Enter Access Code

Grown with

Welcome!

At Ottawa Riverkeeper we believe that volunteer engagement efforts should be designed with volunteer feedback. You have an important experience that is needed for our work to be successful. In the following survey, we hope to learn more about your experiences with volunteering, Ottawa Riverkeeper, and relationship to the outdoors. 
Your response to this survey is confidential. If you would like to learn more about how your privacy is protected, review the privacy policy here 

Grown with

Select the option that reflects your volunteer status with Ottawa Riverkeeper. 

  • Active volunteer (i.e., you have volunteered within the last year or more and plan to volunteer again)
  • Previous volunteer (i.e., you have volunteered in the past, and do not plan to volunteer again)
  • Prospective volunteer (i.e., you have not volunteered with Ottawa Riverkeeper before, but plan to volunteer)
  • Inactive volunteer (i.e., you know there are opportunities to volunteer at Ottawa Riverkeeper, but have not volunteered and do not intend to)
  • None of the above
  • Prefer not to answer
Grow with

How long have you been an active volunteer with Ottawa Riverkeeper? 

  • 1 year or less
  • 2 - 3 years
  • 4 - 6 years
  • 7 - 10 years
  • 10 years or more
  • Prefer not to answer
Grow with

Why don’t you plan on volunteering with Ottawa Riverkeeper in the future? Select all that apply

  • I do not have the time
  • Unable to make the commitment
  • I have given enough time already
  • No one has asked
  • Low interest
  • Prefer to give financially instead
  • Prefer to volunteer with a different organization
  • Location
  • No opportunity to use skills or experience
  • Health problems/physically unable
  • Not asked me to contribute in a meaningful way
  • Unsure of how to get involved
  • The financial cost of volunteering (e.g., buying equipment, forgoing work, transportation)
  • Dissatisfaction with previous experience
  • COVID disruptions (e.g., physical or mental health concerns, lockdowns, familial responsibilities, work)
  • Other not listed:
Grow with

When did you last volunteer with Ottawa Riverkeeper? 

  • Within the last month
  • Between 1 month - 6 months ago
  • Between 7 months - 11 months ago
  • Between 1 - 2 years ago
  • Between 3 - 4 years ago
  • 5 years ago or more
  • I don’t know
  • Prefer not to answer
Grow with

Approximately how many hours did you volunteer with Ottawa Riverkeeper over the last 12 months?

  • 10 hours or less
  • 11 - 20 hours
  • 21 - 40 hours
  • 41 - 60 hours
  • 61 - 100 hours
  • 101 - 120 hours
  • 121 hours or more
  • I don't know
  • Prefer not to answer
Grow with

Select the option(s) that reflects how you currently or previously volunteered with Ottawa Riverkeeper.

  • Riverwatchers
  • Board of Directors
  • Youth Water Leaders Program
  • Watershed Health Committee
  • Community Scientists
  • Event (e.g., open water swim, Riverkeeper Gala)
  • Shoreline cleanups (including iCleanup.ca)
  • Administrative assistance (stuffing envelopes, IT, translation, etc.)
  • Boothing and Outreach
  • Prefer not to answer
  • Other not listed:
Grow with

How did you discover Ottawa Riverkeeper’s volunteer opportunities? Select all that apply

  • Referred by a member of the Ottawa Riverkeeper team (i.e., volunteers and employees)
  • Referred by someone outside of the Ottawa Riverkeeper team
  • Google search
  • Social media
  • High school
  • Ottawa Riverkeeper event
  • Regular Ottawa Riverkeeper newsletter
  • Ottawa Riverkeeper volunteer newsletter
  • Ottawa Riverkeeper website
  • Post-secondary school
  • Another nonprofit or charity
  • Volunteer-matching agency
  • Pacte d’amitié
  • Workplace program
  • Other not listed:
Grow with

Select the top 5 motivations that lead you to volunteer with Ottawa Riverkeeper.

  • To contribute to required community service hours
  • A school project
  • To complete my co-op placement
  • I was invited
  • A desire to give back to my community
  • A desire to protect the environment
  • Social reasons (e.g., make friends, expand my network, connect with others)
  • A general interest
  • To stay active
  • To informally learn
  • To supplement formal education
  • To supplement my career development
  • To grow personally
  • To learn more about the Ottawa River/watershed
  • Other not listed:
Grow with

Select the option that best encapsulates how you would describe your experience volunteering at Ottawa Riverkeeper in comparison to other organizations you have volunteered for. 

The word “enjoyable” is being used to refer to an experience that provided you pleasure or delight.

