Volunteer at East Limestone Island

Volunteers at East Limestone Island have the unique opportunity to immerse themselves fully in our field research and monitoring work. Depending on the week you choose, you may find yourself monitoring Ancient Murrelet chicks by remote camera, embarking on a sea survey, cetacean watches, or monitoring local song bird populations.

As a volunteer, you will be trained by our resident biologists on various activities, before participating directly in them. It is an amazing opportunity to work at a remote research station in a pristine wilderness environment! Best of all? You don't need any experience to become one of our "citizen scientists"!

2026 FIELD SEASON APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

Check back soon for 2027 applications

    • Duration: Volunteers spend 1 week on East Limestone Island throughout the duration of our field season (April - July annually). We accept 1-2 volunteers at a time, and all travel to and from field camp occurs on Friday mornings.

    • Cost: We ask volunteers to pay a $500 fee to our organization, in order to help offset the cost of transportation to ELI and your food while there. Any additional donation is much appreciated, and tax receipts will be issued for amounts over the initial fee.

    • Eligibility Requirements: All we ask is that our "citizen scientists" have an interest in the environment and outdoors. All volunteers will live at our remote field camp for a week in a tent, and will cook communally with our staff and other volunteers. Daily tasks do involve physical activity, and you should be prepared to walk on wilderness trails and climb in and out of boats. At this time we cannot host non-local youth.

    • Medical Requirements: Please ensure that you have had a tetanus vaccination within the last 10 years. Out of province volunteers will need travel insurance that would cover the costs of an emergency medical evacuation from East Limestone Island.

    • How to Apply: You can apply online or download our application. Please contact us if you have not heard back within two weeks, (or one week if field season is only a few weeks away). Your spot will be confirmed once we receive your payment (cheque, e-transfer or through the “Donation” link on this website. If you pay via our website please include an additional $11.20 processing fee). Please note, the volunteer fee is non-refundable as volunteer spaces are limited and replacement bookings would not be feasible.

    • Haida Gwaii Pledge: Created by the Council of the Haida Nation, this pledge brings awareness and respect to Haida Gwaii and Haida ways of being. Please follow the link to read and sign the Haida Gwaii Pledge. https://haidagwaiipledge.ca/

Can't volunteer for field camp but still interested in helping out?

When field season is over we are always looking for volunteers to help with cleaning, data entry, outreach activities, marketing, fundraising, etc.  If you are available and want to help, please contact us!

Looking for more information? Check out these resources.

Packing List
Travel Information
Volunteer Guide

  • "Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to participate in your research. I am a high school teacher and what I have learned will be of great assistance in teaching my students about ecosystems, population dynamics, and climate change."

    — Carol Schwartz

  • "We spend a lot of time in the back country hiking, skiing, etc, but never do we sit down and truly look and listen to our surroundings for extended periods of time. We're usually passing through. This [experience] filled my heart in such a different way and will change how I travel in the future."

    — Robyn Dell

  • "It's wonderful to see how much support and encouragement the Society gets for this project. Bird research is so important, more so now that the environment changes rapidly due to human/society's impact. We will hopefully will be back again!"

    — Claire Ebendimer & Yves Parizeau

  • "Thanks for a great and unique experience! My seven days here were filled with great learning experiences, wonderful interactions with nature & the wild, great food and laughter. I truly appreciate all your hard work, patience and perseverance in pulling this all off."

    — Paul Rasmussen

  • "The end of another season on ELI. The past 9 years have been full of interesting experiences and hilarious moments - many of them on this lovely island. It has been wonderful to get to know a place so well, to explore the surrounding islands and get familiar with the plants, animals and environment. Volunteers continue to bring new ideas and perspectives and remind us of what a unique experience this place provides... as I'm sure it will be for years to come."

    — Jake Pattison