Environmental Program Coordinator (Summer Student ? Canada Summer Jobs)

Employer: Living Ways Foundation

Location: Castleton, Ontario

Hours: 35 hrs/week, 8 week contract starting June 15, with potential to be extended for the summer to August 2026 at $18/hr.

Eligibility: Ages 15?30 (must meet Canada Summer Jobs requirements)

Job Summary

The Ecological Restoration & Native Plant Assistant supports land stewardship activities across the Healing Gardens & Forests Program. The student will assist with the Medicinal & Native Plant Garden, ecological restoration projects, native plant identification on the forest trails, and education-related tasks connected to the mini-forest demonstration area.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Community Garden Support

• Assist with general garden tasks including planting, weeding, harvesting, watering, and mulching.
• Support produce preparation and distribution activities.
• Help maintain tools, pathways, and garden learning spaces.

Native & Medicinal Plant Garden

• Assist with planting, watering, and maintenance of native and medicinal species.
• Support upkeep of the mini-forest demonstration area.
• Help develop plant labels, educational signs, and simple plant information sheets.

Ecological Restoration & Trails

• Participate in invasive species removal, mulching, and understory planting.
• Identify and document native medicinal plants along forest trails.
• Assist with trail checks, light maintenance, and basic ecological monitoring.

Education & Program Support

• Help prepare materials for guided forest walks and nature education sessions.
• Set up and support demonstration areas for community learning.
• Capture photos or observations for program documentation.

Grant & Research Support

• Assist with research on ecological restoration?related grants and funding opportunities.
• Provide basic administrative support for program planning.

Anything else that would be helpful to Living Ways Foundation discerned by ED and Garden and Ecosystems Manager.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Interest in ecology, native plants, environmental science, gardening, or restoration.
• Willingness to work outdoors in varied weather conditions.
• Reliable, observant, and eager to learn environmental stewardship skills.
• Assets: plant identification interest, photography, mapping basics, nature education interest.

Learning Outcomes for the Student

• Practical experience in ecological restoration and native plant care.
• Increased knowledge of forest ecosystems and medicinal plant identification.
• Skills in habitat enhancement and environmental monitoring.
• Experience supporting nature education and environmental programming.
• Introduction to grant research in the environmental sector.

Send CV and cover letter to info@livingwaysfoundation.org

Pay: From $18.00 per hour

Application question(s):

• In your own words, tell us your experience with medicinal native plants.

• What has your experience been with foraging?

• Tell us more about why you are interested in the position.

Work Location: In person