  • My volunteer experience(s) at Ottawa Riverkeeper was less enjoyable than my experience(s) at other organizations
  • My volunteer experience(s) at Ottawa Riverkeeper was as enjoyable as my experience(s) at other organizations
  • My volunteer experience(s) at Ottawa Riverkeeper was more enjoyable than my experience(s) at other organizations
  • Not applicable
  • Prefer not to answer
Grow with

I received value (e.g., social connections, knowledge, physical/mental fitness) from volunteering at Ottawa Riverkeeper.

  • Strongly Agree
  • Agree
  • Neutral
  • Disagree
  • Strongly Disagree
Grow with

I would recommend Ottawa Riverkeeper to prospective volunteers.

  • Strongly Agree
  • Agree
  • Neutral
  • Disagree
  • Strongly Disagree
  • Outside of my purview/role
Grow with

What is something that you liked about your volunteering experience(s) at Ottawa Riverkeeper?

Grow with

Based on your experience(s), how do you think the volunteer experience at Ottawa Riverkeeper could be improved?

Grow with

If you are a current volunteer, please answer the following questions based on your current feelings towards Ottawa Riverkeeper. If you are a previous volunteer, please answer the following questions based on your most recent experience with Ottawa Riverkeeper.

Grow with

I encountered barriers to volunteering with Ottawa Riverkeeper.

  • Strongly Agree
  • Agree
  • Neutral
  • Disagree
  • Strongly Disagree
  • Outside of my purview/role
Grow with

What barriers did you encounter to volunteering with Ottawa Riverkeeper? 

Grow with

I know what to do if I felt physically or psychologically unsafe while volunteering for Ottawa Riverkeeper.

  • Strongly Agree
  • Agree
  • Neutral
  • Disagree
  • Strongly Disagree
  • Outside of my purview/role
Grow with

I know what conduct (e.g., expected behaviours) was required of me while volunteering for Ottawa Riverkeeper.

  • Strongly Agree
  • Agree
  • Neutral
  • Disagree
  • Strongly Disagree
  • Outside of my purview/role
Grow with

I felt comfortable asking for support while volunteering for Ottawa Riverkeeper.

  • Strongly Agree
  • Agree
  • Neutral
  • Disagree
  • Strongly Disagree
  • Outside of my purview/role
Grow with

I felt welcomed by Ottawa Riverkeeper.

  • Strongly Agree
  • Agree
  • Neutral
  • Disagree
  • Strongly Disagree
  • Outside of my purview/role
Grow with

I did not feel like I had to change aspects of who I am (e.g., behaviours, physical appearance, identity) at Ottawa Riverkeeper. 

  • Strongly Agree
  • Agree
  • Neutral
  • Disagree
  • Strongly Disagree
  • Outside of my purview/role
Grow with

Select the option that best describes how often you spend leisure time outdoors (i.e., hiking, swimming, canoeing, skiing, snowboarding, walking)

  • Daily
  • Weekly
  • Monthly
  • Every other month
  • A few times a year
  • Less than a few times a year
  • Prefer not to answer
Grow with

I find it easy to identify people similar to me in environmental and sustainability organizations.

  • Strongly Agree
  • Agree
  • Neutral
  • Disagree
  • Strongly Disagree
  • Outside of my purview/role
Grow with

If I want to, there are people in my life I can connect with to spend leisure time outdoors.

  • Strongly Agree
  • Agree
  • Neutral
  • Disagree
  • Strongly Disagree
  • Outside of my purview/role
Grow with

I feel comfortable approaching an associate at an outdoors store (e.g., MEC, SAIL, Cabela’s, Décathlon, Sport Experts, Atmosphere ) to learn more about outdoor activities (e.g., birdwatching, swimming, skiing, hiking, climbing). 

  • Strongly Agree
  • Agree
  • Neutral
  • Disagree
  • Strongly Disagree
  • Outside of my purview/role
Grow with

I feel physically and emotionally safe while spending leisure time outdoors alone. 

  • Strongly Agree
  • Agree
  • Neutral
  • Disagree
  • Strongly Disagree
  • Outside of my purview/role
Grow with

A lack of knowledge (e.g., knowledge of locations, equipment, technique, etc) has not stopped me from spending time outdoors within the last 5 years.

  • Strongly Agree
  • Agree
  • Neutral
  • Disagree
  • Strongly Disagree
  • Outside of my purview/role
Grow with

A lack of adequate equipment (e.g., coat, snow pants, skis, canoe, shoes) has not stopped me from spending time outdoors within the last 5 years. 

  • Strongly Agree
  • Agree
  • Neutral
  • Disagree
  • Strongly Disagree
  • Outside of my purview/role
Grow with

Select the outdoor activity/activities you have participated in within the last 3 years.

