MTRI - Get Involved - Volunteers
The Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute (MTRI) is a non-profit co-operative with a mandate to advance collaborative research, monitoring, and management that promotes sustainable use of natural resources in southwestern Nova Scotia.
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MTRI Volunteers
There are many ways you can get involved in volunteering at MTRI. Students, staff, and researchers all need help with projects like Blanding's turtle nest protection, Monarch Butterfly Club, Old-growth forest monitoring, and loon watch, to name only a few. Drop by MTRI, or contact one of our staff, to find out more.
Volunteer Opportunities (Fall 2010)
We are currently looking for volunteers to help with searches for Ribbonsnakes as well as Boreal Felt Lichen.
Volunteer Opportunities (Summer 2011)
Next summer you can volunteer to help with the multitude of projects that go on at MTRI.
Loon Monitoring
Loons in the SNBR have been studied extensively and community involvement has been crucial to that research. Residents that live on lakes and other volunteers record their sightings of Common Loon pairs and loon chicks and have greatly increased our understanding of one of Canadas most beloved species of bird.
Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora
MTRI is studying the populations of Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora (approximately 90 species of plants) unique to Southwestern Nova Scotia in Canada. We are looking for volunteers to:
1) Join our botanists and researchers to monitor lakeshores (thirty six lakes!) for these species
2) Conduct habitat monitoring by taking photos of lakeshores and
3) Conduct water sampling on the 36 lakes to establish baseline data for water quality.
Boreal Felt Lichen
Boreal Felt Lichen is considered Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). You can help by joining our staff, learning about lichens and helping with lichen surveys (experience not required, only enthusiasm!)
Turtle Nest Protection
Each year, for many years now, volunteers have contributed thousands (yes thousands) of hours toward the protection of turtle nests. Endangered turtles in Nova Scotia need the help of community members and volunteers to counteract increased predator populations, road mortality and other threats.
Ribbonsnake searches
The Eastern Ribbonsnake is elusive but with enough people helping out we can learn more about where this species lives and it's behavior and ecology.
Planting butterfly gardens
MTRI, Kejimkujik and many other partners have been gardens that benefit butterflies (and many other insects). You can help us plant these community gardens or get information on how to create or modify your own garden.
We are also looking for people to help around the field station or office.
Drop us a line and let us know when you are available!