Safe Wings Ottawa needs volunteers to help with building monitoring (patrolling), driving, rescuing birds, outreach and other tasks, especially during migration in spring (April to early June) and fall (August to early November), but also during the rest of the year. Training is provided. See below for descriptions of volunteer roles.
Building patroller/monitor
- Starting just before sunrise is ideal, but monitoring can be done throughout the day.
- You should be comfortable with the idea of picking up dead birds and handling injured birds safely. Training is provided.
- Must keep detailed notes, including when and where each bird is found. The data that we collect through monitoring is vital to determining the problem areas in Ottawa and helps us direct our future efforts.
- You are encouraged to choose a particular area or specific buildings to monitor on a regular basis. This approach is most efficient and rewarding, and provides the most valuable data.
Driver
Transport injured birds on short notice from Safe Wings volunteers or members of the public to our rehabber in Orleans, or to the Wild Bird Care Centre, for medical treatment. Pick up dead birds collected by members of the public.
- Must have a driver’s licence and access to a car on short notice.
- Must be willing to transport live birds safely. This means moving them as little as possible, keeping them level, and providing a cool, quiet environment (windows closed, no radio, no pets).
Rescuer
Respond to requests for help with injured birds.
- Must have experience handling live birds. Rescue/rehab experience is ideal.
- Must have a net, boxes, towels, leather gloves and other rescue equipment available, and be ready for anything.
- Must have good problem-solving and people skills.
- Must have a driver’s licence and access to a car on short notice.
Education, advocacy and outreach
Share our message on how to prevent window strikes. Review development proposals and draft correspondence to planners, building owners and operators. Help us plan and deliver local educational and fundraising events. Use your social media savvy to help us share the message online.
- Must be comfortable communicating with the public at various technical levels (generally basic) and staying consistent with Safe Wings messaging.
- Preference is given to volunteers who also volunteer for building monitoring, as this is the best way to become comfortable with and knowledgeable about our program.
Other
- We can always use help translating texts to French, maintaining the website and social media accounts, graphic design, organizing events, fundraising and more.
- We sometimes use emails to volunteers to ask for help with specific tasks.
Interested in one of these opportunities or have an idea about how you can share your skills in another way? Complete the application form today. You can also read our volunteer manual here.
