Terms and Conditions

Volunteer for Nature leaders are either staff members or volunteers who wish to share their time and knowledge of nature as well as their expertise in the areas of conservation and restoration. However, some leaders may be new to a particular event site and may be experiencing it for the first time.

Number of Participants

The number of participants at any event is limited in order to enhance your experience and minimize environmental impacts. The maximum number of participants is event specific. The minimum number of participants for any conservation event is 6 unless otherwise stated. The maximum number of participants is determined by factors such as the tasks to be completed, available accommodations and transportation and an appropriate volunteer to leader ratio.

Registration and Fees

All registrations are accepted on a "first paid, first served" basis. Places will not be held without full payment. If an event is fully booked, a waiting list of interested participants is kept. Participants who wish to be on the waiting list are required to complete a registration form in full and return it to the VfN registration desk. The waiting list order is determined by the order of receipt of registration forms (with accompanying credit card number). If a spot becomes available on the event list, no payment will be processed without the authorization of the credit card holder.

A registration form must be completed and the Registration and Payment Conditions signed by each participant to ensure they have read and understood the policies and procedures of the VfN program. Each participant must also complete and submit a medical form prior to participating in an event. Medical forms will be included in the pre-trip participant's package.

Fees are specified in the description of each event. The fee does not include transportation to and from the starting point unless otherwise indicated, nor does it include personal items. All event costs are priced in Canadian dollars. Volunteer for Nature reserves the right to change prices without notice in the event of a situation that is beyond our control and demands that change.

Conservation Challenge

Each year, particular events are featured as a VfN Conservation Challenge. Modeled after pledge events or ‘a-thons’, conservation challenges provide people with opportunities to participate in and/or sponsor conservation projects. Pledge forms will be included in participant packages for designated events and available for downloading from the VfN website. If an event is not advertised as a Conservation Challenge, interested volunteers may still request pledge forms if interested in challenging their friends, family and colleagues to sponsor conservation action in the field. Please contact the VfN Coordinator at vfn@ontarionature.org to find out more. All contributions to the VfN Conservation Challenge are tax creditable.

Cancellations and Refunds

Cancellations are accepted in writing only and can be sent to either vfn@ontarionature.org or Ontario Nature, attention VfN, 366 Adelaide Street West, Suite 201, Toronto, ON, M5V 1R9. Cancellations at least one month prior to the event will receive a full refund. Cancellations more than 2 weeks prior to the event will receive a full refund minus a 35% administration fee. Please remember that there are waiting lists for VfN events and those who fail to show up for events without canceling are prohibiting someone else from volunteering for nature.

No refunds will be provided for cancellations less than 2 weeks prior to an event, except in the case of medical emergency or on compassionate grounds (as determined by Volunteer for Nature). In the event of a trip cancellation by Volunteer for Nature, full refunds will be provided to all registered volunteers.

Participant's Packages

VfN staff with make their best attempts to deliver participant packages of information will be sent via email, fax, or regular mail to all registered participants 3 weeks prior to the event date including details of the meeting location, natural area, conservation project and additional background information.

Delays

Volunteer for Nature, its staff and its volunteer leaders reserve the right to change schedules as situations may warrant, particularly with regards to weather. We cannot be responsible for delays beyond our control. If the weather conditions call for rain, most conservation events’ will proceed. In the event of thunder or lightning, however, the event will be cancelled. To contact the leader within one day of the event if extreme weather is forecasted, please refer to the participant's package.

Transportation

Volunteer for Nature does not arrange transportation to and from VfN expeditions, unless otherwise stated. Please note that although Ontario Nature may assist in matching individuals for carpooling purposes, Ontario Nature does not assume any responsibility for the safety of passengers in private vehicles. VfN staff also cannot guarantee arrangement of transportation to and from events.

Food

Participants should bring a lunch and beverages with them to single day events. For some extended events, VfN staff will provide a morning and afternoon snack and beverage along with dinner. However, VfN may not be able to provide for specific dietary requirements though attempts will be made if adequate notice has been given. Please refer to event descriptions and participant packages for full information on meals.