Volunteer requirements for the B.C. Lake Stewardship and Monitoring Program

For Level 1 and 2 studies

Estimated time commitment: 1 hour or less per week

• Time commitment is minimal as a sampling event consisting of collecting secchi depth and surface temperature readings will take around 10 minutes to complete
• Usually these measurements are done weekly, and can be done from a dock, pier, or watercraft at any location on the lake
• A minimum of 12 sampling events per year is required

For more details about these studies, read our Level 1 study program overview page or Level 2 study program overview page.

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For Level 3 studies

Estimated time commitment: 1 to 2 hours or more either a bi-weekly or monthly cycle

• We generally estimate 1 hour of sampling time per site, per lake
• This does not include travel time to or from the site, nor between sites on lakes with multiple sampling locations
• Frequency of sampling for a Level 3 study varies from bi-weekly to monthly depending on the lake

For more details about this study, read our Level 3 study program overview page.

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For Level 4 and 5 studies

Estimated time commitment: long-term, multi-year commitment

Time commitment will depend on the breadth of the study parameters, which is specific to each lake and each project. These projects will likely span several years and are aimed at providing guidance for long term management and protection activities.

Training for volunteers is free.

The program staff will give you training on:

• Using monitoring or sampling equipment
• Fill out forms
• Fill and ship samples

When possible, in-person training is conducted where program staff will either provide training and equipment demonstration at the lake or at a pre-arranged alternate location. Virtual training can also be provided by video conference when available.

Training materials are also available online for each level of study.

Specific equipment required for the level of study will be provided by the program.

Volunteers are required to provide their own watercrafts, fuel and other equipment required for safe watercraft operation, including personal flotation devices. 

There is no reimbursement or compensation available for the following:

• watercraft purchase
• fuel
• repairs should the watercraft be damaged during a sampling event
• any of the other volunteer provided equipment

For all levels of study, volunteers are required to adhere to all safety requirements as well as any and all other legal statutes that apply in B.C. and Canada.

For Level 1 studies, volunteers are required to read and sign a B.C. Lake Stewardship Society safety waiver form (PDF). Once signed, insurance coverage is provided when volunteers are out lake sampling. If volunteers are collecting sampling data from a dock or pier, it can be conducted by a single volunteer. If sampling data is collected from a watercraft, it is required that volunteers conduct monitoring in pairs for safety.

For Level 2 or 3 studies, volunteers are required to review and sign a Ministry Volunteer Services Agreement and Consent and Release form. This form outlines volunteer responsibilities and requirements while participating in the program. Insurance coverage is also included. For safety, all Level 3 studies require a minimum of 2 volunteers be present for all monitoring events.