The Nature Conservancy in Vermont - Volunteer Opportunities through the Southern Lake Champlain Valley Office

Southern Lake Champlain Valley - 2008 Volunteer Opportunities

Tree Planting in West Haven & Benson, VT
Every spring, we ask for your help in planting hundreds, sometimes thousands of trees — and you may wonder why we spend so much time and energy doing so. One of the main reasons is that the rate of natural vegetative regeneration in many places we protect is inhibited. In Otter Creek Swamps, for example, dominant non-native, agricultural grasses prevent the establishment of trees such as silver maple and green ash. Poor germination, seedling predators, and altered hydrology patterns also limit natural growth of native species.

By planting trees at Otter Creek we seek to accelerate the pace of regeneration and improve site conditions by restoring natural woody vegetation. This helps reduce hydrologic disruption and decreases fragmentation in the living ribbon of forests and adjacent swamps that border the creek. The overall effect is to enhance the connectivity from river to floodplain to swamp — on land that is marginal for agricultural production anyway due high seasonal floodwaters. An additional benefit is that these efforts provide a demonstration site from which we and other organizations can learn about restoration in the swamp.

Please join us for tree planting at the Hubbardton River Clayplain Preserve, where we are reclaiming and evaluating clayplain forest restoration. Groups may call to schedule a workday that fits within their schedule (minimum 2 hour, on-site commitment plus travel is required).

May 1st, 6th, 7th, 8th, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, and June 4th, 2008 - 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Tree Propagation at the Native Plant Restoration Nursery, Whitehall, NY
Assist the Native Plant Nursery Grower with the planting and transplanting of native seeds and seedlings. Work includes: filling pots and seedling flats with soil mix; planting seeds in the pots or flats; preparing labels and labeling the pots and flats; transplanting seedlings to larger pots.

Every Tuesday and Thursday during May and June, 2008 - 3 hours in morning or afternoon.

Garlic Mustard Pulling in western Rutland county, VT

Assist staff in combating invasive species that threaten important plant and animal habitats.

Work involves hand-pulling garlic mustard on select private lands and/or preserve sites with Conservancy staff. Workdays will meet at the Southern Lake Champlain Valley Program office in West Haven, Vermont.

May 13th, 27th and June 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th and 12th, 2008 - 9:30 am to 1:00 pm.

Trail Maintenance / Trash Cleanup in West Haven, VT
Assist stewardship staff with the regular maintenance of hiking trails on preserves, including trail repairs, brush clearing, re-routing and marking. Meet at the trail head to Tim's Trail in West Haven.

June 20th, 2008 - 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Please sign up at least two days in advance.
All training, tools and supplies are provided.

For more information or to sign up for these volunteer opportunities, contact
Cathy Foutch at (802) 265-8645 ext. 27 or by email at cfoutch@tnc.org.