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The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin Wisconsin Home Contact Places We Protect Field Trips & Events Press Releases Public Policy Volunteer Ways of Giving |
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The Nature Conservancy's Longterm Volunteer Opportunities within the U.S.
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North Dakota Oregon South Dakota Wyoming |
ARIZONA
TNC's Hart Prairie Preserve (located 30 minutes north of Flagstaff, Arizona) is looking for a seasonal on-site volunteer host for six months, from May 1 - Oct 31. The person(s) would perform a variety of visitor services, maintenance, and stewardship duties at the preserve. The on-site host reports to the Northern Arizona Program Coordinator, and works closely with the Preserve Assistant and Program Director. It is our expectation that it will generally take approximately 35 hours per week to accomplish the duties as outlined below (50 hours per week if a couple). General maintenance duties will account for approximately 10 hours per week. The on-site host will spend the remaining time performing various visitor services and stewardship duties that will vary based on the season. The on-site host is on-duty Wednesday through Sunday. The host is "on-call" during all off-duty hours and responds to urgent or emergency situations as necessary during off-duty hours. The on-site host's length of service is six months (May 1 - October 31), and the service agreement may be renewed based on host's performance. The on-site host must sign a volunteer agreement for individual voluntary services before occupying the host site.
General description of duties include:
Visitor Services
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Unlock and open preserve gate when groups arrive for workshops, open houses, work weekends, nature walks, etc. Make sure visitors do not enter the preserve when not attending a Conservancy organized or approved event.
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Serve as visitor greeter during several shifts each week and orient visitor groups who are meeting
and/or staying at HP (bathroom location, operation of audio visual equipment, office location and rules, etc.). -
Provide visitors with information on The Nature Conservancy and its work at Hart Prairie, in Arizona, and around the world.
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Ensure that guest observe limitations on access to Life Estate around Wilson Family cabins and surrounding 50 acres.
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Serve as guided walk leader for Wednesday and Sunday nature walks on an as needed basis.
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Maintain the wildlife sightings list.
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Maintain preserve event calendar and office schedule.
Maintenance
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Perform daily basic tasks such as picking up trash, weeding/trimming parking lot, and watering plants as needed.
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Take trash and recyclables from the preserve to appropriate in-town facilities once a week.
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Assist in performing trail maintenance-brushing and limbing paths in order to keep them safe and open. Check preserve trail conditions weekly.
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Keep preserve free of all pets, cattle, and horses.
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Assist with other preventive and ongoing maintenance needs as observed and assigned.
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Report to Program Coordinator any major repairs needed.
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Serve as a team leader during volunteer work weekends.
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Complete minor maintenance tasks and projects as assigned by supervisor.
Stewardship
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Assist with exotic species control, brush pile disposal, and prescribed fire application as needed (current Red Card with Herbicide Applicator certification desirable).
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Assist with preserve management and monitoring as needed.
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Maintain calendar of any visiting scientists or researchers conducting studies on the preserve.
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Maintain records of flow gages at spring and diversion boxes.
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Maintain the precipitation and temperature log.
(Please note: This position has been filled for 2006. Interested volunteers for the 2007 season should contact the Program Coordinator at the contact information below. )
Contact: Rebecca Garrett, Northern Arizona Program Coordinator
(928) 774-8892 ext 5
rgarrett@tnc.org
114 N. San Francisco Street, Suite 205
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
The Amargosa River rises in Nevada north of Las Vegas and runs south along the CA/NV border before crossing into California and terminating in Death Valley at Badwater, the lowest spot in the US. We do not at present have any places where there is a house or other indoor lodging for volunteers. There are a number of spots, including China Ranch, Shoshone, and a couple of other locations we are in the process of acquiring, however, where volunteers could camp for free and where there is water and food located nearby. Our volunteer opportunities at the moment focus primarily on the removal of invasive vegetation from the riparian area of the river and its tributaries. It is physically demanding and, to be honest, unpleasant work, using chain saws and brush cutters to cut tamarisk, a widely distributed non-native shrubby tree. Volunteers would only want to be here during the cool season, running roughly from mid-October to mid-April. If you would like further information or emailable photos, please let me know.
