Volunteer in Virginia

• Volunteering/Skills

  Volunteers should be comfortable with snorkeling and being underwater. During low-tide collection, the water will be about waist deep.

  Collection takes place in the seagrass meadows of South Bay off Oyster, Virginia, on the Eastern Shore. Departure times vary based on the tide.

  Volunteers board an open 24’ Carolina Skiff to get to the collection site. We can only transport those who are actually collecting.

  Trips typically last from 4-5 hours.

• Seed Collection Dates

  The collection schedule depends on the weather and seed ripening. We try to collect a few days before, during, and after peak d after peak ripeningg, all of which can be difficult to predict. Typically, these dates fall between the last half of May and as late as the first week of June.  

  Weather and timing are variable, and trips may change on short notice. It is important that volunteers are flexible.

  It is very important to show up if you sign up so that we can plan transportation and logistics appropriately. Trips typically last from 4-5 hours. If you have not collected before, we highly encourage you to sign up for at least two collection days.

• Cancellation Policy

  It is important to note that volunteers need to be flexible, as collection trips may be canceled last minute due to conditions: choppy water, wind, etc. It is the volunteer’s responsibility to determine if a collection date has been canceled.

  The Nature Conservancy is not responsible for any lodging, equipment or travel costs incurred if a collection date is canceled.

  We will send you an email if the workday is canceled. If you would prefer to have a phone call or text, please contact Jen Dalke at jdalke@tnc.org or 540-335-1302.

• Gear

  If you have a wetsuit, snorkel, mask and/or booties, please bring them. If you don’t have the necessary gear, please let us know as we have limited supply. Please note that there is no good place to change on the boat or at the meeting location.

  You will need:  

  • Snorkel and mask

  • Wetsuit

  • Neoprene booties or other water shoes

  • If you have a wetsuit hood, bring it as you may get cold. 

  • Dress in layers—bring dry/warm clothes to change into or put on top of your swimsuit

  • Drinking water and snacks

  • Sunscreen & insect repellent

  • Towel(s)

  The water temperature will be around 65-70 degrees F. You may also prefer some type of water shoe or hood. You are responsible for your personal gear. 70 degrees sounds warm, but after an hour you will get chilly. Dress in layers.

• Training

  There will be on-site training each collection day. Volunteers will be trained on how to identify the reproductive shoots of the eelgrass plant, how to collect and bag them, along with other related educational information.

• Traveling

  The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel has toll charges. Visit the CBBT website for cost information and other details.

• Lodging

  If overnight accommodations are needed, please contact one of the following local businesses for rates and availability. 

  • Kiptopeke State Park: Camping, family lodges, RVs and yurts available. Reserve online or call 1-800-933-PARK.
  • Sunset Beach Resort Hotel: Call 757-331-1776 to reserve a room.
  • Cape Charles House Bed and Breakfast: Call 757-331-4920 to reserve a room.
  • Seagate Bed and Breakfast: Call 757-331-2206 or email sea_gate@verizon.net to reserve a room.
  • Hampton Inn, Exmore: Call 757-442-7722 to reserve a room.
  • Quality Inn & Suites, Exmore: Call 757-442-7378 to reserve a room.
• Partners

  Our thanks to the partners who make this event possible.

  • Hampton Roads Community Foundation    
  • Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program    
  • Norfolk Southern Foundation  
  • National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration             
  • The Campbell Foundation  
  • The Volgenau Foundation  
  • William and Mary's Virginia Institute of Marine Science    
  • Virginia Coast Reserve Long-Term Ecological Research    
  • US Army Corps of Engineers    
  • Virginia Marine Resources Commission    
  • Virginia Eastern Shore Keeper    

Preserve Steward Resources

• Program Information

  • Preserve Inspection Report Form (.pdf)

  • Bottom Creek Gorge Volunteer Program (.pdf)

  • Cumberland Marsh Volunteer Program (.pdf)

  • Fernbrook Preserve Volunteer Program (.pdf) 

  • Fortune's Cove Volunteer Program (.pdf)

  • Fraser Preserve Volunteer Program (.pdf)

  • Warm Spring Mountain Volunteer Program (.pdf)

  • Piney Grove Preserve Volunteer Program (.pdf) 

• Preserve Maps

  • Bottom Creek Gorge Trail Map (.pdf)

  • Cumberland Marsh Trail Map (.pdf)

  • Fortune's Cove Trail Map (.pdf)

   

  • Fraser Preserve Trail Map (.pdf) 

   

  • Piney Grove Preserve Trail Map (.pdf)

   

   

  • Voorhees Preserve Trail Map (.pdf)  

  • Warm Springs Mountain Bear Loop Trail Map (.pdf)

  • Warm Springs Mountain Ingalls Overlook Trail Map (.pdf)

Island Steward Resources

• Commitment

  No regular island visitation schedule will be set; steward responsibilities will be on an on-going, opportunistic basis, when volunteers choose to visit the islands. Stewards interested in volunteering at boat ramps can set their own schedule and report days and hours spent to TNC staff.

• Qualifications

  • Volunteer should be local Eastern Shore residents or frequent visitor who is familiar with the local waters.  

  • Excellent communication skills which can positively and effectively, yet casually, educate all island visitors.

  • Desire to help protect the biodiversity of the Volgenau Virginia Coast Reserve through education of island visitors.

  • Must have transportation to get on and off the islands, as well as familiarity with the local waterways unless only interested in volunteering at boat ramps.

  • Must undergo a background check (requires SSN) and Nature Conservancy Youth Safety Qualifications prior to volunteering which will take 1.5-2 hours of time.