Ways To Get Involved | Bruce Trail Conservancy

Ways to Get Involved

Volunteer With Us

A community of volunteers have been the driving force behind the Bruce Trail for over 60 years. Today, more than 1,500 volunteers donate their time and talents to the Bruce Trail Conservancy and its nine Bruce Trail Clubs. Without this remarkable year-round support, the Bruce Trail Conservancy and the Bruce Trail would not be what it is today. They strive to keep it going today, and they’re looking for you to join them as the next generation of volunteers.

Why Become a Volunteer with the Bruce Trail Conservancy and its Bruce Trail Clubs?

Volunteering with the Bruce Trail Conservancy and its Bruce Trail Clubs is a way to get involved with and give back to the community helping to conserve and care for the Niagara Escarpment – home of the Bruce Trail. You’ll help secure the Bruce Trail, share and learn skills, be a part of a team, and develop lasting friendships.

There are roles for people outdoors and inside, for people who love manual labor and those who are excellent organizers. Whether you’ve had years of experience or you’re brand new to volunteering, we look forward to helping you have the experience of a lifetime on the Trail of a lifetime.

Volunteer Spotlight

John Harrison

“When I retired, I wanted to volunteer with an organization that was beneficial to people and the environment. The Bruce Trail Conservancy was an obvious choice. That was over 13 years ago. I still very much like the staff and volunteers I meet, and the work I do, both at the BTC office and on the Trail. I am proud to be part of the rich volunteer history of the Bruce Trail Conservancy and its work to protect, conserve, and restore a significant corridor of the Niagara Escarpment.”
– BTC Office & Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club volunteer

Ian Grindall

“I started volunteering for the BTC in the office and on trail maintenance right after I retired in 2019. It has been the perfect counterbalance to the high stress job I left behind, and reminded me that an office can and should be a happy place to work and still achieve the objectives of the organisation. The staff are always welcoming, always express their thanks for the help of volunteers, and being in the head office I get to learn something from time to time about the BTC that I wouldn’t otherwise know! When I set out to volunteer, both on the trail and in the office, I never anticipated that I would get so much back in return, in terms of satisfaction, fulfilment and friendship.”
– BTC Office & Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club volunteer

Alina Lin

Alina Lin

“I enjoy being able to hike or work with like-minded people. I get to connect with people from different cultures and backgrounds, learn new skills and knowledge, and share my experiences. I moved to Canada in 2009 and more than half of my friend circle and some best friends were made through volunteering! I also feel a sense of accomplishment seeing my volunteering efforts make a difference.”
– Toronto Bruce Trail Club volunteer

Bruce Trail Clubs

The Bruce Trail Conservancy has nine Bruce Trail Clubs, each corresponding to a section of the Bruce Trail. Each Club is entirely volunteer run. Volunteers are responsible for most of the day-to-day work keeping the Bruce Trail open. In addition to trail maintenance, club volunteers build and repair boardwalks and other structures, steward Bruce Trail Conservancy protected natural areas, monitor and manage rare plants and invasive species, develop management plans for their sections, and much, much more.

Find Your Local Bruce Trail Club

Choosing a Bruce Trail Club

Volunteer Roles and Descriptions

The Bruce Trail Conservancy is governed by a board of directors and supported by strategic and operational committees.
Learn more about our board of directors

The Bruce Trail Conservancy relies on its dedicated office volunteers and our archivist. Both roles spend regular time in the office helping with many different tasks, including:

BTC Office Volunteer

Help out in the office in a variety of capacities, stuffing envelopes, data entry, answering phones and serving customers in the store.

BTC Archivist

Maintain BTC items of historic importance.

BTC Outreach Event Volunteer

Promote the Bruce Trail Conservancy, encourage supporters, and sell memberships and merchandise, by staffing an information booth at a community event, trade show (like the Outdoor Adventure Show), or BTC-hosted event.

Bruce Trail Day Volunteer

Support the biggest outreach event of the year. Help with planning, or promotion, or day-of-event support (like set up, tear down, hike or activity leading, parking assistance, etc.) Bruce Trail Day is held on the first Sunday in October. Planning starts early in the year.