Contact: William Christian, Director
(626) 437-2940
bchristian@tnc.org
Located in the foothills below Mount Lassen, the 37,540-acre Gray Davis Dye Creek Preserve is an expansive landscape of blue oak woodlands, volcanic buttes, and rolling wildflower fields. The landscape is dissected dramatically by Dye Creek Canyon with its vertical cliffs, clear-water creek, and diverse riparian forests. The forest widens as it leaves the canyon mouth and flows westward, through wetlands, to its confluence with the Sacramento River.
Volunteer opportunities vary throughout the year; a studio apartment and a bunkroom are available to volunteers as lodging.
Contact: Peter Hujik
(530) 527-4261
hujik@tnc.org
The San Miguel River Preserves
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Volunteer opportunities are plentiful but demand a determined individual who enjoys the rugged outdoors. No facility is available for housing but campsites and RV sites are accessible. While there, volunteers can monitor the visitor site, do weed eradication, fence maintenance and removal, nature interpretation, field restoration, and other possible needed services. For more information and directions, please call Mallory Dimmitt.
Contact: Mallory Dimmitt, San Miguel and Dolores Rivers Project Director
(970) 728-5291
Mdimmitt@tnc.org
San Miguel & Dolores Rivers Project
The Nature Conservancy of Colorado
PO Box 3140
120 S. Pine Street, #201
Telluride, CO 81435
The Moody Forest Natural Area (MFNA) is a 4,300 acre preserve on the Altamaha River in southeast GA jointly owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy and the GA Department of Natural Resources and staffed by TNC. It protects old growth longleaf pine/blackjack oak forests and old growth bottomland hardwood swamps. Various volunteer opportunities may include trail maintenance, boundary posting and maintenance, biological monitoring, and facilities maintenance. The preserve has a workshop, office, kitchen, two bathrooms, and three bunkhouses. For more information please call or e-mail.
Contact: Scott Saucier, Preserve Director
(912) 366-9549
ssaucier@tnc.org.
Less than 20 miles from the western edge of Yellowstone National Park, the Nature Conservancy's Flat Ranch protects nearly 1700 acres of prime habitat for sandhill cranes, hawks, songbirds, waterfowl, coyotes, antelope, deer, and elk. Nearly three miles of the Henry's Fork of the Snake River lie within the boundaries of the ranch, sustaining an impressive riparian corridor and providing habitat for cutthroat trout. The Flat Ranch also serves as a working cattle ranch and an example of sustainable grazing practices. In the 12 years that the Conservancy has owned the Flat Ranch, we have worked successfully with many landowners near the ranch to establish a conservation corridor around Henry's Lake and along the Henry's Fork and its tributaries.
As a volunteer at the Flat Ranch, opportunities will include hosting at the visitor center, leading nature walks, restoration work, trail and building maintenance, and fence construction and removal. Accommodations are limited, so an individual or a couple with an RV is required. Contact the Eastern Idaho Land Steward for more information.
Contact: Chet Work, Eastern Idaho Land Steward
(208) 522-4350
Eastern Idaho Land Steward
The Nature Conservancy
151 N. Ridge Avenue, Suite 110
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
Silver Creek Preserve
Flowing at the base of the Picabo hills, Silver Creek attracts eagles, hawks, songbirds, waterfowl, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, deer, and elk. Silver Creek's globally unique aquatic ecosystem features one of the highest densities of stream insects in North America, and supports a world-class fishery. In the 30 years that the Conservancy has owned Silver Creek, we have worked successfully with many landowners to establish a conservation corridor along Silver Creek and its tributaries.
As a volunteer at Silver Creek, opportunities will include hosting at the visitor center, leading nature walks, restoration work, trail maintenance, and helping with special public events. Accommodations are limited to a possible house, but an RV would be preferred.
Contact: Dayna Smith, Silver Creek Preserve Manager
(208) 788-7910
Silver Creek Reserve
PO Box 624
Picabo, ID 83348
Nachusa Grasslands, a lovely 2500-acre preserve of The Nature Conservancy, has an active volunteer stewardship program year round. We have a simple room in a farm house for volunteers who might want to work a few weeks or months helping us out. No children under 16. Seed picking in September is an excellent way to learn about the prairie.
