Mountain View Volunteer Wins CAZA National Volunteer Award

Photo: Tom and Jenny Newman pose with Tom's award.

Since joining Mountain View Conservation Society in 2005, Tom has been an integral part of our volunteer team. His constant dedication and strong work ethic have contributed to many of our different programs.

Tom has used his professional skills to survey and map out not only the entire facilities’ 300 acres but also the intricate burrowing system created by the Vancouver Island Marmots housed here. His work greatly added to the information we have collected on this very endangered species.

Tom and his wife Jennifer have also been actively engaged in the public education side of Mountain View. They have prepared training materials, taught new tour guides and conducting hundreds of educational tours.

An avid photographer, Tom has captured many of our species on film and donated the sale profits back to Mountain View Conservation Society.

If that wasn’t enough, he has also been very involved in building different projects ranging from bird houses and owl boxes, to viewing stands, wheelchair ramps and Oregon Spotted Frog containment equipment.

Tom has undertaken the yearly pruning and maintenance of our gardens and landscaping, assisted with commissary, and performed daily maintenance chores.

And not-the very-least, Tom and Jen have hosted volunteer and staff parties, and consistently treated our staff to an assortment of baked goodies!

Congratulations on your award Tom! It is well deserved!

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Apply now to be a Volunteer in 2010

Photo: Volunteer Day with Gordon Blankstein

Mountain View volunteers are highly motivated, energetic and dedicated individuals. We have a number of positions for volunteers that include: Visitor Centre support, special event support, office admin and computer skills support, gift shop staffing, property maintenance, barn and field maintenance, species food preparation and keeper support. If you enjoy working outdoors, working with the public or learning more about the Conservation Centre and the animals that reside here, we have many opportunities that may interest you.

Our Volunteer Appreciation Day is an annual event that provides a great opportunity to spend some time with Gordon Blankstein the founder and CEO of Mountain View and our professional keeper staff. An opportunity to hear about their experiences and knowledge of the animals in our care provides motivation and great story telling for our tour guides, front office staff and event volunteers.

Click here for details on the various volunteer positions available at Mountain View.

Click here for details on our volunteer application and screening process.

Our volunteer application form is available in either pdf or word format, just click below.

PDF Volunteer Form Word Document Volunteer Form

Here are a few of the many benefits to volunteering at Mountain View:

1. Be part of a dedicated staff working to conserve endangered animals in BC and Canada.
2. Provide a valuable service to your community.
3. Learn about careers in science, biology, animal care, and conservation organizations.
4. Meet staff and volunteers from other conservation organizations.
5. High School Students can receive Community Service Credits
6. Meet and work with people of all ages and from a variety of backgrounds, who are interested in our mission.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR VOLUNTEERS

• Minimum age: 16 years or Grade 11. (Students must have a letter of recommendation from a teacher or career counsellor).
• Must be able bodied and in good health (the Center encompasses over 300 acres). Please reference each position for more details on particular skills.
• Must work well with people of different backgrounds, age and experience - team player.
• Must be able to make at least a 6 month per year part-time commitment for most volunteer positions such as part-time tour guide.
• All positions require the ability to commit to a minimum number of hours per month.
• Complete a volunteer application and waiver form and consent to a criminal background check.
• As an active volunteer, be willing to participate in meetings and ongoing training sessions.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

Submitting an application does not guarantee you will be accepted into the program. The process to become a volunteer has several steps (all of which are important) and may take some time. This intake process was developed in order to best serve the animals and staff and to ensure that volunteers are appropriately placed at Mountain View. Please download and read the application form "Volunteer Application Form (PDF)". Also check the Volunteer Positions section for further details on the opportunities at Mountain View. If, after reading the form, you have questions, please call 604.882.9313 or email volunteers@mtnviewconservation.org. 

Or you can write to:
Visitor Centre & Volunteer Coordinator
Mountain View Conservation Society
23898 Rawlison Cres.
Langley, B.C. V1M 3R6
Tel: 604.882.9313
Fax: 604. 881.1221