Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) has a variety of volunteer opportunities for secondary and post-secondary students,  corporate opportunities,  festival events (Durham Children's Watershed Festival and Purple Woods Maple Syrup Festival) and the Conservation Area Trail Stewards (CATS) program. 

Are you passionate about nature and looking for meaningful ways to support the urban forest? Join the LEAF volunteer community as we celebrate our 30th anniversary and help us grow what comes next!

Get started by attending our interactive virtual Volunteer Orientation where you will learn how to support your local environment by getting involved with LEAF programs in Toronto, York Region and Durham Region!

We invite you to register for one of our upcoming Virtual Orientations through the links below.

      Sat, March 14 Virtual Volunteer Orientation (10:30am to 11:30am)

      Thurs, April 9 Virtual Volunteer Orientation (6:30pm to 7:30pm)

During the orientation, you will learn how to support your local environment by getting involved with LEAF programs. Together, we will explore the many volunteer opportunities available so that you can find the best fit for your skills, interested and availability. Opportunities include:

• Getting your hands dirty as a Community Tree Planting Volunteer
• Maintaining pollinator habitats as a Garden Steward
• Educating the public as an Outreach Team Member
• Capturing the fun at a tree tour as an Event Photographer
• Assisting behind the scenes as an Office Volunteer

Please note that volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.

Registrants will be provided a Zoom Meeting link to access the orientation.

The Adopt-a-Garden program is ideal for volunteers who enjoy gardening and want to make a meaningful, ongoing impact in their community.

Adopt-a-Garden volunteers are matched with one school garden, typically located in their neighbourhood, and help with basic garden care throughout the growing season. Volunteers work alongside the school’s summer care team, meaning they are not the sole individuals responsible for garden maintenance.

We Grow Food will help set up communication between volunteers and schools to support collaboration and ensure everyone is aligned throughout the season.

What the role involves

• Light garden maintenance (watering, weeding, general upkeep)
• Approximately 1-2 hours per week, on a flexible schedule
• Commitment runs from May to September/October, with flexibility if conflicts arise during a particular week

Experience & Training

• No gardening experience is required
• Training sessions will be offered on April 9 and April 11 to review expectations and basic maintenance tasks

Who this role is best for

• Adults and community members interested in gardening
• Volunteers interested in gardening and are looking for flexible, independent opportunities

Students seeking volunteer hours are encouraged to volunteer at their own school through their school’s garden lead. In special cases, students may contact the Volunteer Coordinator at wgfcoordinator@gmail.com to inquire about additional opportunities.

If you're a youth aged 14-19, this could be for you! 

Our social media is one of our primary communication platforms, and we’re looking for youth interested in helping us to grow it with fun, relevant, and informational content about food and sustainability! You will be able to co-lead our Instagram page (@youthinfoodsystems) by conducting research, creating posts, and (optional) interacting with our audience.

Time commitment: 6 month minimum, 2+ post designs / month on a self-selected schedule

All volunteers will join our Discord server and have opportunities to attend virtual team meetings and workshops.

If you are a youth aged 14-19, this could be for you!

By joining our Youth in Food Systems team, you can learn about and explore food systems while creating content for empowering and inspiring your peers to do the same.

Do you have a way with words, or just an interest in writing? Or perhaps you enjoy providing thoughtful feedback? Or have a knack for design? 

Are you eager to learn about and share knowledge about food systems and sustainability with your peers?

Join the youth-led blog as a Writer, Editor, Designer, or Publisher!

WRITERS - Do you have a way with words, or just an interest in writing? We have an opportunity for you to write about food- and sustainability-related topics for the blog! It’s written for young people, by young people, to educate and inspire your peers. 

EDITORS - The essence of the blog lies in having high quality content, and that shouldn’t fall solely on the blog writers. Our editors are responsible for reviewing each post and providing suggestions and feedback before the posts get published. 

DESIGNERS & PUBLISHERS - The aesthetic of the blog is important for capturing readers’ attention. This means having a featured image for each and every blog post created; and publishing each post in a way that is user friendly and appealing. If you have a creative eye and want to produce final pieces that are inviting, this role could be the perfect fit for you!  

Time commitment: 6 month minimum, 2+ contributions / month on a self-selected schedule

Check out the blog here: https://seeds.ca/schoolfoodgardens/blog/

All activities take place virtually. You can expect to interact with staff and youth leaders regularly, and your fellow team members at our quarterly virtual gatherings & on Discord.

·       Interacting with the public while providing great customer service. Merchandising and staging of furniture donations.

·       eCommerce: product research for price and key selling points, measure dimensions, photography, and minor touch up of items to support our new online platform.

·       Tasks may include customer service, product display, pricing, assembly, and repair

• Due to the physical nature of some of the tasks required, ReStore volunteers may be asked to lift heavy objects (bathroom fixtures, windows, doors, etc.)
• Assembling furniture and some restoration of various donations.
• Able to lift 10-20 pounds and be on your feet for several hours at a time.
• Volunteers are required to wear CSA approved green label safety shoes, some at store to borrow for volunteer shift

·       Come with a willingness to learn from experienced volunteers and staff and to work as part of a team. A positive attitude, enthusiasm, flexibility, and a sense of humour is always key! Tasks are not always glamorous, so be prepared to do a variety of things.

• Assisting in preparation of new garden beds
• Planting seeds & seedlings
• Assisting or facilitating community teaching events & student workshops
• Helping with crafts and interactive activities
• Occasional maintenance such as watering or tidying
• Some moving of soil (Volunteers will be notified in advance, and participation will be optional)

• Assist with event planning, client support, data entry, fundraising activities, etc.

• Collaborate with staff and other volunteers to achieve project goals

• Attend and support community outreach programs or events

• Help with administrative tasks as needed (e.g., phone calls, emails, filing)

• Represent Terra Nova in a positive and professional manner

• Maintain confidentiality and respect the privacy of individuals and families served by the organization

• Participate in volunteer meetings, training, or orientation sessions as required

Organize and deliver tours at WindReach Farm * wagon ride, farm and/or stable tour * sensory trail, wool demonstrations and more

Animal care * lead animals to pasture, feeding, watering * groom animals * keep all buckets and dishes clean 
 
Barn work * muck out stalls, replace straw, dump wheelbarrows * keep equipment clean and sweep barn floors 
 
Administration * maintain daily logs and animal care records * communicate with Barn Manager about concerns * advocate for Pegasus to attract sponsors and volunteers