Thank you for your interest in volunteering!
Volunteers are vital to our work at the Ecology Action Centre. Whether you’re a good writer, a strategic thinker, an amateur photographer, a passionate organizer, a talented artist, a people person, a numbers person, a student, a professional, a retiree, or just a fellow human on planet Earth, we want to hear from you. Creating a just and vibrant future will take all of us!
Check out the information below to learn about how you can get involved:
Join our Volunteer Email List
Want to be in the know about upcoming EAC volunteer opportunities? Whether you’re looking for regular or occasional volunteer opportunities, signing up for our Volunteer Email List is a great first step into getting involved!
The Volunteer Email List is a newsletter that lists every volunteer opportunity the EAC is offering. Anyone who is on the list receives the newsletter biweekly on Thursday afternoons.
What kind of opportunities will you hear about? It’s a mix! Sometimes it can be one-off tasks, like helping with an event, or using your expertise to help with research, graphic design, baking... the list goes on. Other times, it can be an opportunity to join an ongoing volunteer project, like our Deep Canvassing project in 2023, or a regular position at the front desk. We also include petitions and other calls to action in our Volunteer Call.
Whether you want to jump right into volunteering at the EAC, wait for the perfect opportunity to use your skills, or just take a peek into what we’re up to, anyone can join the Volunteer Email List. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Join an Action Committee
Our volunteer action teams meet regularly to connect, learn together, and make progress on a specific environmental issue. Everyone is welcome, regardless of your background or experience!
Most meetings happen online via Zoom. Contact a team chair or coordinator to be added to their listserv and receive the meeting link. Their names and contact information are below each team overview.
Energy Action Team
Climate change impacts all of us. The Energy Action Team inspires Nova Scotians to prosper in a future free of fossil fuels, and where energy is used as efficiently as possible. Through education, consultation, and advocacy, we work for a just transition into this future.
The Energy Action Team meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. local time.
Fill out this form if you are interested in joining the EAT!
Wilderness Issues Team
The Wilderness Issues Team is focused on establishing more protected areas and improving how forests are managed. They meet on the third Thursday of every month at 6:00 p.m. local time.
Contact: Kristen Noel, Wilderness Issues Committee Chair, kristenmichellenoel@gmail.com
Parents for Youth Climate Group
The Energy & Climate Team is starting a parents and teachers only group to discuss and engage with climate-related issues as they impact children, with the goal to collaborate on a strategy to make a positive difference for our future generations.
This is a new group that does not have a set meeting time. If you would like to sign up or more information, please fill out the interest form here.
Petition Action Team
The Petition Action Team is our loudest champion for our calls to action! The Petition Action Team heads to Farmers Markets throughout Halifax Regional Municipality and tells market-goers about specific actions they can take to help support the work we do. This can be anything from talking about the Coastal Protection Act to advocating for electric school buses.
There is a four month minimum commitment to be on the Petition Action Team, with team members expected to do one market per month. Team members are also required to attend a three hour introduction training that helps with understanding who the EAC is and how to uplift our calls to action. After training, there are periodic Q&A sessions hosted by our project staff — these are great opportunities for those looking to connect with our work!
For more information or to sign up, email Brandy at brandy.rivers@ecologyaction.ca.
Bike Buddy Program
The Bike Buddy Program is a bike mentorship that pairs a newcomer ‘mentee’ with a local bicycle rider ‘mentor’. The goal of the Bike Buddy program is to help newcomers feel more confident riding their bicycle, explore the city and meet new people!
To learn more about the program, including how to get involved, visit the Bike Buddy Program page or get in touch by email at bikebuddy@ecologyaction.ca.
Bike Again
Bike Again is a volunteer-run, do-it-yourself bike shop that aims to get more people on bikes, promote cycling, increase bike literacy, and build a stronger cycling community. We are always looking for new volunteers to help run our drop-in sessions and help at events. We are also always looking for women and trans folk interested in sharing their bike repair skills. Get in touch or stop by and say hello!
