Volunteer events

Volunteer for one of our scheduled activities. Come as a party of one or bring family and friends. These events focus on citizen science, and habitat and endangered species restoration.

To register, pre-register or request more information, click on the link at the end of the activity description. Alternatively, phone 403-859-5167 or email wlnp-volunteer@pc.gc.ca.

Park entry is free for registered volunteers on the days of your volunteer activities. You are responsible for your own travel, meals, and accommodations while volunteering.

Burdock control

Weekdays, September through October

Do it for the wildlife! Be a habitat hero by removing burdock plant seeds. Burdock burrs stick to wildlife (and visitors) to spread their seeds. Did you know the seeds of this tall, striking plant inspired the invention of Velcro? This pesky plant can damage habitats and isn’t fun to encounter on the trails.

Good to know: Be prepared for a half-day outside. Wear clothing that burrs don’t easily stick to!

  Register to control burdock plants

Butterfly BioBlitz

Mid to late July

Come be a lepidopterist for a day! Join butterfly experts and Parks Canada staff to catch, identify and learn about butterflies. The experts will handle the butterflies, so none are harmed, and you can still see them up close. This event is great for the whole family.

Good to know: You will travel in your own vehicle to designated locations in the park. Prepare for a full day outside.

  Register for the Butterfly BioBlitz

Christmas Bird Count

Late December. Count week runs three days before and after weekend count day.

Did you know that 92 different bird species have been recorded here in winter? Grab your binoculars and join us!

No experience necessary. If you are a beginner, we will share resources to get you started ahead of time. This self-guided activity is available all week long at select locations in the park. Make sure to join us for the count day wrap-up gathering! We also report mammal sightings and tracks during this long-running, annual count.

For information on bird watching in Waterton Lakes, visit our bird watching page.

  Register for the Christmas Bird Count

Knapweed rodeo

Mid to late July

Wrangle up your posse and pitch in with Parks Canada staff on this fun day of prizes, games and friendly competitions to help us control spotted knapweed. Don’t forget your cowboy hat and sunscreen!

Every bit helps to control this ecosystem damaging, invasive plant. A single plant can produce up to 140,000 seeds every year!

  Register for the knapweed rodeo

Salamander habitat hero

Late March into April (weekdays)

When you drive into the Waterton village, you pass through the land of the long-toed salamander. Volunteer to keep the wildlife crossing tunnels and guardrails free from debris and the fencing leading to them impenetrable. This infrastructure helps reduce salamander road kills as they travel to and from Linnet Lake. All sorts of wildlife – not only salamanders – will benefit from your help!

Good to know: We will be working on steep slopes and using hand tools.

There may also be a September volunteer project if required.

  Register for the salamander habitat hero event

Shoreline cleanup

First Saturdays of May and September

Don’t let the wind blow litter away! Volunteers and Parks staff team up with divers from Awesome Adventures to scour Waterton's shorelines for trash.

This is a citizen science project: we count and record the types of trash we pick up and send the data to the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup national coordinator. The data is also used in the park to track trends and inform operations.

  Register for the shoreline cleanup

Spring Bird Count

First weekend in June

Celebrate spring and learn about the birds that are back in the park! Join the growing number of citizen scientists identifying and counting birds. Volunteer for one or both days of the count.

No experience necessary. If you are a beginner, we will help you get started ahead of time. Volunteer one or both days. This is a self-guided activity at select locations in the park. Make sure to stick around for the Saturday wrap-up gathering!

The spring bird count in Waterton Lakes National Park supports Alberta's province-wide, annual spring count.

  Register for Spring Bird Count

Spring flower count

Last Saturday in May

A wonderful opportunity to explore the park and learn about the area’s many plants from an experienced botanist.

We start together as a group on Saturday morning. If you want to volunteer for longer, the supervisor will get you counting at other sites. The data contributes to monitoring climate change as part of this annual, Alberta-wide snapshot.

Good to know: Some previous experience identifying plants is helpful. Don’t forget your flower ID book!

  Register for spring flower count

Tree planting: limber and whitebark pine

September and October

Volunteer to help park staff with the restoration of restoration of limber and whitebark pines by planting seedlings. These endangered species is an important part of the Rocky Mountain ecosystem that’s threatened by white pine blister rust, a history of fire suppression and the effects of climate change. Sites are often accessed by steep, off-trail hiking, so this activity is recommended for fit, experienced hikers.

Good to know: Between steep, long hikes and repeated planting, this is a full day (up to 8 hours) activity. Bring your own lunch!

  Register to plant limber pines

Tree planting: limber pine orchard

September and October

Volunteers are needed to support our orchard of disease-resistant young limber pines so they can begin producing seeds. Help us plant, fertilize, water and tarp-protect these valuable trees at our orchard. We will work alongside you and provide detailed planting instructions.

Good to know: It’s a short walk from the parking area to the orchard. Bring lunch and be prepared for up to six hours of light physical labour. Tools to be provided.

  Register to plant in the limber pine orchard

Tree transplanting

Weekdays in May

Get a group together and plant trees! Lodgepole pines have regrown following the 2017 Kenow wildfire. Some trees are encroaching on trails and need to be moved. Help us dig up, transport, and replant the pines throughout the park. Prepare for a half-day outside. Some hiking and physical labour is involved.

Good to know: Great for groups of 15 to 20, including older school groups.

  Register to transplant trees

Volunteer day assistant host

May to mid-September

Support Parks Canada staff with hosting volunteer events! If you’re organized and outgoing, enjoy event setup and you love assisting people with activities, then this is for you! We’re looking for support at the following events (sign up for one or more):

• Shoreline cleanup, May 3 and September 6
• Adopt-a-Patch kickoff, June 21
• Butterfly Bioblitz, July 19
• Knapweed Rodeo, July 26
• Burdock control, September TBD

Good to know: This activity is ideal for those who have previously volunteered in Waterton with Parks Canada.

  Register to be a volunteer day assistant host

Wildflower and native grass planting

September and October

Volunteer with Parks Canada restoration teams to plant native grasses and flowers throughout the park.

All species are grown in Glacier National Park's nursery from seeds collected by volunteers and staff in Waterton Lakes. This is part of several cooperative projects between the two parks.

Good to know: This activity involves some off-trail travel and repetitive physical movements as you plant.

  Register for grass and wildflower planting

Wildflower and native grasses seed collection

July and August

Did you know that more than half of flowering plant species recorded in Alberta can be found in Waterton Lakes National Park?

Join Parks Canada staff in collecting native plant seeds. The seeds are grown to seedlings in Montana at Glacier’s state-of-the-art nursery, and then they are returned to help restore disturbed places in the park.

  Register for seed collection

Campground hosts

Belly River Campground: May long weekend through September (Labour Day) long weekend

Are you friendly, outgoing and like helping others? Love camping? Have two weeks to spare? Consider volunteering as a campground host at Belly River Campground.

Campground hosts greet visitors and give them important information about Parks Canada and Waterton Lakes National Park. You help visitors know the ins and outs of the park to have the best experience possible and coordinate with Parks Canada staff for support as necessary.

Campground hosts are provided with a campsite.

Good to know: Campground hosts must have their own self-contained camping unit and commit to stay at least two weeks, including weekends. Belly River Campground campsites can accommodate camping units under 9 metres (32 feet) in length. There are no electric, water or sewer hookups in the campground. Experienced hosts may be given first choice of dates.

  Apply to be a campground host