What it's like to volunteer with WWF-Canada
By Katie Leung, WWF-Canada Toronto office volunteer
I have been interested in the World Wildlife Fund ever since I was a young girl living in Costa Rica. A country filled with an expansive collection of trees, birds, monkeys and many other species, Costa Rica holds 5 percent of world’s biodiversity in one tiny little landmass. Even living in the city, I have appreciated nature around me since a young age when my grandpa took me to a park near his house where I first climbed a tree like a mischievous monkey.
My first contact with WWF was while I was watching a cartoon on TV depicting the different ways people are harming the environment (ie. using a lot of paper for wrapping gifts, continuous use of lights, etc.) and the things we can do to prevent climate change and the destruction of earth’s natural resources. As a kid I always felt the urge to help make a difference and wondered how I could get involved with the WWF.
Fast-forwarding twenty years, I found myself looking for volunteer opportunities through Charity Village to gain some experience and out-of-classroom exposure. I found a volunteer opportunity as a freshwater ambassador at Ontario Place, two shifts during the summer time. During my first shift, I learned that I really enjoyed talking to people about freshwater conservation. When I mentioned something that they hadn’t heard before, (For example, that it takes 10 bottles of water to produce one sheet of paper) I generated a lot of “wow, I did not know that!” response. I realized that I have given them some knowledge that they might think about next time they use a sheet of paper. Just by talking to them, I had made an impact.
Katie doing a shift at the reception desk at the WWF-Canada Toronto office.
After my two shifts as a freshwater ambassador, I felt the desire to do more with the WWF. That is when I found out about volunteering opportunities at the head office in Toronto. Once a week, for four hours, I would go to the office and do some clerical work: sending out tax receipts, doing reception, and sometimes doing special projects for other departments. Tuesdays had become my favourite day of the week, because I know that when I come in I would be welcomed by smiles from many different staff members.
My experience volunteering at WWF has been nothing but incredible, and it is because of the people who work here. Everyone is so friendly and supportive. Not a day passes by that other staff members do not thank me for the work I do for them. They constantly acknowledge my hard work and dedication. At WWF you do not become just a volunteer, you become part of the Panda family.