Contact: Bill Kleiman, Preserve Manager
(815) 456-2340
bkleiman@tnc.org
Nachusa Grasslands Preserve
The Nature Conservancy of Illinois
8772 S. Lowden
Franklin Grove, IL 61031
Hoft Farm Preserve, Martha's Vineyard
Operated by the Islands Office of TNC's Massachusetts Chapter, the Hoft Farm field station is a converted farm house designed to facilitate research and stewardship in support of TNC conservation objectives on the island of Martha's Vineyard. TNC's main focus in this landscape is a suite of globally rare, disturbance-dependent natural communities associated with dry glacial outwash soils that constitute the southern and central portions of the Vineyard. In addition to ongoing land protection efforts, the Islands Office engages in an active land management program that promotes the conditions required by a range of rare plants, invertebrates, and birds.
Though it may be best known as a resort community, Martha's Vineyard is also a hotspot of biodiversity. Its coastal location, unusual geological and human history, and distinctive vegetation account both for the island's beauty and for its biological wealth. In countless subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) ways, the Vineyard is different from any place you've ever been. Volunteers for TNC's Islands Program can expect to learn about the Vineyard's unique local ecology as they contribute to the protection of threatened habitats and wildlife.
The Islands Office doesn't currently have a formal, ongoing volunteer program, but conservation activity takes place year-round, and additional hands are often needed. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact either the Islands Office Program Manager or Land Steward to discuss possible projects and the availability of lodging. Islands Office staff will try to match one or more projects with the skills and interests of potential volunteers. Free lodging is available for volunteers at the Hoft Farm during much of the year, although the field station is often full at the height of the field season, roughly from July 1 through Labor Day. The need for volunteers is generally greatest during spring (May and June) and autumn (September and October).
Areas in which appropriately skilled volunteers could make significant contributions include:
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Manual control of invasive plants
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Public education and outreach
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Biological monitoring, surveys, and observation
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Trail and facility maintenance
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Horticultural work in a native plant propagation center
Contact:
Matt Pelikan, Islands Office Program Manager
(508) 693-6287 ext 11
mpelikan@tnc.org
Liz Loucks, Land Steward
(508) 693-6287 ext 15
eloucks@tnc.org
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Opportunities to work vary, and may include but are not limited to:
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General ranch work such as building/maintaining/removing fence and cleaning up ranch-yards
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Weed control
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GPS mapping
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Ecological and wildlife monitoring
We welcome one to two volunteers at a time, between the months of May and October. Volunteers must be willing to commit to a minimum of three weeks. Contact the Project Director by e-mail for more information.
Contact: Linda Poole, Glaciated Plains Project Director
(406) 658-2192
lpoole@tnc.org
Matador Ranch Preserve
The Nature Conservancy of Montana
HC 63, Box 5032
Dodson, MT 59524
The beautiful Pine Butte Guest Ranch has limited volunteer opportunities available during the summer. Call them for all the latest information! Visit the Choteau area along the Rocky Mountain Front, and surround yourself with the glories of nature.
Contact: Lee Barhaugh, Guest Ranch Manager
(406) 466-2158
lbarhaugh@tnc.org
Pine Butte Guest Ranch
The Nature Conservancy of Montana
351 South Fork Road
Choteau, MT 59422
The Platte River Preserve has long been recognized as a major migratory bird resource in the state of Nebraska. Birds utilizing the Great Plains Flyway have found the combination of broad river channels, wet meadows, and abundant food supply offered by the Platte an attractive combination. From an international point of view, the Platte River is the critical link in a migratory pathway used by millions of birds as they travel back and forth from Siberia, Canada and the United States, and Central and South America. More than 300 species of migratory birds visit the Platte Valley on an annual basis, and over 130 species nest in the valley. Some seven to nine million ducks and geese, as well as over 500,000 Sandhill cranes, rely on this area during the spring migration. Literally, the Platte River Valley is the "pinch in the hourglass" for the Great Plains Prairie Flyway. It is recognized as one of the 12 best birding locations in the nation. The 80-miles stretch of Platte River between Overton and Chapman provides critical roosting and feeding areas for Sandhill cranes and other migratory water birds. Working with Platte River Whooping Crane Trust, the Conservancy has helped to protect approximately, 8,000 acres within the Big Bend Reach. The Big Bend region is also of great historical interest. It is where the pioneer trails meet and head west. There are many historic and cultural opportunities to be experienced.
