Volunteer Classifieds

Your time and talents are needed! For more information about the following volunteer opportunities, and to learn how to apply, please call Barbara Bhattacharya, Volunteer Program Coordinator, at (614) 717-2770. Or, send an e-mail to bbhattacharya@tnc.org.

Ohio Natural Heritage Program

The Ohio Natural Heritage Program manages the largest biological database in the state, housing over 16,000 records on rare animals, plants, lichens, significant plant communities and geological features, and conservation areas. This program was created by The Nature Conservancy in 1976 and transferred to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Natural Areas & Preserves in 1977. State and federal agencies, non-profit organizations, county park districts, watershed planning organizations, academic institutions, and environmental consultants continually use this data. We are looking for volunteers to do one or both of the following positions:

Field Biologist

Field Biologist will assist field staff in inventory and vegetation sampling projects throughout the state. This will include assistance in searching for rare animals and plants on state nature preserves and other ODNR lands, as well as other private and public conserved lands and private property throughout the state. Some particular projects include: monitoring the state endangered blue scorpionweed; searching for the federally threatened Virginia Spiraea; rare species inventory work at Shawnee State Forest; sampling plant communities along the Lake Erie coast; and sampling herbaceous plants at Mohican State Forest. Field Biologist volunteers should have some knowledge of Ohio's fauna and/or flora and be familiar with digital cameras and GPS units. Please be aware that some field trips can be strenuous. This position is great for persons interested in seeing Ohio's natural areas and learning more about Ohio's rare animals and plants.

Estimated total time commitment: Varying during the field season.
Preferred day: Depends on field schedule during the week. May have to work on some weekends.

Heritage Database Assistant

Heritage Database Assistant will assist Heritage staff in: filing maps, reports, and heritage forms; researching information on rare animals and plants, entering field notes into Access databases; entering vegetation sampling data into Excel spreadsheets; researching information on invasive species, reviewing reports and journal articles for data on rare species. Heritage Database Assistants should have some background with computers especially Access & Excel software. Some background in GIS is a plus. This position is great for a person who is interested in rare species conservation and learning about Ohio's rare animals and plants.

Start date: At any time
Completion date: N/A
Estimated total time commitment: 4-12 hours a week.
Preferred day: Can be flexible with volunteer's schedule but prefer Monday and/or Friday. Days will be more limited during field season due to staff working in the field.

Contact:
Rick Gardner, Heritage Botanist
Ohio Natural Heritage Program
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Division of Natural Areas & Preserves
2045 Morse Road, Building F-1
Columbus, Ohio 43229
614.265-6419
rick.gardner@dnr.state.oh.us