Every year, National Volunteer Week gives us an opportunity to recognize the many volunteers who give their time and talents to our communities. This year is especially meaningful, as it’s part of a larger movement. Ignite Volunteerism is a year-long effort to elevate the role of civic participation, rebuild volunteer infrastructure, and celebrate volunteer stories.
We see the positive impacts of volunteers across the region every day through their generosity, energy, and commitment to strengthen our communities. Across the region, CRD volunteers are involved in a wide variety of roles that support community safety, promote environmental stewardship, and inform long-term planning.
Here are just a few of the ways volunteers are making a difference every day:
Volunteer Park Stewards
Park Stewards are the eyes and ears of regional parks! They travel the trails by foot, bicycle, or horse, reporting on any issues in the park like damaged infrastructure, downed trees blocking trails, or vandalized signs. They are there to help park visitors with questions about the park and trails, the local ecosystem, and good park etiquette. Park Stewards are often the first to discover an issue and report it directly to CRD staff so that any issues can be quickly resolved. In 2025, Park Stewards donated over 2,600 hours of their time in over 1,300 volunteer shifts, supporting the care and enhancement of our parks for the benefit of all visitors.
Emergency Program Volunteers
Emergency Program volunteers in Juan de Fuca, Salt Spring Island, and the Southern Gulf Islands are the foundation behind our emergency program and consistently volunteer their time to support our communities in emergency preparedness, education, radio communications, response and so much more.
Bike Count Volunteers
Each year our bike count volunteers devote time to help shape the capital region and contribute to a safer and more accessible cycling community. Since 2011, hundreds of volunteers have played a vital role in tracking bike volumes, providing essential data that informs future infrastructure and sustainable travel choices.
Esquimalt Lagoon Stewardship Initiative Volunteers
In partnership with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Esquimalt Lagoon Stewardship Initiative volunteers monitor the lagoon for the highly invasive European Green Crab. This work involves monthly crab trapping and identification between April and September each year. The volunteers doing this work are protecting eelgrass meadows that serve as nurseries for herring and salmon, while also shielding shellfish from invasive Green Crabs, keeping the ecosystem healthy for generations to come.
There are many ways to get involved as a CRD volunteer, whether your interests lie in nature conservation, emergency preparedness, or active transportation.
Learn more about current opportunities to volunteer.
