Join a community of volunteers dedicated to supporting Stanley Park’s ecosystems, educating the broader community, and developing a deeper connection to the world around us. There are many ways to get involved—read on to find the right opportunity for you!
Why Volunteer?
Volunteering is a meaningful way to build a connection with the lands and waters of Stanley Park, which are the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. By getting involved, you can support ecological stewardship and environmental education.
Along the way, you'll receive training, develop new skills, and gain practical experience. Plus, enjoy twice-yearly appreciation events and earn a reference letter after 25 volunteer hours.
Gain confidence, knowledge, and hands-on experience that supports your personal, academic, and career goals. Volunteering helps build skills in leadership, communication, teamwork, and environmental stewardship.
Your contributions matter! Celebrate your efforts at our twice-yearly volunteer appreciation events and earn recognition awards. After 25 volunteer hours, you can request a reference letter to acknowledge your impact.
Receive program-specific training and opportunities to explore Stanley Park’s ecology, natural history, and conservation efforts. Learn directly from experienced environmental educators and be part of meaningful stewardship initiatives.
Who Can Volunteer?
Stanley Park Ecology welcomes volunteers of all backgrounds, identities, and experience levels. We recognize that not everyone has equal access to outdoor spaces and are committed to creating inclusive and supportive volunteer opportunities. With various seasonal roles, you can get involved based on your interests, abilities, and availability. If you have any questions about finding the right fit, feel free to reach out—we're here to help!
- Most roles are for volunteers 16+ (see FAQs or contact us for youth opportunities).
- Volunteer opportunities are best suited for individuals or small informal groups (like friends or family members signing up together). For larger groups, please see our private booking options.
Registering as a Volunteer
Step 1: Explore Opportunities
Browse our volunteer roles to find the best fit for your interests and availability. Each role description includes details about the program, time commitment, and any application steps.
Step 2: Apply or Stay Connected
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If applications are open, follow the instructions in the role description to apply. A team member will be in touch with next steps once your application has been reviewed.
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If applications are currently closed or you’re not sure which role is the right fit, please fill out our Volunteer Interest Form. We’ll keep your information on file and reach out when opportunities reopen. You can also use this form to share your skills and interests.
Note for Current Volunteers:
If you’re already volunteering with us and would like to try out a new program or role, just email the Volunteer Coordinator directly to explore your options.
Find the Program for You!
Current Opportunities
Media Database Volunteer
EcoStewards
DIRT (Dedicated Invasive Removal Team)
Conservation
Help protect and restore Stanley Park’s ecosystems by contributing to hands-on stewardship and wildlife monitoring. Conservation volunteers play a vital role in preserving the park’s biodiversity and ensuring its long-term health.
Dedicated Invasive Removal Team (DIRT)
Contribute to the stewardship of Stanley Park with a hands-on invasive plant management program. DIRT is scheduled on Monday, Wednesday & Friday. Applications open.
Habitat & Wildlife Monitoring
Head into the Park with our Conservation Technician to collect ecological data to monitor long-term trends and provide species baseline data.
Co-Existing with Coyotes
Help educate and engage the public on urban coyote encounters, or patrol Stanley Park on foot to maintain appropriate interactions between humans and wildlife. Applications open from April-June.
Education
Connect people to nature through fun, interactive, and educational experiences. As an volunteer, you’ll inspire curiosity about Stanley Park’s unique ecology while fostering a deeper connection to the natural world.
Nature House Host
Get involved at the Nature House on Lost Lagoon and educate visitors about the ecology of Stanley Park. Program open year round, with summer role open for applications in April.
EcoRangers
During July and August, answer visitors’ questions about local animals and plants as you spend your day walking around Stanley Park with fellow EcoRangers. Applications open in April and May.
EcoCamp Assistant
Connect the youth with the nature by organizing camps for children while gaining experience working with children. Camps run during spring and summer break. Applications open in February and May.
Greater Vancouver Bird Celebration (GVBC)
Celebrate over 250 bird species in the Lower Mainland through the delivery of various Stanley Park Ecology events. Applications open in February-March.