  • Walking
  • Jogging, running, rollerblading, cross-country running
  • Hiking
  • Football, soccer, field hockey, basketball, volleyball, baseball, rugby, lacrosse, ultimate (frisbee), ice/road hockey, broomball, curling
  • Golfing, croquet, lawn darts, lawn bowling, bocci, badminton, tennis
  • Sailing, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, rowing, dragon boating
  • Swimming, going to the beach, surfing, scuba diving, snorkelling
  • Bicycling, skateboarding, riding a human-powered scooter
  • All-terrain vehicle (ATV,) electric scooters, Boating, snowmobiling, seadooing
  • Skiing, snowboarding, telemarking, skating, snowshoeing,
  • Hunting, fishing
  • Gardening, berry picking, harvesting
  • Camping
  • Going to a cottage
  • Picnicking, barbecue
  • Wildlife watching, photography
  • Exercise, tai chi, aerobics, yoga
  • Go to the park/playground
  • Mountain climbing
  • Tobogganing, sliding
  • Geocaching
  • Garbage cleanups
  • Other not listed:
Grow with

Do you face any barriers (e.g., financial, physical, psychological, geographical)  to spending leisure time outdoors? If so please explain below. 

Grow with

Please answer the following questions based on your volunteer experience and preference broadly, which can include Ottawa Riverkeeper but is not limited to Ottawa Riverkeeper.

Grow with

Select the top 5 motivations that lead you to volunteer.

  • To contribute to required community service hours
  • I was invited
  • To give back to my community
  • For social reasons (e.g., make friends, expand my network, connect with others)
  • General interest
  • To stay active
  • To informally learn
  • To supplement formal education
  • To supplement profession
  • To grow personally
  • Other not listed:
Grow with

Select the option that reflects your volunteer status with organization(s) other than Ottawa Riverkeeper.

  • Active volunteer (i.e., you have volunteered within the last year and plan to volunteer again)
  • Previous volunteer (i.e., you have volunteered within the last year or more, and do not plan to volunteer again)
  • Prospective volunteer (i.e., you have not volunteered within the last year, but plan to volunteer again)
  • Inactive volunteer (i.e., you know there are opportunities to volunteer, but have not volunteered within the last year and do not intend to)
  • Prefer not to answer
Grow with

Select the type(s) of organization(s) that you are an active, prospective or previous volunteer with.

  • Education and research
  • Fundraising
  • Health (e.g., reproductive health, hospital, clinic)
  • International aid/care
  • Development and housing
  • Business or professional association
  • University or college
  • Elementary or High School
  • Social service (e.g., shelter, fire station, women’s centre, mental health support, children's aid organization)
  • Environment
  • Law, advocacy or politics
  • Sports and recreation
  • Religious
  • Other not listed:
Grow with

What type(s) of activities do you participate in while volunteering for organizations other than Ottawa Riverkeeper?

  • First-aid, fire-fighting or search and rescue
  • Canvassing
  • Conservation or environmental protection
  • Coaching, refereeing or officiating
  • Maintenance or repair
  • Driving
  • Office work
  • Providing healthcare or support
  • Counselling or providing advice
  • Collecting, serving or delivering food
  • Teaching, educating or mentoring
  • Sitting on a committee or board
  • Fundraising
  • Organizing or supporting events
  • Other not listed:
Grow with

When did you last volunteer with an organization other than Ottawa Riverkeeper?

  • Within the last month
  • Between 1 month - 6 months ago
  • Between 7 months - 11 months ago
  • Between 1 - 2 years ago
  • Between 3 - 4 years ago
  • 5 years ago or more
  • I don’t know
  • Prefer not to answer
Grow with

Select the option that best describes your volunteer organizational preferences in a given year.

  • I prefer to volunteer with the same organization for a year or more
  • I prefer to volunteer with a variety of organizations over the course of a year
  • I don’t have a preference for volunteering for the same organization or multiple in a year
  • Prefer not to answer
Grow with

Select the option that best describes your volunteer schedule preferences.

  • I prefer to volunteer at a set time and frequency over the course of a volunteer term (i.e., month, quarter, year)
  • I prefer to select times to volunteer as they come available
  • I don’t have a preference for how my volunteer schedule is set
  • Prefer not to answer
Grow with

Approximately how many hours did you volunteer at any organization, including Ottawa Riverkeeper in the last 12 months?

  • 10 hours or less
  • 11 - 20 hours
  • 21 - 40 hours
  • 41 - 60 hours
  • 61 - 100 hours
  • 101 - 120 hours
  • 121 hours or more
  • Prefer not to answer
Grow with

In the following section, you will be asked questions about your identity. This information will be used to understand what communities Ottawa Riverkeeper is reaching and if there are any variances in experiences at Ottawa Riverkeeper by identity.

