Volunteering with Island Nature Trust

by Heidi Riley

Island Nature Trust (INT) acquires and protects ecologically sensitive land on PEI, such as wetlands and old growth hardwood forest. They also monitor and advocate for the coastal ecosystems and species at risk outside the National Park. They monitor beaches for piping plovers and bank swallows and they monitor species at risk on agricultural lands.

Kaylee Busniuk is the Stewardship and Engagement Manager for INT. “Our team oversees the work done on the 12,000 acres of land owned by INT and does monitoring and active restoration work.”

One-time opportunities for volunteers

• Tree planting
• Dumpsite clean up
• Help at public events such as interpretive walks
• Share your unique talents in photography, graphic design, web design, or third-party fundraisers.

Longer-term volunteer opportunities

Guardian programs require varying commitment levels and some training, which is provided by INT. As a thank-you, volunteers will be invited to private value-added and appreciation events.

Coastal Guardian Program

• Volunteers are assigned a beach to monitor for piping plovers. Training is provided.
• Volunteers are assigned routes to monitor for bank swallows. Training is provided.

Conservation Guardian Program

• Volunteers are assigned to a natural area owned by Island Nature Trust to check for human activity such as dumping and tree cutting at least once a year.
• Training is provided

“Volunteers don’t need any previous education or experience,” says Kaylee. “We encourage anyone interested to reach out. We are always interested in helping people engage with us in any way they can.”