NSEN Volunteer Hub

This volunteer role aims to increase public visibility of the Eastern Shore Citizen Science Coastal Monitoring Network's (ESCOM) mission, activities, and outcomes by managing its external communications, ensuring community awareness, and public engagement across the Eastern Shore and beyond.

Potential Duties

• Create and schedule social media posts, newsletters, and updates.
• Design graphics or visuals to support ESCOM activities.
• Create, maintain and update the ESCOM social networks with recent results, events, and stories.
• Liaise with media outlets and partner organizations.

Skills Needed

• Excellent writing and editing skills.
• Familiarity with social media platforms and scheduling tools.
• Basic graphic design skills (e.g., Canva).
• Comfortable engaging with diverse audiences and responding to inquiries.
• Bonus: experience with community journalism or local advocacy.

Location
Mix of online and on-site. Coastal site visits in outdoor environments and other events as they apply.

Timeline
Ongoing.

Commitment
Up to three hours per week when only monitoring activities are planned. Up to three extra hours per week when special field visits or events are organised.

Volunteers Needed
1

Our association needs support in reading emails and forwarding communications to appropriate board members.

Potential Duties

• Read emails and forward to appropriate board members.
• Coordinate website email traffic.
• Work with Newsletter and Membership officers to assure email lists are updated.

Skills & Qualities We're Looking For:

• Love of, and excitement of outdoors.
• Familiarity with Google email and other apps.
• Familiarity with social management.

Location
Online. All of our board meetings are online using Zoom. We occasionally meet in person for fun events.

Timeline
Ongoing.

Commitment
1 flexible hour per week.

Volunteers Needed
1

Note: You would be welcome to become a board member and attend our monthly meetings, but this is not required for the position.

The Halifax North West Trails Association is seeking a secretary to help guide the organization. HNWTA is a small (6-8 member) board focused on education, promotion and use of trails in our neighbourhood. Check out our website to learn more about us. If you don't want to be our secretary consider joining our board as a member at large. We can find other ways to use your skills and interests.

Potential Duties

• Prepare meeting agenda (usually the same every month).
• Send out reminders of upcoming meetings.
• Attend monthly Zoom meetings and take notes (on a simple template using MS word).
• Prep the notes into readable form and send to the board members.

Skills Needed
MS Word, email. Organized It would be nice if you lived in Fairview, Clayton Park, Larry Uteck area but not required. Like to walk or spend time outdoors.

Location
Mix of online and on-site. We often lead walks on the trails in our area, you would be welcome, but not required to attend.

Timeline
Ongoing.

Commitment
2-3 hours per week.

Volunteers Needed
1

Our association needs a new Treasurer to manage our small budget ($20,000). Training will be provided. Treasurer will be a board member and officer.

Potential Duties

• Prepare short reports for monthly meetings.
• Prepare longer statements for final grant reports and year-end statements.
• Pay regular bills and expenses.
• Attend monthly board meetings.
• Advise board on monetary matters.

Skills Needed

• Use of Excel spreadsheet
• Records organization using Google Drive.

Location
Online. Our board meetings are online using Zoom. We occasionally meet in person for more fun activities.

Timeline
Ongoing. Ideal commitment of 1 year minimum.

Commitment
2 flexible hours per week.

Volunteers Needed
1

To promote KAIROS Halifax social justice events and activities among university students and help find ways to work together on common interests related to social justice such as environment and climate justice and human rights. 

Duties: 1. Make KAIROS Atlantic Facebook and other social media platforms more accessible to members and supporters.
2. Link KAIROS Halifax to campus events related to shared social justice interests, events and activities.

Skills: Computer and communication skills including social media; networking skills with other social justice groups within the university.

2 flexible hours per week.

*Attend KAIROS monthly meeting online if possible.

Nature Nova Scotia is working on a new fundraising policy and strategic planning exercise to prioritize new revenue generating activities to pilot in 2025. We need volunteers to help us chart a path forward to improve financial sustainability.

Potential Duties

• Meet with other committee members monthly to discuss strategic actions and take on tasks as needed.
• Take on one or two targeted actions that help us achieve our goals (ex: conduct a review of similar corporate giving programs at other charities, conduct cold calls to businesses about opportunities to sponsor Nature NS, conduct a review of fundraising policies at other charities, etc.).
• Help plan fundraising events.
• Attend market booths.
• Send any relevant grant applications to staff.
• Help the committee prepare and present recommendations for policy and practice to the board.

