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Volunteer with BC Parks

Volunteer with BC Parks

BC Parks is proud to work with a diverse team of volunteers across the province. Our volunteers help with a wide range of stewardship initiatives, from trail maintenance to interpretation. They play an essential role in the work we do.

Want to be a part of the BC Parks community, learn more about our work, and meet like-minded people? There are many exciting ways to bring your knowledge and skills to BC Parks. This page outlines our volunteer programs:

For questions about volunteering with BC Parks, contact bcparks.volunteers@gov.bc.ca.

Volunteer partners

We encourage community involvement in our work, and we partner with local volunteer organizations throughout B.C. You can get involved by forming a partner organization in your community or volunteering with an existing BC Parks partner.

Form a partner organization

To be eligible for the Volunteer Partner Program, your organization must be:

  • A legally incorporated entity (typically under B.C.’s Societies Act)
  • Interested in and capable of helping with our recreation or stewardship work
  • Fully prepared to supervise the activities of volunteers

Volunteer with a partner organization

Interested in learning more about volunteering with a partner organization? Find one near you in the list below, or email us at bcparks.volunteers@gov.bc.ca.

West Coast:

South Coast:

Kootenay-Okanagan:

Thompson-Cariboo:

The North:

Backcountry hosts

The Backcountry Host Program offers volunteers a one-of-a-kind, immersive volunteering experience in British Columbia's backcountry. Backcountry hosts volunteer to stay in a remote backcountry cabin or yurt at a popular hiking location. They typically stay for one to four weeks at a time during the summer.

Every backcountry host plays an important role in enhancing the visitor experience. Backcountry hosts greet park visitors and provide them with location-specific information. Other responsibilities vary depending on the location.

Backcountry host opportunities are only available at the locations listed below. If you are interested in one of these positions, review the information sheet and complete the application form. Each application form includes the contact email address to submit your application.

Applications for backcountry host positions are now open. Applications are reviewed on a first come, first served basis. Review the information sheets before applying. If you have any questions, email bcparks.volunteers@gov.bc.ca.

Kakwa Park

Spatsizi Plateau Wilderness Park (Cold Fish Lake Campground)

Strathcona Park (Croteau Lake)

Ecological reserve wardens

Ecological reserve wardens are the eyes and ears of BC Parks in the province’s ecological reserves. They support BC Parks staff with invasive plant control, plant and wildlife inventory, trespass monitoring, and many other tasks. These dedicated volunteers serve a vital role in the long-term protection of B.C.’s ecological reserves.

Ecological reserve wardens are volunteers who come from a wide variety of backgrounds. These include naturalists, foresters, biologists, and many other passionate individuals with interest in these special natural spaces.

You can find more information about the program in the ecological reserve warden program overview. This document describes the roles, duties, and responsibilities of volunteer wardens. It can also help you determine if a warden position is a good fit for your skills and interests.

Become an ecological reserve warden

In the spring of each year, ecological reserves with vacancies will be posted on this webpage, along with an online application form.

To be notified when applications are being accepted, email bcparks.volunteers@gov.bc.ca.

Park hosts

The Park Host Program is an important hospitality service available to visitors in some campgrounds and marine parks. Park hosts enhance visitor services, greet visitors, and provide information about things to do in the park and surrounding area.

Campground hosts

Park operators are currently seeking hosts at campgrounds in parks across the province. For more information on opportunities and how to apply, select a park from the list below.

Campground hosts report directly to park operators and are not technically considered BC Parks’ volunteers.

Parks with campground host programs:

Volunteer awards

Every year, hundreds of people and organizations donate their time and energy to care for B.C.’s parks and protected areas. To acknowledge the work of volunteers who go above and beyond, we created the BC Parks Volunteer Awards.

To see this year’s award recipients, visit the volunteer awards page.