Come and volunteer as a Prairie Planter. Grassland restorations are an ongoing project. Also, the Conservancy has been working with Prairie Plains Resource Institute to restore native prairie along the Platte River. Harvesting and planting more than 120 species of native prairie seeds on annual bases requires much effort. There are also lots of opportunities to work at a computer with data entry, cataloging articles and pictures. The Derr House, which includes full accommodations, is available for volunteers.
Contact: Mardell Jasnowski, Operations Assistant
(402) 694-4191
mjasnowski@tnc.org
Eastern Nebraska Project Office
1228 L Street, Suite 1
PO Box 438
Aurora, NE 68818
Niobrara Valley Preserve
Volunteer Where The Buffalo Roam
The Niobrara Valley Preserve in north central Nebraska is looking for an individual or a couple who would like to volunteer for at least a month from May through September. The Preserve encompasses 56,000 acres of riparian woodlands and mixed-grass prairie. This beautiful rugged landscape is where the buffalo roam (there are two herds on the Preserve) and the deer and the antelope play.
The volunteer(s) should have an interest in helping with some of the following:
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Providing a presence in the Visitor's Center
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Giving guided walks and assisting with bison tours if needed
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Assisting in the cleaning and maintenance of the visitor facilities
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Assisting with grounds maintenance such as mowing, weed-eating, and keeping hiking trails clear
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Assisting with the cattle, bison, or woodland programs when needed
A trailer hookup (electricity, water and sewer) is available. Other accommodations may be possible. The volunteer should be available from Friday through Monday to assist visitors, as there is no preserve staff available on weekends. Help is always needed on other days if the volunteer is available.
Contact: Tracey Vodehnal, Volunteer Coordinator
(402) 722-4440
tvodehnal@tnc.org
Niobrara Valley Preserve
The Nature Conservancy of Nebraska
RR 1 Box 348
Johnstown, NE 69214
'Piping Plover Patrol' Volunteer Program:
The successful abatement of human disturbance threats to endangered beach-nesting birds is made possible with the hard work and dedication of seasonal interns and volunteers. The "Piping Plover Patrol" is a valuable program designed to train volunteers to assist Conservancy staff on a variety of beach-nesting bird protection efforts including erecting symbolic fencing and Piping Plover "exclosures" and ensuring preserve rules are followed by visitors. The training program begins with an introduction to the Conservancy's Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge, one of the most visited natural areas in New Jersey. Most participants are then scheduled to volunteer their time on a regular daily or weekly basis in three-hour shifts. New volunteers are often paired with seasoned volunteers or Conservancy staff for a hands-on experience during their first few patrols. Once Conservancy staff members feel comfortable with a volunteer's abilities, the volunteer Plover Patroller will spend their time patrolling the beach and educating beach-goers, while abating human-use disturbances to birds and recording data such as nesting habits and observed stresses. With an annual increase in visitation to the Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge, the value of the Piping Plover Patrol to the protection of endangered Piping Plovers becomes increasingly critical. The efficacy of The Nature Conservancy's protection of Piping Plovers and other threatened and endangered beach nesters, such as Least Terns, relies heavily on the success of the volunteer Piping Plover Patrol. This volunteer program runs from mid-April until mid-September. Volunteers are encouraged to participate any time during the Piping Plover protection season.