Skills Needed
Interest in business, social purpose operations, fundraising, etc. Sales experience is an asset.

Location
Mix of online and on-site.

On-Site Location

Anywhere in Nova Scotia. Meetings may be online and other activities may take place in the volunteer's community where appropriate.

Timeline
Ongoing, start date is flexible.

Commitment
1-2 hours per month for an expected committee term of 1 year.

Volunteers Needed
2-3

Literature review on moose health, behaviour, and ecology.

Potential Duties

• Review trail-camera photos and record any relevant wildlife observations (e.g., animal detections) in the shared photo folder and the project Excel file.
• Assist with moose-related meetings and guided hike events.
• Check iNaturalist and Facebook monthly for new moose-sighting reports.
• Contribute to writing the mainland moose research paper.
• Distribute project posters in businesses throughout HRM and surrounding rural areas.

Location
Mix of online and on-site.

Commitment
TBD.

Volunteers Needed
3+

We are seeking volunteers to help collect and enter data on waterbird species at sites across Halifax and Cape Breton. This information is shared publicly to build a baseline database of which birds are present in the event of a pollution incident, such as an oil spill. Having this data ensures that the Coast Guard and the Canadian Wildlife Service know how many birds may need to be protected or rescued.

Potential Duties

• Enter data into an Excel file
• Enter data from Excel into the Nature Counts app
• Visit sites and survey for birds for 30 mins at each site (binos & basic bird knowledge needed)
• Attend market booths and encourage volunteer sign-up
• Attend events as a back up guide

Skills Needed
Binoculars a scope are required for surveying. For data entry, you need attention to detail and need to know how to use google sheets or excel.

Location
Mix of online and on-site. 15 sites across Halifax

Commitment
4 hours per month

Volunteers Needed
As many as we can!

The NS Adopt-A-Highway and Great NS Pick-Me-Up Programs are looking for volunteers to register for litter clean-ups. We provide free clean-up supplies and facilitation for planning your clean-up. Clean-ups can take place on roadways, parks, trails, shorelines, and more!

Potential Duties

• Register for a clean-up on nsadoptahighway.ca.
• Organize your clean-up with assistance from the Litter Programs Coordinator.
• Complete your litter clean-up.
• Organize pick-up for the litter that you collect.


• Submit your data by filling out the Data Card provided to you by the Litter Programs Coordinator.

Skills Needed
No skills required, other than the ability to pick up litter!

Location
Mix of online and on-site. On-site location of your choice (cannot be on a 100 series roadway, and clean-ups on provincial roadways require you to fill out an Assumption of Risk Form).

Timeline
Your choice of date/time before November 15th.

Commitment
Approximately 2 hours per clean-up registered.

Volunteers Needed
As many as possible.

The Water Caucus is a group of individuals and representatives from organizations that have an interest in water-related issues, including those relating to water quality monitoring, river and watershed health, wetlands, environmental racism, citizen science, education, habitat restoration, aquatic invasive species and water governance at all scales.

The caucus is seeking passionate individuals to join and help grow impactful water initiatives in the province.

As a caucus member, you will contribute in a knowledge-sharing forum that seeks opportunities for partnership and collaboration around these issues.

Potential Duties

• Attend quarterly caucus meetings
• Join our working groups and sub committees for more hands on approaches to different initiatives in the water sector.
• Take on specific roles based on interests and expertise, including: Co-chair, Secretary, Event Planner, Recruitment/Outreach, Communications, Fundraising Support, or Strategic Planning.

Skills Needed

• A drive for knowledge and awareness towards water conservation, or outreach/education efforts.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• An understanding of the importance of collaboration and advocacy.
• Familiar with online meeting platforms and forums.

Location
Online meetings with occasional, optional in-person events. Anywhere in Nova Scotia.

On-Site Location

Anywhere in Nova Scotia. Meetings take place online. Flexible opportunities to participate based on your availability and location.

Timeline
Ongoing position with a flexible start date.

Commitment
1 hour per month with flexibility for more involvement for specific tasks or projects.

Volunteers Needed
As many as interested

For more detailed information, please visit our website here. If you have any questions, please contact water@nsenvironmentalnetwork.com

The Water Caucus is a group of individuals and representatives from organizations that have an interest in water-related issues, including those relating to water quality monitoring, river and watershed health, wetlands, environmental racism, citizen science, education, habitat restoration, aquatic invasive species and water governance at all scales.

