Promoting volunteerism and working with volunteers.

Thousands of Canadians carry out valuable, unpaid work to help contribute to environmental protection and conservation-including such activities as daily climate observations, ecological monitoring, and a variety of stewardship initiatives.

Volunteerism is the willingness of people to work on behalf of others without the expectation of pay or other tangible gain. Volunteers may have special training as rescuers, guides, assistants, teachers, missionaries, amateur radio operators, writers and in other positions. But the majority work on an impromptu basis, recognising a need and filling it, whether it be the dramatic search for a lost child or the mundane giving of directions to a lost visitor.

The performance of formal service to benefit others or one's community without receiving any external rewards; such programs may or may not involve structured training and reflection.