BC Marine Trails Application for Coastal Caretaking at West Ballenas and other BCPF sites

The BC Parks Foundation (BCPF) is again collaborating with BC Marine Trails (BCMT) on stewardship of West Ballenas Island as part of BCMT’s Coastal Caretakers' Program. Our aim is to recruit experienced volunteers from BC Marine Trails' Coastal Caretakers who plan to visit West Ballenas Island via kayak or boat during the summer when visitation levels are higher (June to September). Additionally, BCPF has asked if Coastal Caretakers would be willing to submit SCRs or Site Assessments for recently added BCPF sites.

When signing up for this project, select any of the sites in the dropdown menu and select your proposed dates. You can find the site locations by scrolling to the bottom of this form and zooming in on the map.

Volunteers must complete the BCMT Waiver on our website and be signed on as Coastal Caretakers who agree to give VOICE to the sites they explore by:
  • Visiting the site (by kayak or other means)
  • Observing any signs of human impact (e.g. fire activity, debris, trampling)
  • Interacting with visitors (greeting/educating about sensitive ecosystems and responsible recreation)
  • Caretaking (minor cleanups of debris to return the site to its natural state and taking photos of unique plants or patches of vegetation)
  • Exchanging data and photos with BCMT through our Site Condition Reports (SCRs). Thank you!

As West Ballenas and other newly added BCPF sites are a special collaboration, we ask that Coastal Caretakers include in their Site Condition Reports the number of visitors they met, what visitors were doing for activities and the length of time at the islands.

Each volunteer is asked to commit to visiting West Ballenas Island or one of the new sites for one or two days between June and September. We ask that volunteers select the week(s) that works best with their schedule and then choose the best weather day (or days) during that week for their visit. One of the privileges of this project is that Coastal Caretakers for West Ballenas Island and other sites have special permission from BC Parks Foundation to camp overnight while carrying out Coastal Caretaking duties. We ask that you not camp on the bluffs.
Training material on public engagement, how to be a good Coastal Caretaker, and the natural and cultural history of West Ballenas Island is available for volunteers via a Zoom meeting and/or email communication with Karina Younk. Information about additional sites will be a collaboration between volunteers, BCMT and BCPF. Your input will help shape future plans for each site.
This partnership with the BCPF is not open to the general public. West Ballenas Island and other recently acquired BCPF sites are still privately held by the BC Parks Foundation and we are keeping our data-collection work low-key by not promoting public visitation. With the help of Coastal Caretakers, BCPF is seeking to have eyes on the ground through the summer months, especially to look out for and report fire activity or other human impacts and to assist with site monitoring of the main habitats of each site. An additional aspect of our work on West Ballenas is that we have permission to: 1) remove English Ivy and Himalayan Blackberry when we find patches, 2) continue working on the mid-island trail, 3) camp at small clearing behind the concrete ramp (2-3 tents) at SW beach. For all other sites, please confirm with Karina whether camping is permitted before heading out.
Click into the map below to view recently added BCPF sites, and West Ballenas. BCPF is requesting SCRs or Site Assessments for these new sites. 

Please fill in the form below.

BC Marine Trails Experience(s)

Caution: West Ballenas Island is considered both close and remote. Winds can rise quickly and can be strong. Therefore, volunteer paddlers must have a good understanding of wind, weather, and currents and be able to paddle in 15 knot winds.

Coastal Caretaker Experience(s)

Volunteers must have signed up as a BCMT Coastal Caretaker

Participation requirements (all boxes must be checked to apply) *

Preferred Volunteer Week(s) at West Ballenas or at New BCPF Sites

Please check the week or weeks where you think you would be available to visit Ballenas or one of the new BCPF sites for a day or to camp overnight. Remember, you commit to a specific week or weeks and then select the best weather day or days that work for you within your selected week. If you are unable to go or plans change, simply send an email to kyounk@bcmarinetrails.org.

Other Volunteering Opportunities with BC Marine Trails (Optional)

If you would like to be more involved as a volunteer with BC Marine Trails, please let us know your skill areas! We can always use more help!