Volunteer
Interested in helping out?
We are forever grateful for the folks that choose to do the work and get their hands dirty.
By joining in, you are directly helping with decolonization efforts. Removing invasive plants heals not only the land, but brings together community and fosters a relationship between people and place.
Please sign up for our email list below.
UPCOMING IVY PULLS
~ 2025 dates ~
(subject to change)
Events will be taking place on the last Saturday of the month unless otherwise stated.
☼ March 29th (Special Bird Service members only)
☼ April 25th (Friday) (( registration opens early April ))
☼ May 24th
☼ June 28th
☼ July 25th (Friday)
☼ August 29th (Friday)
☼ Sept 27th
☼ Oct 25th
☼ Nov 29th
RSVP links and W̱IP emails with details and address will be posted at the beginning of each month.
What to expect
Each day begins in circle, introducing ourselves and acknowledging our relationality to the land and each other. We typically work from 10:00am - 12:00pm, break for lunch at noon, then continue the work until 2:00pm. Feel free to come late / leave early.
Tools and gloves can be provided, but we encourage folks to bring their own gloves. Water and washrooms are available on site in the adjacent house. No experience necessary! Please prioritize parking on the long driveway rather than the road. The road is designated for overflow parking.
The actual task at hand is pulling ivy out of the ground and ideally getting the root. This can be easily done by hand as the ivy is shallow, but tools are sometimes necessary and can be provided. Happy to do a demonstration! The ivy will be removed from the forest in big bags and piled on the driveway.
Bring a water bottle, lunch, long sleeves/pants, and anything else you might need for a day in the forest.
We end in circle with gratitude and optional reflections which is a valuable part of the day, but please come late and/or leave early if you need.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions!
10:00am — arrive/settle in
~ help yourself to tea & snacks!
10:15 — introduction circle
~ typical protocol is name, pronouns, ancestry, or feel free to pass
10:30 — work begins
(pulling ivy mostly by hand on the forest floor ~ demonstrations available)
12:00pm — lunch!
(BYOL - bring your own lunch)
12:30/45 — continue ivy pulling
1:45 — closing circle
reflections/ideas/sharing/witness
2:00 — thank you for coming! hope to see you next time :)
Accessibility
We want to welcome all levels of ability to join in on this meaningful work. At this time, the terrain can be mild to moderate with more difficult land that requires high stepping over logs, shrubs, and other obstacles. The main entrance to the site is a steep dirt mound that's about 2ft high. Tripping hazards are inevitable due to the nature of the forest floor.
There is a ramp that leads to the washrooms with a swing gate at the top that leads to the house. There is a slight lip at the bottom of the ramp, so it may be difficult for a wheelchair to get over. We have not tested if a wheelchair could fit through the hallway and into the bathroom. We're working on this.
There are 3 pet dogs (two are small - medium and one is medium - large) that live in the house adjacent to the site. We often try to keep them inside while we work, but they sometimes they can be running through the restoration site. They are over friendly, so may want to become your friend by jumping on you or licking you. Please inform us about any concerns.
Environmental restoration is not only a physical activity. Your presence and good intentions are always welcomed even if you sit in the forest with everyone. Joining in on a volunteer day can be a learning experience for anyone, wherever they are. We'd love to accept folks who journal, draw, meditate, or contribute to the project with softer activities like these.
We're still learning how to make this space accessible for everyone. Please let us know if you have any ideas, feedback, or concerns about the space. We hope that you feel safe and secure when you visit the forest.