Every one of us has the power to make our environment a better place. Many individual actions can accumulate to have an astounding impact for positive change. The success of our Society depends on contributions by volunteers. Opportunities exist to: help run the Society, organize and participate in programs, and work on special projects. We are immensely grateful to all the many volunteers who have contributed to the Society since 1982.
If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the Volunteer Inquiry Form.
EagleWatch
Regular Opportunities (November through January ):
- EagleWatch Volunteers – conduct twice daily eagle counts from early November through early January.
You choose the shifts you want and each shift takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour. There is a mix of returning and new volunteers. New recruits are always welcome. Families are welcome. No experience is necessary. There are also opportunities to join the team that organizes EagleWatch.
Contact our EagleWatch Coordinator for more information and to Volunteer.
Annual Brackendale Winter Eagle Count
- Annual Brackendale Winter Eagle Count, early January: conducted by trained volunteers and contributes important data regarding Bald Eagle populations in the Pacific Northwest.
Contact our Volunteer Coordinator if you would like to participate.
Western Toad Monitoring Project
Western Toad Monitoring volunteers conduct surveys at Alice Lake Provincial Park, from late March through August. You choose the shifts that you want and each shift takes between 2 to 4 hours, depending on the type of survey. We ask that volunteers commit to doing a minimum of three shifts. Training is provided mid-late March for breeding surveys and then again in May-June for migration surveys. New recruits welcome.
- Surveys are best suited to adults or mature teens and some degree of fitness and mobility is required (see survey descriptions below). Please note that there is no public transportation to the park, so participants will need a vehicle or bike, or arrange to carpool with another volunteer.
- Breeding surveys take place in March-April. Surveys are done mid-late afternoon, during the warmest part of the day, and take approximately 4 hours. Pairs of surveyors count the number of single toads and mating pairs, with one person counting from shore and the other from a kayak. The surveys require some degree of fitness and mobility to hike to the survey sites, walk on uneven, slippery ground, carry the kayak to the launch site, and get into and out of the kayak (participants can choose to survey from shore only if they wish).
- Tadpole surveys take place in June-July. Surveys are done mid-late afternoon, during the warmest part of the day, and take approximately 2 hours. Pairs of surveyors record the number of tadpoles observed and their stage of development. The surveys require some degree of fitness and mobility to hike up to the survey site, walk on uneven ground, carry the kayak to the launch site, and get into and out of the kayak (participants can choose to survey from shore only if they wish).
- Migration surveys take place in July-August. Surveys are done early morning or at dusk and take approximately 2 hours. Surveyors must be comfortable walking on trails in low light conditions. Pairs of surveyors walk the trails surrounding the breeding site and record the number of live and dead toadlets (baby toads) observed in each trail segment.
Contact toads@squamishenvironment.ca if you would like to participate.
Squamish Birders
Squamish Birders organize a monthly survey in the Squamish Estuary. The counts started in 1991 and provide one of the longest data sets in British Columbia. New and experienced birders are welcome. The birders group also participates in the Christmas Bird Count, the Breeding Bird Surveys, and other counts.
Current Opportunties (ongoing):
- Join the monthly bird counts. Drop-in or Contact Squamish Birders for more information.
- Sign-up to participate in the Christmas Bird Count. Contact Christmas Bird Count Coordinator
Events Team
The Events Team represents SES at a variety of local events. Team members set up our display and then work short shifts during the event. They provide information on programs, encourage people to join, and engage the public in conversation about all things natural and environmental.
If you are able to spend a couple of hours one or more times during the year to help represent SES to our community, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator.
Reviewing BC Timber Sales Proposals
Periodically, BC Timber Sales (BCTS) invites SES to review proposals such as blocks to be harvested or changes to old growth forest management areas. These review requests have a time limit. Anyone interested in conducting or helping conduct such reviews is welcome to get involved.
The most recent request was for questions and comments by March 31, 2022 on changes to the current operating plan for timber harvest in the Sea to Sky corridor. Please see our posting where documents and maps are available.
Work Parties
If you have a couple of hours to spare, then a work party is a chance to get outside, network, and have some fun. Activities include sign and trail maintenance, invasive species removal, estuary clean-ups and other projects as inspiration strikes. Check our Facebook page for upcoming events.
Other Programs
New programs are added as people step forward to help organize them. If you are interested in: youth programs, walks and talks, events/movie nights, please contact us. If you have another area of interest you want to work on, please contact us.
Photo by Judith Holm, SES tent at Canada Day 150, July 1 2017