Lake Huron Coastal Centre: Volunteers are the heart of rural communities

Volunteers are the help of rural communities, and they help local organisations continue important work, bring people together and strengthen the sense of connection that makes small towns like ours so special.

At the Lake Huron Coastal Centre (LHCC) volunteers play a vital role in protecting and caring for our shoreline.

As a small charity, we rely on the support of community members to expand the impact of our programs and initiatives. Quite simply, we could not do the work we do without them.

Our volunteers come from all walks of life. Youth volunteers participate in our environment education program, building knowledge and skills while using Lake Huron as their classroom.

Families join us at beach clean-up events, helping remove plastic and other debris from the shoreline.

Retired residents volunteer their time to monitor local beaches, reporting on important shoreline changes.

Shoreline landholders also contribute through our Green Ribbon Champion program by restoring and protecting beaches and dunes on their own properties.

In 2025, more than 700 people donated their time to help protect Lake Huron. Together, they have kept plastic pollution off our beaches, restored important coastal habitats, and helped monitor the health of our shoreline.

Beyond the work itself, volunteers help inspire others to get involved. Their passion encourages neighbours, families and friends to take part, creating a ripple effect of community stewardship.

We are so grateful for the many volunteers who support our work at events and behind the scenes by providing guidance, organisational support, and in-kind contributions that help our projects succeed.

If you would like to volunteer with the LHCC, keep an eye on the upcoming events page of our website (lakehuron.ca) and follow us on social media (@coastalcentre).

Alyssa Bourassa is the Executive Director of LHCC