Get Involved (10)
VOLUNTEERS WANTED!
Brief Description
During the fall we sample benthic invertebrates using the kick-and-sweep method throughout the Rideau Valley watershed.
What to Expect
You’ll spend a lot of time traveling to remote areas in an RVCA vehicle with one of our professionals. Your day will typically start at 8:00 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m., however, some days might be longer. You’ll be walking steep slopes; entering cold and fast flowing water wearing chest waders; canoeing in lakes and sometimes working in inclement weather.
When
- Tentative dates are Monday to Friday, October through to November. Depending on the fall conditions, this opportunity may start earlier and/or end later.
Skills and Competencies Required
- To be successful in this role, you will already need to be comfortable traveling long distances, working in cold temperatures in and around water, wading through streams and walking in difficult terrain. We are looking for volunteers with good communication skills, positive attitude and the ability to work in teams.
Skills and Competencies To Be Acquired
To be successful in this role, you will already need to be comfortable travelling long distances, working in cold temperatures in and around water, wading through streams, wearing chest waders, touching benthic invertebrates and walking in difficult terrain. We are looking for volunteers with good communication skills, positive attitude and able to work in teams.
- Aquatic sampling field experience;
- wearing chest waders and working in streams;
- operating a multiparameter water chemistry probe;
- use of a Secchi disk, a composite sampler, and a Van Doren
- Kick and sweep techniques for benthic invertebrates
Be Prepared
You will need your own transportation to and from RVCA headquarters (3889 Rideau Valley Drive, Manotick.
Read the Participant Guide found in the volunteer section of the RVCA website.
You will need to provide:
- your own warm and water-resistant clothing (dressing in layers is a good idea);
- your own footwear and extra socks – wear closed toe shoes to get around;
- to wear chest waders you will require a thick pair of socks with length (no ankle socks);
- your own lunch, snacks, and beverages.
We Supply
- chest waders and flotation safety equipment;
- sampling equipment, supervision and instruction.
RVCA Contacts
In Accordance with the Participant Waiver and Release
For a PDF copy of this document, click here.
RVCA Event Co-ordinator Responsibilities
Safeguard the safety and security of Participants by:
- Ensuring they receive appropriate training to complete each task;
- Ensuring they do not use RVCA power equipment or operate an RVCA vehicle;
- Informing them, in writing, of any known potential site hazards and ensuring theyhave appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);
- Providing them with appropriate supervision and feedback;
- Understanding and appropriately accommodating personal physical limitations.
Respect the rights of Participants and protect their personal information;
Provide Participants with a meaningful experience.
Participant Rights
- Receive appropriate information to understand the risks involved with the event and to appreciate the purpose of the event;
- Receive appropriate training and supervision;
- Decline to perform any tasks which you may feel are unsafe;
- Be treated with respect by RVCA staff and other participants;
- Provide feedback on the event to improve future activities.
Participant Responsibilities
- Ensure you have your own transportation to the work site and/or RVCA office, as directed;
- Read and sign the Participant Waiver and Release before participating in the event;
- Follow policies, protocols and procedures established by the RVCA and as directed by the Event Co-ordinator;
- Clarify any uncertainties with the Event Co-ordinator;
- Take reasonable care when carrying out your tasks;
- Inform the Event Co-ordinator of any physical limitations or restrictions;
- Wear Personal Protective Equipment or clothing identified as mandatory by your Supervisor, including but not limited to safety clothing such as steel-toed boots, sunscreen or other appropriate outdoor wear;
- Work cooperatively with RVCA staff, recognizing and appreciating differences of opinion;
- Be considerate, respect competencies and work as a team with all staff and other Participants;
- Use time wisely and not interfere with performance of others;
- Immediately report all accidents and injuries to the Event Co-ordinator;
- While participating in events for the RVCA, smoking and using or possessing illegal drugs or alcohol is prohibited. Participants should ask the Event Co-ordinator to identify designated smoking areas.
Potential Hazards
You may be exposed to the following hazards. Hazards specific to each work site will be described on site.
- Steep slopes
- Unsure footing
- Uneven bottom
- Fast moving current
- Poor visibility
- Scour holes
- Poor water quality
- Metal objects in water
- Extreme temperatures, rain, snow
- Hazardous waste such as chemicals, broken glass, syringes/needles)
- Toxic plants such as poison ivy, giant hogweed, wild parsnip
- Animals
- Insects including Lyme-carrying Blacklegged Ticks
HR Forms/Volunteers/Participant Guide November 17, 2017
During the spring freshet we assess hundreds of headwater drainage features at various remote locations throughout the Rideau Valley watershed. We need your help conducting these assessments.
What to Expect
- You’ll spend a lot of time travelling to remote areas in an RVCA vehicle with one of our professionals. Your day will typically start at 8:00 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m., however some days may be longer.
- You’ll be navigating steep slopes; entering cold and fast flowing water wearing hip waders; and sometimes working in inclement weather (but never in a storm).
When
- Tentative dates are March through April. Depending on the timing of the spring freshet, this opportunity may start earlier and/or end later
Skills and Competencies Required
- To be successful in this role, you will already need to be comfortable travelling long distances, working in cold temperatures in and around water, wading through streams and walking in difficult terrain. We are looking for volunteers with good communication skills, positive attitude and the ability to work in teams.
