What is like to take part in a Wilderness Volunteer in Canada Program?

Wilderness Volunteer program provides guaranteed placement with a registered charities. You’ll be working on projects focused on wildlife rehabilitation or environmental conservation. This program provides structured, full-time and hands-on meaningful work. Therefore, you will contribute to the environment while also building your skills set and improving your English and French skills too.

Through this program, you can also meet your university internship requirements in the areas of natural science. For example, if you study biology, geology, forestry or animal science, this is an ideal program for you.

Other internship programs might require an IEC work permit. However, this program only requires a C50 work permit that you apply for when you arrive. As a result, this is an excellent alternative to Working Holiday or Internship Co-op permits.

What are the requirements for Wilderness Volunteer in Canada Program?

This program is ideal if you are:

• 18 and above (no upper age limit)
• Motivated and passionate
• In good physical and mental health
• Able to lift at least 15 kg
• Able to maneuver over rough terrain, where there are sometimes no roads or walkways
• Healthy and don’t have a medical condition that requires frequent care (as placements are far from cities or emergency treatment)
• Willing to live in a remote location without regular access to facilities such as internet or shops
• High intermediate level of English or French
• Willing to commit to minimum 20 hours per week
• Able to financially support themselves for the duration of the placement

The C50 Permit is available now, with no uncertainty, waiting periods, or long application process. The C50 Charitable Worker Permit is available at the airport upon your arrival to Canada. We will provide you with the necessary documents to support your request for the C50 Work Permit.

What are my placement options in the Wilderness Volunteer Program?

Environmental Conservation placements at organizations involved in:

• Repairing rivers and streams,
• Cataloging invasive and native plant species,
• Clearing wilderness areas and restoring trails

This is physical work, typically done with wilderness organizations, environmental research organizations, public or private parks or wilderness areas adjacent to recreation areas. Participants can, for example, stay in cabins or tents since they participate in strenuous work as part of a team of volunteers.

Where can I be a Wilderness Volunteer?

Wilderness Volunteer placements are done in rural and wilderness areas in 4 regions – each of roughly equal population:

British Columbia (English Speaking)

Westernmost province of Canada, located between the Pacific Ocean and Rocky Mountains. The Coast Mountains and Inside Passage’s inlets provide renowned and spectacular scenery. Therefore, outdoor adventures are guaranteed. And most importantly, because of its mild climate, Wilderness Volunteer placements in BC are available year-round.

Destination airport: Vancouver

Western Canada (English Speaking)

This region includes the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. It includes the Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, and sub-arctic. Because of this, Western Canada hosts the greatest diversity of placements. Thus the placements are most remote, and isolated from urban centres. Volunteer work is availabe year-round, hence to the moderate climate in the western most portions the region.

Destination Airports:, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg.

Central Canada (English Speaking)

This region is contained within Canada’s most densely-populated province – Ontario. Placements are concentrated in the region stretching from Ottawa to Windsor. Many placements are near small towns and cities. Because of this they focus on restoring green areas, or helping animals at the outskirts of settlement. Volunteers in this region are closer to major centres – therefore making this the ideal setting for volunteers that want to combine work with travel and sightseeing.

Destination Airport: Toronto Pearson International Airport.

French Canada (French Speaking)

This region is primarily contained with the province of Quebec, but also includes French-speaking areas of New Brunswick and Ontario. Similarly to Ontario in, placements are often closer to urban centres. However, this region is distinct in being French-speaking, and for this reason has a different culture, and way of life than in the rest of Canada.

Destination Airport: Montreal Trudeau International Airport. WVP participants can purchase this ticket at time of registration, as placement in the region is guaranteed.

Travel times from major cities average 6 hours by car or bus. Because these placements are remote, participants will not be able to combine their Wilderness Volunteer work with simultaneous studies.

Wilderness Volunteer in Canada Accommodation

Wilderness Volunteer participants receive accommodation as part of their placements. Accommodation can be in cabins, hostel-style dormitories or even tents for placements at more remote sites. Homestay accommodation maybe available for placements near urban centres. Past WVP participants have stayed in:

• Shared cabins
• Tents
• Tipis
• Yurts
• Trailers/Caravans
• Homestays

All non-tent accommodation is furnished, heated, and comes with self catering and washroom facilities. For tent accommodation at more rustic sites, tents and bedding are provided, as is access to cooking and washroom facilities.

Fees for accommodation are included in the price of the program.

Important note: meals are not included in WVP placements. All accommodation is self-catering, however hosts ensure that participants have regular weekly access to shops in nearby communities in order to purchase food. In some placements meals may be included and participants will be informed prior to arrival.

Each type of placement may also include ‘Communal Living Duties’ for Wilderness Volunteer Program participants who are living at the work site. These can include: cooking, cleaning bathrooms, kitchen duties and laundry.

Want to volunteer in the city instead?

If you would like to complete a practical volunteer internship in the areas of: Marketing, Accounting, Events planning, etc in the city of Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa or Calgary, read about our Charity Internship in Canada Program here.

How can I apply for the Volunteer in Canada Program?

Apply for this program at any time, year-round and your placement will be confirmed within 4 weeks. If you wish to receive information regarding the Wilderness Volunteer in Canada Program fees, please Contact us.

This fee includes:

• Confirmed volunteer placement
• Work permit documents,
• Local one-way transportation to the volunteer site from the city of arrival,
• Support and reporting during the program
• Letter of reference upon completion

Latitude International provides additional services including arrival packages, airport reception, medical insurance and more. We are here to help you and advise you so please do not hesitate to ask us your questions!