Work Party FAQ’s

I don’t have any of the tools listed. Can I still be helpful?
Most definitely! We have a supply of tools, which we always bring to workdays. We ask volunteers to bring their own tools to supplement ours, and so that they can use tools they are familiar with.

What do I need to bring besides tools?
Wear tough outdoor clothing that can get grubby. Long sleeves and pants in pale colors will help you spot and remove ticks before they bite. We recommend sturdy boots with good ankle support for most projects. Some projects involve working or walking in mud and muck; for these, wear shoes that can take it, and bring a dry pair for the ride home. Bring a bag lunch and plenty to drink. We suggest wearing a backpack or fanny pack so you can carry them hands free. We provide extra drinks and snacks.

I live downtown and don’t have a car. Can I still help?
If you request it, we will try to arrange carpools with other volunteers or with staff who are attending the project. We can’t always find you a nearby match, but we’ll try!

I feel bad driving great distances to help the environment. Don’t you have any projects closer to Baltimore/DC/Frederick?
Since our preserves are havens for rare species and most rare species don’t favor metropolitan areas, our time on the land entails long drives for our DC/Baltimore members, volunteers and staff. If you’re looking for a volunteer placement closer to home, check out www.volunteermatch.org and specify your desired travel distance.

Can the Nature Conservancy reimburse me for mileage, tolls and other expenses associated with volunteering?
If travel expenses are truly a barrier to your participation, call us and we’ll talk. Also, volunteers can deduct unreimbursed expenses such as mileage, meals and lodging at tax time. Check with your tax advisor for details and for each year’s mileage rate.

What if I need to leave early?
In most cases that’s just fine. Our work parties are all-day affairs to make the most of our travel and preparation time. If you need to leave early, just tell us when you sign up, or as soon as possible after you find out. If we're working far from the parking area with no marked trails, we’ll plan to escort you out.

Does the Conservancy provide lodging for multi-day projects?
For multi-day projects like Eco-Weekends, we provide a list of places to stay that usually includes a free accommodation, such as camping on a volunteer’s land or bunk space in a lodge. It also includes local hotels, motels or B&B’s where you can make your own arrangements if you seek more luxury.

Are your work parties suitable for kids or families?
In principle, kids and families are always welcome! In practice, some projects are suitable for kids, and some aren’t. So much depends on a child’s age and maturity and how closely the parents supervise. We’ll let you read the project descriptions and decide for yourself; please call us if you have questions or want to chat about it. While young children do slow down the work somewhat, they bring such a fresh wonderful perspective that we're glad to have them along!

What happens if the weather is bad?
Since we’re not always able to reach volunteers to inform them of last-minute changes and cancellations, we have set up a Volunteer Information Line where you can learn of any schedule changes. We ask that you check it after 8pm the night before any workday. Call (703) 841-8799, ext. 2487.

In warmer weather, it’s fun and can be productive to work in the rain, so we usually do unless it presents hazards. In colder weather, we may cancel or use a rain date. The Volunteer Information Line is your way to find our latest plans. We base these plans on predictions about the weather at the work site, not the weather at home!