging for us to monitor all of our properties on a regular basis. That’s why we rely on local volunteers to monitor our properties and report their observations to us. Conservation Guardians report on human use and disturbance of natural areas, wildlife sightings, and rare and invasive species observed. Regular training events are offered to our volunteers to help them build and improve their plant and wildlife identification and other outdoor skills. Training events typically happen during the summer months when we can gather outside. Conservation Guardian volunteers are asked to commit to monitoring their natural area at least once per year but are encouraged to visit as often as they wish. Want to learn more about our Conservation Guardian volunteer program? Contact Amy Frost-Wicks at land@islandnaturetrust.ca.
Not interested in signing up for a specific program but want to be kept in the loop on news and upcoming stewardship events? Join our news and events email list by contacting Amy at land@islandnaturetrust.ca.
