The Nova Scotia Bird Society offers a wide variety of programming, from field trips and meetings to community outreach. None of it would be possible without the contributions from the many volunteers who take on jobs both large and small. Interested in helping out with the various society activities? Please consult the list below and get in touch with us!
Ways To Help the NSBS
NSBS Volunteer Positions
Field Trip Leaders – Our Field Trip leaders are competent bird IDers and capable guides who know our province’s excellent parks and trails. While Beginner Trips are considered the most valuable, all trips provide leaders with the opportunity to share information about the birds encountered, and with companionship that often leads to friendship. Walks can be anywhere from one hour to a whole day. All participants are required to sign liability forms.
Annual General Meeting (AGM) – This is a once yearly responsibility that requires a leader for a group of volunteers in arranging and setting up tables in November for our AGM. This position is provided a budget to buy food and drink and to rent tablecloths as needed.
Public/Instructional Talks – From time to time schools and groups including the NS Museum ask us to speak to patrons or children about birds. This volunteer position may appeal to you if you feel comfortable speaking in front of people, and if you’re able to talk about and answer questions about the birds of Nova Scotia.
Facebook Administration – We have over 23,000 members in our Facebook group. We have dedicated administrators who accept new members and diplomatically enforce our guidelines for posting. The admins work together to decide on more difficult situations and to avoid potential problems with posted remarks or photos.
Merchandise and Sales – Volunteers will be responsible for the management and sales of NSBS clothing and gear (caps, tuques, t-shirts, sweaters, checklists, pins, and crests…); ensuring that the stock is accounted for; collecting the money for the merchandise and submitting the money monthly to the treasurer; and making sure that people receive their purchases.
Editorial – NS Birds is our quarterly magazine created and published by volunteers. At times, we require section editors to contribute. Section editors are experienced birders who have knowledge of the past and current statuses of Nova Scotia’s birds, an interest in writing, and are able to commit to deadlines.
Out of Town Meeting – The NSBS holds one meeting per year outside of Halifax. The volunteer(s) will book a speaker and field trip leaders; work out the schedule and logistics; seek a venue in which to hold the meeting; and secure accommodations for people who may want to over-night the weekend. Normally Friday night is check-in and a get together, and the meeting is held on Saturday night. Field trips are planned for both Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
Monthly Meeting Speakers – Having a volunteer to seek out and engage people to come to our meetings and talk on bird-related subjects would be wonderful. We have many interesting and knowledgeable people throughout Nova Scotia who would be happy to speak to us; it’s just a matter of having the right person to do the asking.
Ways To Help birds in Nova Scotia
Atlantic Canada Shorebird Survey
Birds Canada (www.birdscanada.org) is working with Environment Canada’s Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) to strengthen volunteer shorebird monitoring at important sites in NS where there are currently gaps in data collection. We want to learn about local birders’ interest in shorebirds and shorebird identification skills, and understand factors that might limit birders’ involvement as a volunteer shorebird surveyors. Information gathered from this survey will be used to guide training and recruitment of volunteers. Email information will be used to follow-up with those who express interest in learning more about shorebird surveys and will not be shared beyond this project.
Survey to assess birders' interest in shorebirds, shorebird identification skills and factors that may limit involvement as volunteer shorebird surveyors at NS Atlantic Coast sites.
English version: https://forms.gle/AZctRz8Wh6WTTWCp9
Please contact Sue Abbott, Birds Canada Associate Director-NS Programs (
Relevé des oiseaux de rivage du Canada atlantique
Oiseaux Canada (https://www.oiseauxcanada.org), en collaboration avec le Service canadien de la faune (SCF) d’Environnement et Changement climatique Canada, s’emploie à constituer un bassin de bénévoles pour la surveillance des oiseaux de rivage à d’importants sites en Nouvelle-Écosse où il manque de données actuellement. Nous aimerions connaître les intérêts des observateurs d’oiseaux de la région concernant les oiseaux de rivage et leur capacité de les identifier, ainsi que les facteurs qui pourraient limiter leur engagement à titre de bénévoles dans les activités de surveillance. L’information que nous recueillerons grâce à ce sondage nous aidera à orienter nos démarches de recrutement et de formation des bénévoles. Nous ferons un suivi par courriel auprès des personnes qui se montreront intéressées à en apprendre davantage sur les relevés d’oiseaux de rivage. Les renseignements personnels obtenus dans le cadre du sondage demeureront confidentiels.
Relevés des oiseaux de rivage en Nouvelle-Écosse – Sondage sur une éventuelle participation bénévole et les habiletés d’identification de ces oiseaux
Version française: https://forms.gle/3qfbnDLoYUTiEwZeA
Pour obtenir plus d’information sur les relevés d’oiseaux de rivage, n’hésitez pas à communiquer avec Sue Abbott, directrice associée – Programmes de la Nouvelle-Écosse à Oiseaux Canada (