Peter Matthews is a Property Guardian for Hardwood Lake and the North Mountain Woodlands Conservation Lands. He generously sat down with us to share some of his experience volunteering in that role.

What inspired you to get involved with the Nature Trust as a Property Guardian? 

We moved from British Columbia several years ago when I retired. Mountain biking through back roads on the North Mountain, I saw Nature Trust signs on the trees and thought, That’s an organization I could support. I contacted the Nature Trust and the next thing I knew I had a formal volunteer application form in front of me. I’ve not been involved in conservation work before, but I spend a lot of time hiking and biking in the wilderness. Nature is under a lot of pressure with human population and consumer habits. Putting aside land for nature first is something I’m sensitive about.

Any memorable volunteer experiences you want to share?

Two years ago I was asked if I’d help out doing trail work and building bridges near Purcell’s Cove. I liked how all the volunteers chipped in, and we got a lot of work done in one day.

I’m a cabinetmaker, and I’ve done a lot of trail building over the years, mainly as a mountain biker, so it was a good fit for me.

Any interesting encounters with flora and fauna that you would like to share? 

Coming from the West Coast, which is dominated by coniferous forest, it’s cool to be walking amongst hardwood trees like Oak, Ash and Maple. Some birds are different as well. There are no Cardinals or Blue Jays in B. C. 

I monitor the North Mountain Property, and there are a few pretty interesting, great big maple trees on the North Mountain Property that are magnificent for their stature and size.

How have you found your experience volunteering with the Nature Trust? How was the training and onboarding?

Working with Riki and Christina is great. They really appreciate what Property Guardians do. The programs they have in place to orient volunteers are well thought out.  I enjoy going to the Hub meetings and meeting like-minded people.

What would your message be to others that are interested in getting started with the Nature Trust as a property Guardian?

First, you have to be comfortable walking in the woods or along the shore, depending on the property, as a Property Guardian. I’m sure there are other Nature Trust volunteer opportunities. Other than that, follow your heart; it will tell you where to volunteer. 

Volunteering is doing something that feeds your soul, and something you enjoy doing already as a way to give back. I believe that if no one volunteered in society, it would fall apart. Volunteering is a healthy thing we can all do for each other and society.

Thank you to Peter Matthews for his volunteer service as a Property Guardian. To learn more about our Property Guardians program, visit our Property Guardians page.