Home > Organizations > Helen Schuler Nature Centre > Trail Rover
Populations Served
- Adults
- Children
- Member Agency Staff
- Seniors
- Young Adults
Competencies/Skills
- Accountability
- Communication
- Inquiry & Curiosity
- Risk Assessment & Management
- Stewardship
Trail Rover
Barrier-Free Access- Flexible Hours
- Remote/Micro Volunteering
- Suitable for Community Service/Fine Options
- Suitable for Families
- Suitable for Groups
- Suitable for Seniors
- Suitable for Support Staff with Client
- Suitable for Youth
Trail Rovers act as the eyes and ears of the Nature Centre – reporting their observations, sightings, and photos from the trail system. Supporting the mission and vision, the Trail Rover represents the Nature Centre in the community by helping trail users understand and appreciate what they are experiencing. Rovers often share their love and knowledge of what can be discovered in Lethbridge’s river valley.
Location: Trail Rovers work in various locations throughout the City of Lethbridge at any park or natural area accessible by the city’s trail system.
Volunteer Duties
- Report sightings of plants, mammals, birds, and insects to the Nature Centre for the Bio DataBase.
- Report trail user statistics and damage reports.
What does a trail roving shift look like?
- Park Stewardship
- Walk the River Valley trails.
- Refill brochure boxes.
- Provide general trail maintenance.
- Pick up litter.
- Correct minor infractions.
- Data Collection
- Participate in citizen science programs like Bio DataBase.
- Ensure visitor safety by reporting possible hazards and concerns.
- Fill out and turn in Rover Report forms at the end of each volunteer shift.
- Promotions & Programming Support
- Provide general interpretation to trail users when appropriate.
- Assist with Ask a Naturalist program.
- Answers questions about the Nature Centre.
Training, Orientation and Supervision:
- Through a two hour orientation, Nature Centre staff will provide a solid foundation for Trail Roving.
- Volunteers will learn about the history of the Nature Centre and its place in Lethbridge’s River Valley; familiarize themselves with Roving resources including handouts, speaking points, maps, guide books, and library resources.
- All Trail Rovers will receive a copy of our Coulees & Cottonwoods Field Guide and a Lethbridge Trail Guide.
- Trail Rovers are expected to be comfortable walking the trails independently and completing trail roving reports at the end of each volunteer shift without supervision. Participation in additional training, workshops, and programs is encouraged.
Requirements
- Age: 16 years old or above
- Dress Code: Outdoor Casual with uniform top provided (light brown t-shirt, dark-brown t-shirt, polo shirt, black vest).
- Security Checks: All Nature Centre volunteers are subject to a criminal record check.
- Trail Rovers are expected to be comfortable walking the trails independently and completing trail roving reports at the end of each volunteer shift without supervision. Participation in additional training, workshops, and programs is encouraged.
Qualifications & Personal Traits:
- Strong oral communication skills.
- Desire to be outside in nature at city parks and in the river valley.
- Desire to learn about Lethbridge natural history.
- Willingness to share knowledge about nature in Lethbridge.
- Outgoing and enthusiastic.
- Able to be self-motivated and work independently.
- Ability to climb steep slopes and walk rugged terrain.
- Patient.
Schedule
- Submit one Trial Roving report every two weeks.
- Please be able to make a minimum commitment of six months with at least 3 hours per month.
- Length of volunteer shift: Minimum 1 hour per Trail Roving Report.
Time Commitment
Continuing commitment
Type of Opportunity
Community Engagement,Environmental
Application Type
Advanced
Other Opportunities with Helen Schuler Nature Centre
Conservation Outreach Assistants help to conserve the City of Lethbridge’s river valley by monitoring, observing, and reporting activities that are not permitted in natural areas. They also act as the eyes and ears of the Nature Centre by reporting their observations of the natural world and seasonal phenomena.
Supporting the mission and vision, Conservation Outreach Assistants represent the Nature Centre in the community by helping trail users understand and appreciate the parks they are visiting.
Location: Conservation Outreach Assistants specifically target Nature Preservation Area Parks in the City of Lethbridge, including: Lethbridge Nature Reserve, Elizabeth Hall Wetlands, Alexander Wilderness Park, and Cottonwood Park.
Special Events Assistants provide support during busy festivals and offsite events in an effort to raise awareness about the Nature Centre’s programs and services.
Supporting the mission and vision, the Special Event Assistant represents the Nature Centre in the community by helping acting as an ambassador at events like Canada Day at Henderson Lake, Lethbridge Children’s Expo, Spring Nature Fest, Discovery Days, Nature Play Fest, among many others.
Location: Special Events take place at the Nature Centre and at various locations throughout the City of Lethbridge.
Exhibit Rovers interact with our visitors, providing an interpretive experience that connects them to nature through our exhibit program. Supporting the mission and vision, the Exhibit Rover represents the Nature Centre to visitors during normal operating hours (between 10am and 6pm).
Location: Exhibit Rovers work in the exhibit rooms – primarily the front lobby, main gallery, and exhibit gallery at the Helen Schuler Nature Centre, located north of the High Level Bridge via Indian Battle Road and 3rd Avenue South.
Thanks for your interest in this volunteer position!
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Volunteers can sign up for up to 3 continuing commitment opportunities for immediate referrals. If you signed up for more than 3, a Volunteer Lethbridge staff member will connect with you before making new referrals.