Behind-the-Scenes Science

The Kejimkujik Southwest Nova Volunteer Program is a group of organizations (including Parks Canada, Friends of Keji, Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute and Bird Studies Canada) and individuals working to help species at risk and enhance environmental conservation in and around Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site and Kejimkujik National Park - Seaside.

Stewards help to protect endangered Blanding’s turtle nests, survey the shoreline with botanists for rare Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora species, monitor changes in water quality, create habitat for the Monarch Butterfly, monitor and track brook trout, survey and participate in research for the endangered Piping Plover, search for Eastern Ribbonsnakes, count loons on lakes in southwest Nova Scotia, provide information to visitors in the Keji campground, help remove exotic species like glossy buckthorn and green crabs, and much more.

Volunteer opportunities

Volunteers work directly with researchers and staff on a range of projects to restore, protect, monitor and conserve the greater Kejimkujik ecosystem. As a volunteer, you will gain a deeper connection to this extraordinary natural environment. At the same time, you’ll play a very important role in helping to preserve and protect the animals and plants that depend on healthy habitats to survive.

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Piping Plover Monitoring - Keji Seaside

Get involved in Piping Plover surveys at the Keji Seaside and help to monitor and locate plover pairs, and assist with a cutting-edge predator camera project. In the fall, work with the team to restore piping plover nesting habitat. Volunteers can also also pitch in with the annual beach cleanup, which reduces the garbage build-up on key beaches used by these birds and other wildlife.
Months: Plover nesting surveys (May-July), Habitat Restoration (August-September)

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Blanding’s Turtle Monitoring

In June, volunteers can participate in Blanding’s turtle nest monitoring at Kejimkujik, McGowan Lake and Pleasant River and protect turtle nests once they are laid with enclosures. This reduces nest predation by raccoons and increases the number of young turtles in the population. Volunteers can also assist with radio-tracking throughout the summer and hatchling emergence in the fall.
Months: June (turtle nesting), June-November (radio-tracking), September-October (hatchling emergence)

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Monarch Butterfly Gardens

The Monarch Butterfly is a species at risk that requires the milkweed plant to survive. Join the Butterfly Club and create habitat for this species by planting a chemical free butterfly garden on your property! Friends of Keji obtained funding from the Canadian Wildlife Federation to plant butterfly gardens around southwest Nova Scotia with benches and interpretive signs. Check out the butterfly gardens in Kejimkujik and MTRI, and the interactive butterfly display at the Keji Visitor Centre.
Months: July-September

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American Eel Monitoring

In Kejimkujik, eel research began in 2011 to learn more about population size and distribution of adult American eels in the park. Volunteers can get involved in research for this fascinating species by helping researchers set and pull live traps (or "eel pots"), and weigh and measure the eels before they are released back into the lake.
Months: June- August

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LoonWatch

A Keji classic! In Kejimkujik volunteers paddle the lakes looking for loons and chicks in the park in one day in June and August. For the Mersey LoonWatch program volunteers monitor loons throughout the summer at a lake they live near. In 2010, Kejimkujik LoonWatchers witnessed an increase in loon nesting success over previous years, they counted 64 adults and 8 chicks in August - the most since 2001.
Months: late May and late August

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Brook Trout Creel Census

Join our team of fly fishing volunteers and collect data on fishing success, fish size, age and health condition. Share your experience and knowledge with other passionate fishermen like you! Fly fishing experience required.
Months: late April to June 30th

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Aquatic Connectivity Restoration

After surveying barrier to fish movement within Keji waterways in 2008 and 2009, it’s now time for action. Join us to help fish population by restoring fish passage by assisting in water quality monitoring, fish habitat characterization, stream flow monitoring and restoration work.
Months: late May to early September

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Estuary Therapy - Keji Seaside

Using specially designed traps, about 200,000 green crabs were removed from Keji Seaside in 2010. Volunteers can participate in boat navigation and trap handling, recording measurements and collecting other data. As the project progresses, volunteers will be needed for restoring eelgrass meadows and clam flats.
Months: July-September

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Salamander Monitoring

The salamander abundance is used as indicator of the forest health. Every year in the fall, staff and volunteers visit forest plots and look for those secretive forest creatures. Volunteers assist with salamander identification and count in remote backcountry forest stands.
Months: Mid-September to early October

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Other volunteer opportunities:

Other volunteer opportunities:

• Search for the elusive Eastern Ribbonsnake by helping with visual surveys
• Survey for rare Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora with expert botanists
• Monitor the threatened Water-pennywort, which is only found on three lakes in Canada!
• Join the Friends of Keji and assist with visitor interpretive programs
• Become a campground host and visitor educator

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See also:

Species at Risk - Biodiversity Hotspot
Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute
Friends of Keji Co-operating Association
Species at Risk Guide
Bird Studies Canada