Shorebird Docent Volunteer Program:
The Delaware Bayshores play host to one of the world's most stunning phenomena of nature. Unparalleled masses of horseshoe crabs emerge from the depths of the continental shelf to spawn on the sandy beaches, laying eggs by the tons. At exactly the same time, millions of migrating shorebirds depart from their South American wintering homes. During their 10,000-mile journey to the sub-arctic, the birds stop on the sandy beaches of the Delaware Bayshores to rest and refuel, gorging themselves on masses of horseshoe crab eggs. As caretakers for the beach and dune habitats of the bayshores, The Nature Conservancy and its partners work to protect the feeding shorebirds by training volunteers to monitor and safeguard the beaches these birds need to survive their journey. Equipped with informational packets and educational hand-outs, volunteer 'Shorebird Docents' patrol the beach and educate visitors during this truly remarkable natural phenomenon. Volunteers often make their own schedules; a typical volunteer will often work in 2 hour intervals twice to three times per week. This volunteer program runs from mid-April until the end of June and may vary depending on the dates in which this natural phenomenon occurs. Volunteers are encouraged to participate any time during the horseshoe crab and shorebird protection season.
If you would like further information about either of these exciting volunteer opportunities, please do not hesitate to write or call. Cape May and its surrounding areas are vacationer-friendly, with bed-n-breakfasts, hotels, motels, and various types of campgrounds and camping opportunities.
Contact: Alyssa Allen, Volunteer Program Specialist
aallen@tnc.org
The Nature Conservancy of New Jersey
Delaware Bayshores Office
2350 Route 47
Delmont, NJ 08314
The Bear Mountain Lodge on-site volunteer naturalist performs a variety of visitor services and maintenance duties at the lodge. The on-site naturalist reports to the Bear Mountain Lodge staff naturalist and works closely with the lodge manager and groundskeeper. It is our expectation that it will generally take approximately 15 hours per week to accomplish the duties as outlined in this volunteer position description. The on-site naturalist is on duty throughout the week as needed when the lodge is open to the public. The naturalist is "on call" during all off-duty hours and responds to urgent or emergency situations as necessary during off-duty hours. The on-site naturalist's length of service is three months, and the service agreement may be renewed based on naturalist's performance. The on-site naturalist must sign a volunteer agreement for individual voluntary services before occupying the staff house.
Guest Services
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Answer the lodge cell phone during nighttime off-duty hours (generally between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.) and be available to respond to urgent or emergency situations during that time.
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Serve as volunteer naturalist at least two days a week, as well as on a fill-in basis. This may include leading birding tours, giving slide presentations, or leading guided nature walks.
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Assist lodge naturalist with creating educational displays and other program enhancement projects such as a self-guided trail, virtual preserve tour, DVD library, and herbarium.
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Assist lodge staff as needed with the following tasks: greeting guests, taking reservation, assisting with laundry and baking, bussing tables, and washing dishes.
Maintenance
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Fill bird feeders daily, and clean feeders according to schedule.
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Sweep porches, sidewalks, and flagstone if needed.
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Assist with the installation and maintenance of the pollinator garden.
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Assist lodge naturalist in performing trail maintenance and pulling invasive species on the property.
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Fill the pond with water as needed.
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Report to lodge manager any major repairs needed.
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Assist with other preventive and ongoing maintenance needs as observed and assigned.
Other
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Record all volunteer hours in log.
Contact: Maura Gonsoir, Lodge Manager
(505) 538-2538
The Nature Conservancy of New Mexico
212 East Marcy Street, Suite 200
Santa Fe, NM 87501
www.bearmountainlodge.com
The remarkable Pine Bush Preserve, located in upstate New York, has opportunities for volunteers to:
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Assist with preserve management: boundary posting; trail clearing, brushing and marking, tree and trash removal, and fire-break preparation
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Conduct research on rare plants and communities, such as the Blue Lupine and Karner Blue butterfly
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Help with prescribed burning
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Lend a hand with invasive species management
There is no limit to the amount of time we can accommodate a volunteer at the APBP; we currently have very rustic lodging available.
