Volunteer Opportunities

The Loon Foundation is primarily a volunteer-run organization, and we rely on the generous contributions of community members to make what we do possible. We are always seeking new volunteers to join the team – whether you’re interested in monitoring in the field, organizing events, or working at the Iris & Billy Griffith Nature Centre, there is always plenty to do!

C U R R E N T E V E N T S

  • The EarthFair Store hosted the second annual Scrabble Tournament January 24 - 26 (Weds - Fri) to celebrate the 2024 Literacy Week! Attendees were provided with boards, dictionaries, and a cozy seat by the fire while they flexed their vocabulary skills.

  • We have wrapped up our salmon spawn surveys for this season, with chum having peaked early! Surveys run annually from September - December with some variation dependent on the year’s runs.

    If you are interested in participating in future surveys with our team, contact jenn@openpods.com to subscribe to our volunteer newsletter!

  • From December 1 - 22 the 2023 BioBlitz took place with 178 registered participants recording 828 observations and 352 species in total! This citizen science program helps to engage the public and catalogue the biodiversity throughout the Sunshine Coast.

    For more information, check out our project page on iNaturalist!

  • This winter, the Coastal Forage Fish Network has organized the first Pacific Sand Lance Day to help raise awareness about this pivotal, but little known species. The day was a huge success two of the five surveyed beaches testing positive for forage fish eggs!

    A huge thank you to all our volunteers and partners through the Coastal Forage Fish Network.

  • This winter’s rocky intertidal surveys were a a huge success with volunteers joining staff in the late evenings to survey Baker Beach and Irvines Landing. The surveys provided the chance to view and record some lesser-seen organisms due to the cooler water, giving us insight into the temporospatial dynamics of our coastal marine residents.

    If you are interested in participating in future intertidal surveys with our team, contact jenn@openpods.com to get subscribed to our volunteer newsletter!

P A S T E V E N T S

  • FF beach surveys have started up again! The surveys are fast and simple, taking approximately 2hrs from start to finish with the exception of Thormanby Island surveys. Transects are set along the high tide line and sand samples are collected to look for evidence of beach spawning. The intent is to document Pacific sand lance and surf smelt spawning beaches along the coast of BC.

    If you are interested in participating please contact our Field Research Supervisor, Jenn, at jenn@openpods.com.

  • Juvenile Salmon (smolt) surveys are set to begin in March 2024. This survey generally takes 1-2 hours and is simple to carry out. A seine net is used from dock and beach sites and measurements and health assessments are quickly completed so fish can be released. Generally Chum, Coho and Chinook salmon are found, however 2024 is a Pink year so we expect to find those smolts as well. In addition to the salmonids, all bycatch is recorded- you never know what will be found! One of our team’s favourites has been the opalescent squid.

    If you are interested in participating please contact our Field Research Supervisor, Jenn, at jenn@openpods.com.

  • Invasive European Green Crab (EGC) surveys will begin towards the end of March 2024. These surveys are intended as an “Early Detection Rapid Response” method to prevent the crabs from gaining s foothold in our monitoring regions. Baited prawn traps are set within muddy areas to try and capture any EGC that may be present. We have captured 8 individuals since 2020, with no occurrences in 2023. Despite this, it is important to stay vigilant! Surveys take place over 2 days with deployment (~45 min) on the first retrieval (~1 - 1.5hrs) on the second. All organisms are recorded and crab species are sexed, measured and released (unless they are an EGC).

    If you are interested in participating please contact our Field Research Supervisor, Jenn, at jenn@openpods.com.

  • The Thormanby Island Rocky Intertidal Survey is one of the biggest surveys we undertake. It takes ~4 - 5hrs in total, depending on the number of volunteers present. Surveys are completed along transects running from the high tide to water line, counting all the organisms found within the quadrats. Sturdy shoes are required for this survey and it is suggested to bring a cushion or knee pads as the counts are typically done sitting or kneeling. The rocks are not comfortable!

    If you are interested in participating please contact our Field Research Supervisor, Jenn, at jenn@openpods.com.

The Loon Foundation oversees these different entities, and they are all run within the same volunteer program. If you wish to volunteer for PODS, you’re in the right place!

Please fill out the form below if you are interested in volunteering!