Volunteers maintain the Bruce Trail and its side trails keeping the footpath safe, navigable, and enjoyable. From painting blazes, to building structures, to monitoring trail conditions, volunteers are needed every step of the way. Volunteer positions include:

Trail director: Responsible for the planning, maintenance and overall quality of the Bruce Trail in the Bruce Trail Club’s section, and for the overall organization and operation of the Club’s trail work.
Trail captain: Maintains the Bruce Trail and side trails in a designated section of the Bruce Trail.
Trail maintenance volunteer: Helps with construction and repairs on the Bruce Trail.

Collect important biodiversity data as you hike! Our citizen scientists are helping to develop a map of flora and fauna along the Bruce Trail. Whether you are a trained botanist, mycologist or ornithologist, or just interested in learning more about the different species calling the Bruce Trail home, the Bruce Trail Conservancy can use your help. Using the free powerful online tool iNaturalist, you can collect much needed data while you are out hiking the Bruce Trail. Learn more about our iNaturalist Bruce Trail Conservancy Project

Each of our nine Bruce Trail Clubs offer an extensive program of organized hikes, throughout the year, for members and non-members. Trained volunteers are responsible for leading and organizing these hikes – sharing with others the wonders of the Bruce Trail and the Niagara Escarpment.

Volunteers are a vital component of our land stewardship program. Volunteer land stewards actively care for each of the properties that are owned or managed by the Bruce Trail Conservancy. As the Bruce Trail Conservancy acquires more land in our efforts to establish a conservation corridor containing the Bruce Trail, our land stewardship needs grow. Learn more about our land stewardship program. Land stewardship positions include:

Land steward director: Each Bruce Trail Club has one land steward director to coordinate the work of the land stewards in that Club.
Land steward: Land stewards are the caretakers of each Bruce Trail Conservancy protected natural area. They visit their assigned property at least twice a year, complete annual reports on the conditions of the property, provide input into the stewardship plans, and help to organize and carry out stewardship activities such as tree planting, garbage removal, and installing signs and fences.

Landowner relations volunteers help the Bruce Trail Conservancy maintain healthy working relationships with landowners, both public and private, whose land the Bruce Trail crosses, and resolves concerns as they may arise.

Each Bruce Trail Club has their own board which oversees the activities of the Club. There are many possible volunteer roles on the Bruce Trail Club Boards, including:

Bruce Trail Club President
Responsible for the general overseeing of Bruce Trail Club operations, and for the direction, development and promotion of the overall objectives and goals of the Club
Bruce Trail Club Vice President
Act in place of the club president when the president is unavailable and to be the president elect
Bruce Trail Club Secretary
Record proceedings of all Bruce Trail Club board and club executive meetings
Bruce Trail Club Treasurer
Responsible for the custody of the funds of the Bruce Trail Club and all financial matters affecting the Club
Bruce Trail Club Director – Member at Large
Participate in the Bruce Trail Club board’s deliberations and decisions in matters of club policies, programs and finances
Bruce Trail Club Archivist
Keep safe all of the important records of the Bruce Trail Club
Bruce Trail Club Fundraising Director
Help to promote and collect funds through events or other initiatives to support the Bruce Trail Conservancy at the club level
Bruce Trail Club Hike Director
Provide direction to all Bruce Trail Club hike leaders and compile a list of all upcoming hikes for the Bruce Trail Club newsletter
Bruce Trail Club Land Steward Director
Implement and promote the land stewardship program at the Bruce Trail Club level
Bruce Trail Club Landowner Relations Director
Maintain a healthy working relationship with landowners and resolve issues as they arise
Bruce Trail Club Membership Director
Retain and increase the Bruce Trail Conservancy membership at the Bruce Trail Club level
Bruce Trail Club Newsletter Editor
The main administrative contact in producing the Bruce Trail Club newsletter
Bruce Trail Club Public Relations & Publicity Director
Publicize Bruce Trail Club’s activities, aims and objectives
Bruce Trail Club Trail Director
Responsible for the planning, maintenance and overall quality of the Bruce Trail in the Bruce Trail Club’s section, and for the overall organization and operation of Trail work
Bruce Trail Club Volunteer Coordinator
Coordinate volunteers throughout the Bruce Trail Club, and to facilitate the recruiting, training and recognition of all volunteers in the Club

Current Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are the heart and soul of the Bruce Trail, and there are many opportunities to get involved.
Thank you for your interest in giving back to the Bruce Trail Conservancy and the Bruce Trail through volunteering.