You can skip any questions you do not want to answer and, as with all your answers to this survey, your responses will not be connected to your name if you choose to be entered to win 1 of 3 $25 gift cards to a local business of your choice.

Grow with

What language(s) do you communicate in on a regular basis?

  • English
  • French
  • Prefer not to answer
  • Other not listed:
Grow with

Select the option that best reflects your primary place of residence.

  • Owned by me or a member of the household (even if it is still being paid for)
  • Rented by me or a member of the household (even if no cash rent is paid)
  • I don’t know
  • Prefer not to answer
Grow with

How many people above the age of 19 live in your household? Include yourself if applicable

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5 or more
  • Prefer not to answer
Grow with

Select the option that best describes your primary place of residence (i.e., town, city or village).


Population centres are cities, towns or villages. Examples of population centres in and around the Ottawa watershed include: Gatineau, Pembroke, Mont-Laurier, Petawawa, Carleton Place, Rockland, Haweksbury, Arnprior, Smith Falls, Richmond, Deep River, Osgoode, Témiscaming, Maniwaki and Joliette

  • Rural area (less than 1,000 people)
  • Small population centre (1,000 to 29,999 people)
  • Medium population centre (30,000 to 99,999 people)
  • Large urban population centre (100,000 people or more)
  • I don’t know
  • Prefer not to answer
Grow with

How far is your primary residence from an accessible waterway of the Ottawa River watershed (e.g., river, stream, tributary, lake, wetland)? 

  • 0 - 100m
  • 101 m - 500m
  • 501 m - 1 km
  • 1.1 km - 3 km
  • 3.1 km - 5 km
  • 5.1 km - 10 km
  • More than 10 km
  • I don’t know
  • Prefer not to answer
Grow with

Select the option that best describes your 2022 total household income before taxes and deductions from all sources.

  • Less than $5,000
  • $5,000 to less than $10,000
  • $10,000 to less than $15,000
  • $15,000 to less than $20,000
  • $20,000 to less than $25,000
  • $25,000 to less than $30,000
  • $30,000 to less than $40,000
  • $40,000 to less than $50,000
  • $50,000 to less than $60,000
  • $60,000 to less than $70,000
  • $70,000 to less than $80,000
  • $80,000 to less than $100,000
  • $100,000 to less than $120,000
  • $120,000 and over
  • I don’t know
  • Prefer not to answer
Grow with

Choose the group(s) that represent your ethnicity. Select all that apply.
Ethnicity refers to the identification of a group based on a common nationality or perceived cultural distinctiveness.

  • American (i.e., those who consider America a part of their identity. This option is often used by people who are not Indigenous and have been in America for several generations and as a result, do not identify with other ethnic groups)
  • Asian - East (e.g., Chinese, Japanese, Korean)
  • Asian - South (e.g., Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan)
  • Asian - South East (e.g., Malaysian, Filipino, Vietnamese)
  • Black - African (e.g., Ghanaian, Kenyan, Somali)
  • Black - Caribbean (e.g., Barbadian, Jamaican)
  • Canadian (i.e., those who consider Canada a part of their identity. This option is often used by people who are not Indigenous and have been in Canada for several generations and as a result, do not identify with other ethnic groups)
  • European (e.g., English, Italian, Portuguese, Russian)
  • French-Canadian
  • Indian - Caribbean (e.g., Guyanese with origins in India)
  • Indigenous - First Nations
  • Indigenous - Inuit
  • Indigenous - Métis
  • Latin, Central, and South American (e.g., Argentinian, Chilean, Salvadorian)
  • Middle Eastern (e.g., Egyptian, Iranian, Lebanese)
  • Native/Indigenous/Aboriginal (not included elsewhere)
  • Oceanian (e.g., Melanesian, Micronesian, and Polynesian)
  • White (i.e., those who descend from one or more ethnic groups originating from the Middle East, Europe, or North Africa)
  • Prefer not to answer
  • Other not listed:
Grow with

Choose the option(s) that best represents your gender identity. Select all that apply. 

  • Gender non-conforming/Non-binary | You do not identify exclusively as a man or a woman
  • Man
  • Two-spirit | You have both a masculine and feminine spirit, used primarily and commonly by Indigenous people.
  • Questioning/Exploring
  • Woman
  • I don't know
  • Prefer not to answer
  • Other not listed:
Grow with

Do you identify as Transgender?

  • Yes
  • No
  • Unsure
  • Prefer not to answer
Grow with

How old are you?

