The bald eagles are due back anytime now and the Eagle Watch Interpretive Volunteer program is looking for new nature loving volunteers to join their forces.
Volunteer interpreters have the opportunity to learn about bald eagles and in turn share that knowledge and love of bald eagles with people from around the world.
"My volunteers just love it," said co-ordinator Bruce Matthews, who has spent 10 years building the program. "It's a wonderful way to learn about nature, meet interesting people, get outside and have fun."
Matthews is anticipating a good year eagle wise because of the "huge sockeye run that hit" this year. Over the past few years eagle sightings have dwindled and he thinks this abundance of food for the bald eagles should bring them back.
"It looks like it's going to be a good year," he said.
The Eagle Watch program has been educating locals, students and visitors alike since 1995 when it was established as part of the Nature Conservancy of Canada's Eagles of Brackendale project.
Last year was very successful with more than 7,000 visitors dropping into the Eagle Run viewing site on Government Road across from the Easter Seals Camp.
To Matthews' delight, the number of student field trips has risen dramatically over the past few years with 370 students from the corridor, Vancouver and the Lower Mainland coming for bald eagle viewing and an educational presentation about the life cycle that sustains the raptors.
"We've gotten nothing but positive feedback from all over the place," said Matthews.
"People were just amazed by the program and that's why we feel confident volunteers will want to join us."
He said the volunteer job is all perks - it's a nice way to get outside, it doesn't cost money and it's a great way to meet people.
Matthews has also found that families enjoy becoming involved together and he's had some for several years.
"We have about five families volunteering with us," he said. "Two kids who just went off to university have been with us since they were about five or six."
The Eagle Watch program asks that volunteers work three three-hour shifts over December and January and the job includes training, a mid season potluck and a wind up party.
The Squamish Environment Society co-ordinates the program and the volunteer training day is at the Adventure Centre on Nov. 27 from 9 a.m. until noon.