The Caucus's Outreach and Events Committee is seeking passionate individuals to join who understand the importance of networking and creating opportunities for the whole community to be involved.

As part of the Outreach and Events Committee, you will contribute to internal and external growth that seeks out partnership and collaboration around these water-related issues.

Potential Duties

• Attend monthly Outreach and Event Committee meetings
• Contribute to building a contact list of stakeholders across the water sector and recruit wider participation in the Water Caucus
• Research networking events, conferences, workshops, booth opportunities, in person events, and online meetings to share with the caucus
• Organize guest speakers and webinar opportunities for the caucus and general public to share their work in the water sector and learn about other's projects
• Plan in-person events for the caucus and public for education and outreach
• Run a Water Caucus social media page, educating the public, and highlighting different initiatives and events of the Caucus
• Take on specific roles based on interests and expertise, including: Co-chair, Secretary, Event Planner, Recruitment/Outreach, Communications

Skills Needed

• A passion for raising awareness for water conservation through outreach, education, and/or events
• Organization and attention to detail skills 
• An understanding of the importance of collaboration and advocacy
• Familiar with online meeting platforms and forums.

Location
Online meetings with occasional, optional in-person events. Anywhere in Nova Scotia.

On-Site Location

Anywhere in Nova Scotia. Meetings take place online. Flexible opportunities to participate based on your availability and location.

Timeline
Ongoing position with a flexible start date.

Commitment
1 hour per month with flexibility for more involvement for specific tasks or projects.

Volunteers Needed
As many as interested

For more detailed information, please visit our website here. If you have any questions, please contact water@nsenvironmentalnetwork.com

NSEN is always looking for skilled volunteers to contribute environmental blog posts to feature on our website, newsletter, and social media platforms.

Potential Duties

• Interviewing environmental experts for Q&A style posts.
• Conducting online research on topics of interest.
• Writing op-eds on topics you are knowledgeable in.
• Acquiring appropriate images to include with the article.
• Citing your information sources.

Location
Online.

Timeline
Available on an ongoing basis.

Commitment
1 article every 1-3 months.

Volunteers Needed
2 or 3

Re-Imagining Atlantic Harbours is surveying Grand Lake this summer. Community volunteers are welcome to learn more!

Potential Duties

• Supporting community events.
• Supporting field technicians.
• Designing and delivering story collection opportunities!
• Promotion of program.

Skills Needed
A passion for Lake ecosystems and community engagement. Experience based on the Eastern Shore and a demonstrated love of the lakes and community.

Location
Mix of online and on-site. Grand Lake.

Timeline
Summer 2025.

Commitment
5 flexible hours per month.

Volunteers Needed
2-5

This volunteer position supports the East Hants Chapter by co-leading monthly nature events, helping with planning, communication, and running engaging nature-based and conservation activities for kids aged 8–14.

Potential Duties

• Plan Events – Help choose monthly nature themes and activities.
• Lead Activities – Guide kids and families through fun, outdoor experiences.
• Share Info – Send updates and event details to families.
• Set Up/Clean Up – Prep materials and tidy up after events.
• Welcome Families – Greet participants and create an inclusive environment.

Skills & Qualities We're Looking For

• Interest in Nature – A love for the outdoors and some knowledge of local wildlife or ecosystems.
• Passion for Youth Education – Excited to share nature with kids in fun and meaningful ways.
• Experience with Youth – Comfortable leading or supporting activities with children and families.
• Organized & Reliable – Able to plan and co-lead one event per month, including prep, communication, and clean-up.
• Outdoor Safety & Exploration – A good sense of safety and supervision while enjoying hands-on nature adventures.

Location
Mix of online and on-site. Most volunteer work takes place outdoors at local parks, trails, and nature areas within the East Hants region. Event locations vary each month but are always chosen to be safe, and accessible. Some planning or prep work may be done from home (e.g., emailing families, preparing materials).

Timeline
Ongoing, start date TBD. Position open until filled.

Commitment
6 hours per month.

Volunteers Needed
1

Note: Volunteers will work closely with the current East Hants Nature Guardians leader and will be supported by both them and the YNC Provincial Coordinator. This is a team-based role with guidance provided, perfect for those who enjoy nature and working with youth. Because this role involves working with children, successful applicants will be required to complete Criminal Record and Child Abuse Registry checks.