The Grand River Conservation Authority has a new volunteer program through a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Matt Amy is the new volunteer program coordinator charged with matching volunteers with GRCA projects and programs, anything from building a walking bridge to maintaining trails or outdoor education. He will look at co-op placements, corporate volunteering, community events and special skills that seniors or others may offer.
“The GRCA has always had strong community support and volunteers have always helped us out. We are now trying to simplify the process and make it easier for volunteers to connect with us,” Amy said.
Previously, a potential volunteer with a great idea may have approached a variety of different staff. However, without anyone dedicated to volunteers, some of these projects did not materialize and volunteers went elsewhere or were not recognized for their contribution.
A volunteer in his own community, Amy has worked for the GRCA for eight years in parks, resource planning and human resources, starting when he was a student. He knows the organization from many different angles.
“I know how many opportunities there are for volunteers at the GRCA and that is why I am really looking forward to connecting volunteers with opportunities,” he said.
The new program is funded from a $274,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and help from the Grand River Conservation Foundation.
There are many ways volunteers contribute. For example, each spring Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada employees undertake projects such as trail maintenance and trimming, constructing walking bridges and painting buildings.
Amy is also impressed by a volunteer at Guelph Lake Nature Centre, Chris Osborne, who helps with maintenance projects. During the winter, he shovels snow before students arrive, and in fall he rakes leaves and maintains the grounds.
Until now, many volunteers have been referred to partner organizations or have quietly gone about volunteer work with little or no recognition. This program will recognize volunteers, engage new ones, and ensure their safety. It will also help the GRCA look after lands and connect people with the environment through outdoor experiences. The GRCA will also work more closely with partner organizations.
Amy will work on annual events, such as GRCA tree plantings each spring across the watershed. Those create future forests, and volunteers are always needed. GRCA volunteer opportunities that are open to citizens will be listed on www.grandriver.ca/events once the details have been worked out.
Volunteers, companies that would like to arrange volunteer work days for their staff and community organizations can get in touch with Amy at volunteer@grandriver.ca or by calling 519- 621-2763, extension 2214.