BTC Outreach Event Volunteer: Promote the Bruce Trail Conservancy, encourage supporters, and sell memberships and merchandise, by staffing an information booth at a community event, trade show (like the Outdoor Adventure Show), or BTC-hosted event.

The Toronto Bruce Trail Club regularly recruits for many roles (Event Volunteers, Trail Volunteers, Trail Captains, Land Stewards, Hike Leaders, Trail Angels, and General Volunteers). Please review the current opportunities listed on the TBTC website and submit a BTC Volunteer application indicating your interest.

The Blue Mountain Bruce Trail Club is seeking event volunteers for the Ribbon 200 Race on June 10-14th to help with two aid stations along the route, and welcome runners, keep them fueled, and ensure they stay safe on the trail. If you are interested in helping with this event, please apply online, indicating your interest.

We are also seeking general volunteers to join the Blue Mountains Bruce Trail Club. Please apply online.

The Peninsula Bruce Trail Club is currently seeking:

Spirit Squad Volunteers to welcome and cheer on Peninsula Bruce Trail Club organized End to End Hikers as they approach the end of their End to End hike.

Hike It! Love It! Keep It Clean! Litter Ambassadors to help keep the Bruce Trail clean, promote responsible trail etiquette and learn about litter found on the Bruce Trail.

PBTC DEIB Committee Volunteers to promote a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion among PBTC volunteers, and members.

To learn more about these roles, please click here.

Please apply for these roles by submitting a BTC volunteer application and indicating your interest on the application.

Niagara Bruce Trail Club is now recruiting:

Treasurer to be responsible for the custody of the funds of the Club and all financial matters affecting the Club. For more information about this role, please click here.

Trail Development and Maintenance Director. For more information on this role please see the link here.

Please apply for these roles by submitting a BTC volunteer application and indicating your specific interest on the application.

The Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Club invites all individuals to join us in making a difference through volunteering. Submit your application today and start your volunteer journey with us!

Beaver Valley Bruce Trail Club is currently seeking:

Land Stewards to be a caretaker for an assigned Bruce Trail Conservancy property on behalf of the BTC and the BVBTC. For more information, please click here.

Trail Development and Maintenance Volunteers to ensure the Bruce Trail is a safe and navigable footpath for hikers. For more information, please click here.

Hike Leaders to organize and lead hikes – sharing with others the wonders of the Bruce Trail and the Niagara Escarpment.

Trail Angels to help shuttle hikers to a chosen start point using the Trail Angel’s personal vehicle. Hikers provide a parking point on the trail, a start of hike point, as well as a time they would like to be picked up.

E-Newsletter Volunteers to help in the production of Club e-newsletter by creating and editing content.

Event Coordinator to support the work of the Club by organizing celebrations of our conservation efforts.

Outreach Volunteers to interact with and educate the public at community events such as: farmers’ markets, regional fairs, parades, Bruce Trail Day, etc.

Biodiversity Team Members to restore and protect more of the natural biosphere of the Beaver Valley’s ribbon of wilderness.

Board Members to attend monthly Board meetings and help manage Club operations (multiple positions available, learn more here).

To apply for any roles, or other opportunities with the Beaver Valley Club, please submit a BTC volunteer application and indicate your specific interest. Don’t see something that matches your interests? This list is not exhaustive – We have lots of jobs, big and small, for all abilities.

Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club is currently recruiting:

Landowner Ambassadors to maintain connection and support the needs of over 100 landowners in the section. For more information please see the link here.

The Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club welcomes anyone interested in volunteering. To begin volunteering, in any capacity, please apply by submitting a BTC volunteer application and indicating which position you are interested in.

We are seeking volunteers to join the Dufferin Hi-Land Bruce Trail Club. Please apply online.

The Sydenham Bruce Trail Club is actively recruiting the following roles:

Land Steward to become a caregiver for Bruce Trail Conservancy managed land within the Sydenham section. Duties will include reporting the ecological health of the land to our Director of Land Stewardship, upholding stewardship plans, collaborating with other volunteers, and participating in work parties that may take place on the property.

