Volunteering

Interested in joining our group? Below are some frequently asked questions about us and our work. For more information or to become a volunteer, please send us an email at info@citizenscientists.ca. Please include your name, contact information and a brief description of your experience (if any).

Q: What is our mandate?

A: Our mandate is to build the capacity of the local community to monitor the local watershed and to collect, record and share accurate and reliable stream data which will contribute to the Ministry of Natural Resources’ (MNR) database. We use the Ontario Stream Assessment Protocol (OSAP), which was created by MNR, to collect and record stream morphology (e.g., water depth and velocity, substrate, bank features, etc.) and to collect and record benthos (e.g., aquatic insects, snails, crayfish, etc.) data, conduct fish surveys and to perform continuous temperature logging.

Q: How do we choose our volunteers?

A: As we are a non-profit, volunteer group we do not turn away any volunteers. All are welcome and no experience is necessary. We just ask that volunteers try to commit at least a few years to our group. Volunteers must be able to work outdoors and in streams. Some knowledge of fisheries, benthic invertebrates and stream ecology is helpful but not required.

Q: When do we meet?

A: Meetings and field work will vary depending on the project. When you commit to a project a timetable/schedule will be created.

Q: Where do meetings take place?

A: All monitoring currently takes place in the Rouge River watershed. We normally meet at the Rouge Valley Conservation Centre (RVCC) and then leave as a group to the site(s).

The centre is accessible by car or public transportation (TTC). Parking is available
at the Rouge Valley Conservation Centre.

By car:

From the 401: Take the Meadowvale Road exit. Go north on Meadowvale Road past Sheppard Avenue. Stay in the right hand lane and take the ramp up towards the Toronto Zoo. At the top of the ramp turn right. The Conservation Centre is the two storey house on your right.

By TTC:
If taking the TTC routes 85A, 85B and 86A all go near the centre. Please visit the TTC website for exact routes and bus times.

Q: I don't have a car. Do you provide transportation?

A: We can provide transportation from our starting point (Rouge Valley Conservation Centre) to the monitoring sites but transportation from your home to the RVCC will be your responsibility. We may be able to arrange a car pool with other volunteers or, we can also arrange a pick up from a nearby TTC stop for those volunteers who do not own a car. For those people who would like to take the TTC, Buses 85A, 85B and 86A all go near the RVCC. Please visit the TTC website or call 416-393-4636 for TTC information.

Q: Do I need to provide my own equipment?

A: No. We provide all the equipment and we also have some hip and chest waders that volunteers can borrow on our outings. Volunteers are asked to dress appropriately for outdoor activities and bring any clothes or boots that they may need.