No experience is necessary. All we need is a friendly attitude and a willingness to help. Please email bikeagainvolunteer@ecologyaction.ca with questions or to express an interest. We'd love to hear from you!
E&A Magazine
Our Ecology & Action Magazine committee meets four times per year. We produce two issues annually, in spring and fall. We're always looking for interested writers and editors to join our team.
Contact magazine@ecologyaction.ca to join, or if you have any questions. Check out a recent issue of the magazine here.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions or would like to talk to someone about volunteering with the EAC, please contact Brandy Rivers, Events and Volunteer Officer via email at brandy.rivers@ecologyaction.ca. Thank you for your interest and support!
What can I do as a volunteer at the EAC?
There are many different ways to get involved, from helping with an event to leading an action team. Depending on your interest and capacity, you can choose the level of involvement that works for you. Read on for more details.
One-time opportunities: These are volunteer opportunities that require a short time commitment. They are often small tasks that help our project staff, or that support an event. Examples are: join a fundraiser, do some research, make phone calls, distribute magazines, take photographs, help with livestreaming an event, or send a letter. You’ll hear about these opportunities through the biweekly volunteer newsletter.
Longer term opportunities: These are volunteer opportunities that require a longer time commitment, and often more responsibility. Examples are: Join an action committee, volunteer at the front desk, facilitate a series of workshops, do public outreach, get involved with a project, organize an event or fundraiser.
Team Co-Chair: Each action team is chaired or led by volunteers. Our co-chairs work with staff and volunteers to organize projects and initiatives and facilitate meetings. If you’re passionate about an environmental issue, this can be a great opportunity to explore a leadership role and have the chance to work with other passionate folks. Co-chair positions are filled as needed.
Board of Directors: The EAC is governed by a volunteer board of directors. Our board helps shape the organization and steer us into the future! We welcome expressions of interest in joining the board at any time.
Can I complete my Service Learning semester/practicum/internship with EAC?
Maybe! The answer depends a lot on timing and whether there is a good fit between your skills and interests and the current needs of our team.
Send an email with a description of the kind of work you’re interested in, the requirements of your program, and a current resume to Brandy at brandy.rivers@ecologyaction.ca, and we'll get in touch with next steps.
I am an expert in _______________. Can I use my skills to contribute to your work?
We would love to hear from you about the specific expertise you have to offer! Contact Brandy at brandy.rivers@ecologyaction.ca, and we can have a conversation about whether there is work you can help us with at this time.
Do I need to provide references or a background check before volunteering?
For some of our volunteer opportunities, such as helping with an event, there is no formal screening process. For volunteer opportunities that directly work with vulnerable peoples, such as children, newcomers, or people with disabilities, you will be asked to provide a criminal record check and/or a vulnerable sector check.
I signed up for the Volunteers Email List… now what do I do?
That’s awesome! From there, you should have received an email confirming you’re on the list (check your junk mail if you haven’t received it).
The Volunteer Call normally goes out biweekly on Thursday afternoons. Once you receive the Volunteer Call, you can read it over and respond to whatever opportunities piques your interest.
You do not need to attend our volunteer orientation or sign a volunteer agreement to volunteer for the EAC.
When is the next Volunteer Orientation?
We usually host volunteer orientations twice a year in January and October. It is a two-part orientation – the first part takes place virtually and includes an overview of who the EAC is, our history, and all the volunteer opportunities we have. The second part is in-person at our offices in 2705 Fern Lane, and includes a tour of the EAC offices, and open-ended discussions about volunteering at the EAC.
Attending a Volunteer Orientation can be helpful for navigating all the options for how to get involved, and finding your niche. However you do not need to attend the volunteer orientation before volunteering with the EAC. Dates for the next volunteer orientation will be listed in Volunteer Calls closer to the date, so keep your eyes peeled!