Nature Centre and Environmental Education

Surrey's Eco Ranger volunteers provide park visitors with more meaningful park experiences by providing nature education and helping encourage appropriate park use. Surrey has many beautiful natural area parks that provide homes and food for a great diversity of wildlife. Eco Rangers make others aware of the importance and value of the natural areas in their own community and the wildlife that need them for survival. Join the team of Eco Rangers that care for Surrey's 'green gems'!

What’s in it for you?

• Learn more about local plant and wildlife ecology
• Complete your graduation volunteer requirement while having fun!
• Gain valuable public speaking skills in a supportive environment
• Get to know your community a little better and meet new people

Requirements:

• 16+ years old
• Submit two references, obtain a criminal record check and successfully complete an interview
• Be approachable, friendly, professional, and comfortable speaking with the public
• Ability to take initiative and direction as required

Time Commitment: Minimum two 2-hour shifts per week

Location: Green Timbers Urban Forest, Blackie Spit Park, Cougar Creek Park, Surrey Lake Park, and more.

Volunteer at community events such as National Tree Day, Halloween in the Forest and Greening Green Timbers!!

We have a wide variety of roles such as: set up and take down crews, mascots, arts and crafts assistants, face painters, event photographers, and many more.

What’s in it for you?

• Complete your graduation volunteer requirement while having fun!
• Gain valuable professional skills in a supportive environment
• Get to know your community a little better and meet new people

Requirements:

• 14+ years old
• Be an approved Surrey Nature Centre volunteer (have submitted two references, obtained a criminal record check and successfully completed and interview)
• Enjoy community events and comfortable speaking with the public
• Be approachable, friendly, and professional
• Ability to take initiative and direction as required

Time Commitment:4-8 hrs on event date

Location: Various parks in Surrey

Once accepted as a Special Events Assistant you will receive an E-mail every time we have an event and are looking for volunteers. Stay tuned for upcoming events!

Are you a natural leader or would like to gain leadership skills? Become a Stewardship Assistant and help facilitate activities that improve our natural areas!

Stewardship activities could include:

• participating in the Releaf program by teaching people to plant trees,
• helping out at Friends of the Forest Work Parties to teach the public how to remove invasive plants,
• working with youth in the Surrey Youth Stewardship Squad on park improvements such as park clean-ups
• helping with set up and clean up of these events

What’s in it for you?

• Gain leadership and professional skills in a supportive environment
• Get to know your community a little better and meet new people
• Spend time outdoors while doing something good for the community
• Networking with City staff and other like minded individuals

Requirements:

• 18+ years old
• Be an approved Environmental Programs volunteer (have submitted two references, obtained a criminal record check and successfully completed and interview)
• Comfortable in public speaking
• Interest in the environment
• Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions
• Be approachable, friendly, and professional
• Ability to take initiative and direction as required
  

Time Commitment:4-8 hrs on event date

Location: Various parks in Surrey

Once accepted as a Stewardship Assistant you will receive an E-mail every time we have an event and are looking for volunteers. Stay tuned for upcoming events!

If you enjoy interacting with children and nature, then we want to hear from you! Help Instructors coordinate nature games, crafts, outings and other activities. The Surrey Nature Centre offers Day Camps during summer, winter and spring breaks.

What’s in it for you?

• Gain valuable professional skills in a supportive environment
• Complete your graduation volunteer requirement while having fun!
• Get to know your community a little better and meet new people
• Receive a reference letter (upon request) if you volunteer for more that 30 hrs
• Networking with City staff and other like minded individuals

Requirements:

• 14+ years old
• Be an approved Surrey Nature Centre volunteer (have submitted two references, obtained a criminal record check and successfully completed and interview)
• Complete a Surrey Nature Centre orientation (once approved)
• Comfortable interacting with children and comfortable speaking with the public
• Be approachable, friendly, and professional
• Ability to take initiative and direction as required

Time Commitment:One full week (M-F 8:30 to 3:00 pm) during summer camps (June-August)

Location: Surrey Nature Centre

Once accepted as a Day Camp Assistant you will receive an E-mail every time we have an event and are looking for volunteers. Stay tuned for upcoming events!

Habitat Restoration Assistants Duties:

• Provide quality living space for native wildlife
• Remove invasive species
• Clean up yard waste & refuse
• Deactivate unsanctioned trails
• Plant native plant species

Time Commitment: Ranges from 1 shift/week to 2 shifts/month. Shifts will generally be from 7:30am to 3:00pm during July and August.

Become a Tree Team Member to help keep Surrey’s trees green and healthy. Help out by canvassing your neighbourhood to let your neighbours know what they can do to keep their boulevard and backyard trees thriving. Distribute information about the importance of watering and making a tree well, and let them know that City of Surrey arbourists will take care of the pruning of their boulevard trees.

Come out to our special events to teach the public about the importance of our urban forests and how to better care for our trees.

No prior knowledge of tree care is required and training will be provided.

Tree Team members must be 16 years or older and complete the following steps of the volunteer application process:

• Provide two references
• Successfully complete an RCMP criminal record check (free for volunteers)
• Successfully complete an interview
• Attend a volunteer orientation

Join us to complete a high school or post secondary school work experience term and gain experience in environmental restoration, working with children and teaching others about nature. Opportunity details vary depending on student’s needs and seasonal availability of opportunities.