Contact: Wendy Borden, Volunteer/Outreach Coordinator
(518) 785-1800 ext 211
wborden@tnc.org
Albany Pine Bush Preserve
195 New Karner Road
Albany, NY 12205
www.albanypinebush.org
Come visit 6,000 acres of rolling prairie and lush floodplain forest near Bismarck that combines outstanding natural values with historic interest. Wheatgrasses, gramas, and needlegrasses blanket surrounding hillsides; tallgrass and trees thrive in moist ravines. Some of the forest features are: cottonwood, green ash, boxelder, elm, bur oak, and an understory of grasses, sedges, and wildflowers. There is also an adjoining upland prairie with more than 100 species of wild flowers, over 100 species of birds, and bison herds.
Volunteer activities might include:
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Conducting surveys
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General ranch-hand work
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Landscaping
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Building maintenance
Accommodations are a primitive bunkhouse (no electricity/plumbing), a nearby RV site, or camping at nearby Cross Ranch State Park. Please contact the preserve manager about making a contribution of time and energy to a most worthwhile cause.
Contact: Eric Rosenquist, Preserve Manager
(701) 794-8741
Cross Ranch
The Nature Conservancy
1401 River Road
Center, ND 58530-9445
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Volunteers must be willing to:
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Commit to at least two weeks
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Maintain barbed wire fences to prevent livestock from coming onto the preserve from adjacent private and public lands
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Familiarize themselves with the location and condition of fences and make efforts to remove livestock from the preserve if necessary
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Interact comfortably with landowners, ranchers, and the public
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Monitor road closure violations during the October hunting season
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Assist with invasive species removal efforts
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Assist researchers with monitoring vegetation
Special projects may be identified depending on individual skills. A four-wheel drive vehicle with high clearance is a must! We also need to ask that dogs be left at home.
Contact: Molly Dougherty
(503) 802-8100
mdougherty@tnc.org
The Nature Conservancy seeks volunteers interested in spending a minimum of two weeks, and possibly up to a couple of months, at Dunstan Homestead Preserve (near John Day in eastern Oregon) between the months of October and March. Duties include general maintenance, fence repair, and some monitoring tasks, depending on the season. Compensation is in the form of cushy accommodations in one of Oregon's most beautiful valleys and the chance to spend quality time with Blackjack the cat.
Contact: Molly Dougherty
(503) 802-8100
mdougherty@tnc.org
Come visit the 7,800-acre prairie in McPherson County where big bluestem and cordgrass tower 6-7' high from swales and little bluestem, western wheatgrass, porcupine grass, and buffalo grass cover the slopes. Hillsides blaze with wildflowers from late spring throughout summer. There are over 300 plant species, and several thousand pairs of waterfowl may nest near the preserve's 400 wetlands. Many shorebirds are also evident, along with the majestic ferruginous hawk, white-tailed deer, red fox, coyote, raccoons, and badgers. A self-guided nature trail is available. Volunteer opportunities include but are not limited to: research, invasive species control, and preserve upkeep. Accommodations are shared housing in a bunkhouse, or there is camping nearby.
Contact: Mary Miller, Preserve Manager
(605) 439-3475
Samuel H. Ordway, Jr. Memorial Preserve
The Nature Conservancy
35333 - 115th Street
Leola, SD 57456
The magnificent Tensleep Preserve has limited volunteer opportunities available during the summer. Call them for all the latest information!
Visit the Western flanks of the Bighorn Mountains and surround yourself with the glories of nature while you perform:
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Manual labor such as pulling weeds, building/tearing down fences, and trail building/maintenance
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Office duties, including answering the phone and filing
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Plant monitoring
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Assistance to the visitor programs
Tensleep Preserve has several options for housing including wood floored wall tents, indoor rooms with electric heat, indoor showers and restrooms and cooking facilities that may be used by volunteers for the summer.
Contact: Trey Davis, Preserve manager
(307) 366-2671
trey_davis@tnc.org
Tensleep Preserve
The Nature Conservancy of Wyoming
1095 C Road 56
Ten Sleep, WY 82442
This list was last updated February, 2006 by Nature Conservancy volunteer Heidi Burns, who was overseen by Scott Boven, the Volunteer Program Manager for TNC-Virginia. For questions or comments on this list, please contact Scott at sboven@tnc.org or (434) 951-0585.
