Volunteers make significant impact in Grand River watershed

During National Volunteer Week, April 15 to 21, the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) is celebrating the vital role of volunteers who give so much of their time to nature.

In 2017, over 2,500 volunteers contributed almost 6,300 hours of their time to conservation and enhancing watershed health.

While the GRCA’s greatest need for volunteers occurs during the April-May tree planting season, volunteers also make significant contributions throughout the year through workdays and park events. Community organizations, faith-based groups and, increasingly, corporate teams are playing an essential role in advancing GRCA’s conservation priorities.

“Even a half-day commitment can make a big impact, because each event is designed to address key priorities,” says Bronwen Buck, GRCA’s Volunteer Program Coordinator. “We are thankful for the many groups who have reached out to us and helped carry out tasks related to naturalizing the nature centre learning grounds, mapping bird boxes, maintaining trails, boosting tree survival rates and even creating turtle nest protectors as part of a pilot program to prevent turtle egg predation.”

Interested groups and individuals can subscribe online at www.grandriver.ca/volunteer or visit the GRCA’s online event calendar to learn about current volunteer opportunities or receive updates when new events are listed.

GRCA volunteers by the numbers in 2017

• 15,392 trees and shrubs planted
• 1,000 lbs. of litter collected and removed from parks and shorelines
• 133 cubic metres of invasive species removed
• 60 volunteer workdays/events

The GRCA gratefully acknowledges the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Grand River Conservation Foundation for supporting the volunteer program.

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Media Contacts:

Cam Linwood, GRCA Communications Coordinator
Phone 519-621-2763 x2251  |  Email clinwood@grandriver.ca

Lisa Stocco, GRCA Manager of Communications
Phone 519-621-2763 x2316  |  Email lstocco@grandriver.ca