Other Volunteering Opportunities
Beyond getting your hands dirty with DIRT and connecting with visitors at the Nature House, there are many ways to get involved in Stanley Park Ecology! Read more about our volunteer opportunities outside of education, conservation and research below.
Photography Volunteer
Hone your photography and videography skills while contributing to meaningful conservation efforts, with the opportunity to have your media featured in Stanley Park Ecology communications. Applications ongoing for experienced photographers.
Looking for a Group Experience?
Whether you're a business, school, nonprofit, or community group, we’d love to host you for a private stewardship event or guided ecology experience in Stanley Park! While our volunteer opportunities are designed for individuals, our private group programs offer a customized, interactive experience tailored to your group’s interests, schedule, and accessibility needs.
Learn more about our Private Ecology Tours or reach out for more information on our Private Stewardship Events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many of our programs welcome volunteers under the age of 18.
16-17 years: Able to volunteer with EcoStewards, DIRT, Nature House Hosts, EcoRangers and EcoCamp Assistants. We require a parent or guardian to sign the youth consent form before participating.
12-16 years: Able to volunteer with EcoStewards. Adult supervision required throughout the activity and the youth consent form must be signed by a parent or guardian. Stanley Park Ecology also offers field trip opportunities for Pre K to Grade 12.
Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator to learn more!
Better Impact is our volunteer management platform- it’s your home base for signing up for shifts, logging your hours, giving feedback, and more! For support getting started with Better Impact, we’ve created this helpful guide.
Given the field-based nature of many of our programs, many volunteer opportunities with SPES tend to be seasonal. Some programs, such as DIRT, are open for applications year-round, whereas others require you to apply during a specific recruitment period. Recruitment windows are included in each volunteer posting, which you can find under the “Find the Program for You” tab. You can also reach out to the volunteer coordinator directly for more details!
Absolutely! If you’re a corporate, school, nonprofit, or community group interested in a private stewardship event or guided ecology experience, we’d love to host you! Our group options are private, customizable programs designed to fit your group’s interests, schedule, and accessibility needs.
🔹 Private Stewardship Events: Hands-on habitat restoration, perfect for team-building
🔹 Private Ecology Tours: Guided nature walks tailored to your group’s interests
To learn more or book a private experience, please contact vols@stanleyparkecology.ca or visit our [Private Bookings Page].
Our volunteer programs are designed for individuals looking to get involved in ongoing conservation efforts. As group bookings require dedicated staff and materials, we arrange these as private programs. Please note that these programs include a fee, which helps support conservation and education efforts in Stanley Park.
Absolutely! Many of our volunteers participate in multiple programs- your level of involvement with Stanley Park Ecology is up to your own availability and interest! When you register as a volunteer, you can indicate all the programs you are interested in. You can also reach out to the volunteer coordinator to express interest in other volunteer opportunities or to discuss which program may be the best fit for you.
Recommended clothing and supplies varies depending on the volunteer program. As a volunteer, you will receive an email in advance of your shift or in advance of training, letting you know what to expect and what to prepare. Generally, we recommend wearing comfortable, closed-toe footwear and dressing for outdoor conditions, including layers. Stanley Park Ecology aims to address barriers in outdoor spaces by providing most of the equipment needed. If a warm or dry layer is a barrier for you, we may have extra layers on hand- feel free to contact us for more details.
Parking is available directly beside the Stanley Park Pavilion, and in many locations throughout Stanley Park. EasyPark manages all parking lots in Stanley Park, which has no affiliation with Stanley Park Ecology.
Due to this, we unfortunately are unable to offer free or subsidized parking to our volunteers. Find out more about accessing Stanley Park by transit, bike or on foot here.
Are you interested in contributing to our work in another way? Do you have an idea for a project, or skills you'd like to offer?
We'd love to hear from you! Get in touch and share how you’d like to volunteer with Stanley Park Ecology.
Our Volunteer Sponsors & Partners