Hike Leader to organize all kinds of hikes on and relating to the Bruce Trail. Hike leaders are heroes in our community who bring people together for the love of nature and keep them safe!

Biodiversity Team Member to help the Biodiversity team with environmental projects which are too big for the Land Steward to do on their own. An example of a Biodiversity project would be the removal of invasive species on a property, followed by the planting of native species.

SBTC Board of Directors roles:

Event Coordinator to help plan and manage Club presence at local events by organizing volunteers, coordinating logistics, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. This is a great opportunity for those with event planning experience to engage with the local community and collaborate with passionate individuals.

Please apply for these roles by submitting a BTC volunteer application and indicating your interest on the application.

If you are interested in any of these positions

Volunteer Recognition

Volunteers are the soul of the Bruce Trail, and we appreciate all of their efforts! Extraordinary people put in thousands of hours of volunteer work every year to manage and promote the Bruce Trail in an effort to keep it open and in good repair.

Learn How to Nominate a Volunteer

Volunteer Resources

Whether you’re experienced or new to volunteering with the Bruce Trail Conservancy, these resources can be helpful in your role.

All Volunteers

Land Stewards

Guide to Land Stewardship

Trail Maintenance Volunteers

Questions? Contact Rhiannon Carruthers, BTC Volunteer Coordinator, at rhiannon.carruthers@brucetrail.org.

A Note for Trail Maintenance and Land Steward Volunteers on Reports

The Trail Status Report Form and the Annual Monitoring Form are not currently available on BTC website.
Please connect with your Trail Director or Land Stewardship Director for instructions and links to this year’s form.

The Accessible Ontario Disability Act and the Bruce Trail Conservancy Volunteers

Does this apply to me?

The Accessibility Standard for Customer Service applies to all organizations (public, private and non-profit) that provide goods or services either directly to the public or to other organizations in Ontario and that have one or more employees in Ontario.

Training

The customer service standard requires training to staff and volunteers on providing customer service to people with disabilities.

This includes hike leaders, board members, Head Office volunteers and staff.

An online course is available by following this link https://accessforward.ca/customer-service-standard/, or you can read this pdf document AODA Customer Service Training.

Hike Leaders – Please note the following statement –

This statement should be used, if necessary, to let people know what to expect when hiking the Bruce Trail:

While there are a few portions of the Bruce Trail within Conservation Areas that are wheelchair accessible, use of the majority of the Trail is suitable for foot traffic only. To participate in an organized hike, you need to be able to complete the specified length of the hike on your own or with your own support person within the time allowed. Please refer to the hiking schedule for hike details.

This statement can also be added to your Club Newsletter hike listings.

Log in for specific volunteer resources

Contact us for more information

Under 18?

If you are under 18 years of age, please review our Minors Volunteering Policy with your parent or guardian.

For more information about the volunteer program:

iNaturalist Bruce Trail Conservancy Volunteer Project

Collect important biodiversity data as you hike the Bruce Trail

We’re looking for volunteer citizen scientists to help us better understand the biodiversity along the Bruce Trail. Whether you are a trained botanist, mycologist or ornithologist, or just interested in learning more about the different species calling the Bruce Trail home, the Bruce Trail Conservancy can use your help. Using the free powerful online tool iNaturalist, you can collect much needed data while you are out hiking the Bruce Trail.

Corporate Volunteering

Is your corporate team looking for an opportunity to give back to your community, spend time outdoors and make real environmental impact? Sign up for a Corporate Volunteer event!

Through Corporate Volunteering with the Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC), your organization or business can arrange a hands-on group volunteering event, hike or learning opportunity for your staff while contributing to the conservation and trail work of the Bruce Trail Conservancy.

Corporate Volunteering event opportunities include:

Invasive Species Removal
Restoration Maintenance (weeding, mulching, watering previous planting)
Tree or Wildflower Plantings
Education Walk & Litter Cleanup

To learn more about Corporate Volunteering or to start you application, click the button below.

Learn more about Corporate Volunteering

Join us at an event!

See our event listings