  • 20 years old or younger
  • 21-25 years old
  • 26-30 years old
  • 31-40 years old
  • 41-50 years old
  • 51-60 years old
  • 61 years old or older
  • Prefer not to answer
Grow with

Select the option that represents your generation status.

  • First-generation | This category includes persons who were born outside Canada. For the most part, these are people who are now, or once were, immigrants to Canada.
  • Second-generation | This category includes persons who were born in Canada and had at least one parent born outside Canada. For the most part, these are the children of immigrants.
  • Third-generation or higher | This category includes persons who were born in Canada with both parents born in Canada.
  • I don’t know
  • Prefer not to answer
Grow with

Choose the option(s) that represent your familial and caregiving statuses.

  • I am not a caregiver or caretaker
  • I am a prospective parent or primary caretaker of a child (e.g., pregnant, with a partner who is pregnant, in an adoption process)
  • I am a parent or primary caretaker of a child
  • I am a primary caregiver (i.e., you are responsible for caring for an adult)
  • Other not listed:
Grow with

Do you have a disability? Select all that apply.
A disability is any condition of the body or mind that makes it more difficult for a person with the condition to do certain activities and/or interact with the world around them. ‘Disability’ covers a broad range and degree of conditions.

  • Yes, I have a physical disability (e.g. mobility, hearing, vision, etc)
  • Yes, I have an intellectual, cognitive or learning disability
  • Yes, I have a mental health or addiction-related disability
  • No, I do not have a disability
  • I don’t know
  • Prefer not to answer
  • Other not listed:
Grow with

Are you currently enrolled in a secondary or post-secondary institution?

  • Yes, I am enrolled as a full-time student
  • Yes, I am enrolled as a part-time student
  • No
  • Prefer not to answer
Grow with

What is the highest level of formal education you have completed?  

  • Some early education, no high school diploma
  • Some high school, no diploma
  • High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (e.g., GED)
  • Some post-secondary education, no degree
  • Trade/technical/vocational training
  • Associate degree
  • Bachelor's degree
  • College diploma
  • Graduate diploma
  • Master's degree
  • Professional degree
  • Doctorate degree
  • Prefer not to answer
  • Other not listed:
Grow with

Are you a first-generation college or university graduate? (e.g., your parents, grandparents, and other guardians did not complete a college or university degree).

  • Yes
  • No
  • I don't know
  • Prefer not to answer
Grow with

Select the option(s) that best describes your labour force participation. 

  • I am a full-time parent or caregiver
  • I am employed full-time
  • I am employed part-time
  • I am currently unemployed and am not seeking employment
  • I am currently unemployed and am seeking employment
  • I am retired
  • Prefer not to answer
  • Other not listed:
Grow with

Select the option that best describes the category of your job.


NOC occupation classification is based on the tasks you complete to perform your work across industries. For example, if you were an accountant at a financial institution, nonprofit or school you would select option #2, "business, finance and administration."  

You can read more about the National Occupational Classification (NOC) on the Statistics Canada website. 

  • Management (e.g., legislators, senior management occupations and middle management occupations)
  • Business, finance and administration (e.g., financial and business services, administration, clerical supervision, accounting services, investment management, human resources support, and support services)
  • Natural and applied sciences and related occupations (e.g., sciences, engineering, architecture, information technology)
  • Health occupation (i.e., you provide health care services directly to patients or provide technical support to medical staff)
  • Education, law and social, community and government services (e.g., law, teaching, counselling, social science research, developing government policy, administering government programs)
  • Art, culture, recreation and sport (e.g., performing arts, film, video, broadcasting, writing, creative design, libraries, museums, sports)
  • Sales and service (i.e., retail and wholesale sales occupations and customer and personal service occupations related to industries, such as accommodation and food services, travel, tourism and cleaning services)
  • Trades, transport and equipment operators (e.g., contractors, tradespersons, operators of heavy equipment, trades helpers)
  • Natural resources, agriculture and related production (e.g., mining, oil and gas production, forestry and logging, agriculture, horticulture and fishing)
  • Manufacturing and utilities (i.e., supervisory, production and labouring occupations in manufacturing, processing and utilities)
  • I don’t know
  • Prefer not to answer
Grow with

Is there anything else you’d like to share to help inform volunteering at Ottawa Riverkeeper?

Grow with

Thank you for completing this survey! If you would like to be entered into a draw to win 1 of 3 $25 gift cards to a local business of your choice. 

Please include your name and email address below. Your name and email address will not be connected to your survey responses. Please continue to the next page to ensure your full response is submitted. 

Grow with

Thank you! Your response has been submitted.

Grow with