Skills and Competencies To Be Acquired
You will gain hands on experience:
- applying the Ontario Stream Assessment Protocol module to assess headwater drainage features
- wearing chest waders and working in small streams
- how to operate a multiparameter water chemistry probe
- how to measure surface water velocities
- recognizing sediment deposition
- detecting fish migration barriers
- how to identify various types of vegetation
Be Prepared
- You will need your own transportation to and from RVCA headquarters at 3889 Rideau Valley Drive in Manotick
- Read the RVCA's Participant Guide
You will need to provide:
- your own warm and water-resistant clothing (dressing in layers is a good idea);
- your own footwear and extra socks – wear closed toe shoes to get around, to wear chest waders you will require a thick pair of socks with length (no ankle socks);
- your own lunch, snacks and beverages.
We Supply
- electronic copy of the OSAP manual module: Assessing Headwater Drainage Features
- chest waders and reflective vests;
- sunscreen and DEET bug repellant;
- sampling equipment;
- supervision and instruction.
RVCA Contact
Love being outside? Enjoy working with children? Looking to complete your 40 hours of volunteering for high school? Baxter Conservation Area is looking for mature, enthusiastic volunteers to help out with our nature-themed summer day camp. Volunteers must be going into grade 9 in the fall or older. Camp includes nature hikes, pond studies, crafts, games and swimming at Baxter's sandy beach.
For more information, please contact the Baxter team at:
613-489-3592
If you live on a lake and are interested in recording water levels (weekly or every two weeks) and feel you have a good location for a staff gauge to be placed (permanent dock, flat rock etc..) then we would appreciate your help in our monitoring levels on watershed lakes.
For more information, please contact:
Justin Robert
Hydrometric Data Coordinator
Department of Engineering and Regulation
Ext. 1194
The Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation (RVCF) is always looking for enthusiastic individuals to become board members and assist with fundraising efforts. To learn more about the RVCF visit www.rvcf.ca.
Contact:
Diane Downey
RVCF Executive Director
613-692-3571 ext. 1126
Watch for dates to help us plant trees and shoreline shrubs. Our Shoreline Naturalization Program, City Stream Watch Program and various other special projects often look for people to help.
Rideau Valley Conservation’s stewardship projects offer opportunities to get your hands dirty while taking action in your community. We partner with private landowners, watershed residents, municipalities, and agricultural and academic communities to protect and enhance our natural environment. From habitat enhancement, to tree plantings and clean-ups, your efforts will have an immediate and positive impact on the local environment, and contribute to long-term sustainability.
Follow our volunteer calendar for upcoming events.
Watershed Watch is a monitoring program on 39 lakes in our valley. The program is building a set of ambient (baseline) data that can be used to show trends and changes in the condition of the watershed lakes. It will act as an early warning system to identify trends or problems in water quality.
The water quality indicators monitored in the program are:
- Total phosphorus (deep points, shoreline)
- Total Kjeldahl nitrogen (deep points, shoreline)
- Bacteria (E.Coli) (shoreline)
- Water clarity/Secchi Depth (deep points)
- Dissolved oxygen/temperature (deep points)
- Calcium (deep point)
Over the first five years of the Watershed Watch program (2001 – 2005), 6 or 7 lakes were sampled intensively (8 times) each year at the deep points and at shoreline sites where there appeared to be possible pollution sources. The program was changed in 2006 to monitor 39 lakes 4 times a year (May thru October). Deep points are sampled 4 times a year, while shoreline sites a sampled twice a year through the summer months (June thru September).
Volunteer Opportunities:
Anyone can get involved! Join the group of residents on several lakes who volunteer their time and their boats each summer to provide on the water transportation for RVCA staff and a helping hand taking samples. Or watch for special times of the year where we need a little extra help with sampling.
Want to learn more?
Contact to volunteer or get more information.
RVCA is proud to be part of the City Stream Watch Program. Since 2003, this program has worked with volunteers to monitor and report on information about our urban creeks and streams in the City of Ottawa.
City Stream Watch volunteers:
- conduct stream habitat assessments (physical and biological characteristics)
- sample for and identify aquatic benthic invertebrates
- participate in fish sampling sessions
- monitor stream temperatures
- remove invasive species
- assist in stream rehabilitation and shoreline restoration projects
- clean up streams to remove urban garbage
Monitoring Schedule:
Click to enlarge map
Want to learn more?
Contact:
City Stream Watch Coordinator
613-692-3571 ext. 1155
Volunteer Opportunities
The City Stream Watch is always looking for new volunteers to help monitor, protect and clean up Ottawa streams. No experience is needed and no minimum time commitment.
Sign-up to our mailing list to join our list of volunteers and receive information on City Stream Watch opportunities. You can also check out our latest events on our volunteer calendar.
Reports
View City Stream Watch Reports.
Partners:
The City Stream Watch Program is a community-based partnership which includes the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, Heron Park Community Association, Ottawa Flyfishers Society, Rideau Roundtable, Canadian Forces Fish and Game Club, Ottawa Stewardship Council, City of Ottawa and the National Capital Commission.
RVCA works with many volunteers throughout the year to help restore and enhance our watershed. We offer a range of volunteer opportunities that require varying experience levels and time commitments. There may be an interesting and rewarding volunteer opportunity at RVCA that's right for you!
Check our Events Calendar (below) to see special, upcoming events for volunteers/participants or learn more about specific volunteer opportunities listed in the Get Involved! Volunteer menu (on right).