Park Steward Program 2010

To download our Park Steward information package and application form, click here.

Interested in experiencing the Bruce Peninsula first hand, while at the same time helping nature? The Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory is offering a Park Steward program at the Research Station in Cabot Head Provincial Nature Reserve. 

Spend a week this summer at Wingfield Cottage, enjoying the rustic setting, appreciating the pristine, isolated location and spending some time performing a number of volunteer stewardship duties, which may include performing minor maintenance, recording observations and providing information to sailboaters, kayakers and others visiting the property.

Be a volunteer who accepts “roughing it” cottage facilities, and who is willing to spend time as a "paying steward". The cost is $550.00 a week ($500 plus a $50 donation to our Capital Reserve Fund). The cottage is available between June 12th and August 7th, 2010.

Overview

The Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory will once again be hosting the Park Steward program at the Cabot Head Research Station. Below you will find a brief job description. In addition, there is a downloadable application form for you to print, fill out and return.

Should you apply, please indicate in a covering letter what additional skills you would be willing and able to share while you are volunteering at the Research Station. These skills could range from plumbing, window/screen repair, painting, basic carpentry and masonry to developing protocols for some type of inventory research. Please include in your covering letter any information about your background and hobbies as they might relate to the resources and/or maintenance of the Research Station and environs at Cabot Head.

Why
The Park Steward program at the research station at Cabot Head Provincial Nature Reserve helps ensure that people are present onsite during the summer when migration monitoring is not active.

Where
Cabot Head Research Station, Wingfield Basin, Cabot Head Provincial Nature Reserve. The Research Station is literally at the end of the road, situated in a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and Dark Sky Community. You'll be staying within a pristine wilderness location with wonderful opportunities for exploration, birding, botanizing, and just relaxing. Facilities are rustic. Wingfield Cottage has two bedrooms, a washroom, kitchen and a large living room. We may be able to offer Stewards our larger facility, Grebe Lodge, should we not garner enough bookings from university or workshop groups. Please enquire via email or telephone (contact info below).

Who
People who are interested in enjoying the out of doors in a rustic setting while at the same time performing a limited number of volunteer duties primarily involving upkeep and maintenance.

When
For periods of up to one week from June 12th to August 7th, 2010, from Saturday to Saturday.

Duties
A "job jar" list of minor stewardship duties will be provided to each Park Steward. These jobs could include: carrying out minor maintenance (painting, cutting grass, etc); recording observations; providing management messages to boaters and others visiting the property.

Natural Hazards
Poison ivy is quite prevalent in the area. Good hiking boots afford decent protection. You should also be aware that the endangered eastern massasauga rattlesnake is endemic to the area, as is the black bear.

Cost
To be a Park Steward at this unique location on the Bruce Peninsula, there is a $550.00 charge per one week stay. ($500 plus a $50 donation to our General Reserve Fund). This money will be used to support the Migration Monitoring Program of BPBO and cover the cost of running and improving the site. An income tax receipt can be issued for $50. Please enquire.

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Application Process
We are looking for people who will enjoy the wilderness setting and rustic facilities, and who are willing to spend some time performing volunteer duties at the Station and environs.

Please indicate your preferred dates for participating as a Park Steward and an alternate set of dates in your application.

Please contact BPBO via email at info@bpbo.ca.

Ron Baker, our Site Administrator, can be reached at (519) 795-7652 with any enquiries for most of the year, however, during the months of January, February and March, please contact Bob Gray at (519) 371-9128.

To download our Park Steward information package and application form, click here.