Calling all Stewardship Volunteers!

Help restore wetlands, spot birds, earn volunteer hours, and make a direct impact on local habitat! We have several wetland restoration volunteer opportunities coming up this month including invasive Phragmites removal events in Essa, Collingwood, and Clearview.

We’re looking for volunteers to help us enhance and protect wetlands through the removal of invasive Common Reed (Phragmites). This aggressive invasive plant forms dense stands that crowd out native vegetation, reduce biodiversity, and degrade critical habitat for fish, birds, amphibians, and other wildlife. Invasive Phragmites is a significant threat to wetland ecosystems, particularly the rare coastal wetlands found around Collingwood. By helping to cut Phragmites stalks under the water with raspberry cane cutters, volunteers will play a critical role in restoring habitat and supporting healthier, more resilient wetlands.

We also have a special bird watching and invasive species removal event in the internationally significant Minesing Wetlands (Aug 19^th)! Spend some time spotting birds before rolling up your sleeves to protect their habitat! Meet us for a guided bird walk at 8am. If you can’t make it that early, join us at 9:30am to cut phragmites.

These events are excellent opportunity for students to earn high school volunteer hours. Students please remember to bring your forms! Please note that volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

See below for Invasive Phragmites removal opportunities and registration information:

Thursday August 13^th 9am to 3pm: Tiffin Wetlands in Essa – Day 1

Friday August 14^th 9am to 3pm: Tiffin Wetlands in Essa – Day 2

Saturday August 15^th 9am to 1pm: Hen and Chicken Island in Collingwood

Wednesday August 19^th 8am to 2pm: Binoculars & Boots: Explore and Restore the Minesing Wetlands!

Saturday August 22^nd: 9am to 1pm: Wyldewood Cove in partnership with Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy and Wyldewood Cove Condos in Collingwood

Please visit the NVCA Website in the ‘Upcoming Events’ section to register through Eventbrite. Some event registration links are still being finalized and will be posted shortly.

Please note: For full-day events, volunteers can participate for either the full day or a half day. See the Eventbrite registration pages for details. Additional locations will also be added.

Stay tuned as we will have more river restoration opportunities coming up on Willow Creek and fall community tree planting events across the watershed to look forward to!

Thank you for helping us to protect and restore local wetlands. We hope to see you out in the field this August!