VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Grass River! Without our generous and knowledgeable volunteers, Grass River Natural Area would not exist as we know it today. There are a variety of fun and rewarding volunteer opportunities at Grass River covering many interests. We are sure you'll find an opportunity that is perfect for you! We invite you to read about our volunteer positions below and become part of this amazing team!
Volunteer Position Descriptions
Education Program Volunteer
Education Program Volunteers assist with large educational programs, including school field trips, home school programs, public programs, family festivals and events. Volunteers provide support and assistance to naturalists while they lead classes or events for children or adults. Assistance during field trips may include preparation of programs, distributing supplies, supervising groups of children, answering questions, redirecting students, and possibly some teaching. During larger festival events, volunteers may assist in directing visitors or leading an activity. Most programs range from 2 to 5 hours in length. The number of programs varies seasonally.
Trail Monitor
Trail monitors adopt a section of trail and then monitor and report trail conditions and hours logged on a regular basis. Reports may include issues such as trees down, trail impediments, broken boardwalks or missing signs. This position also includes answering questions and providing information to visitors, observing visitor use patterns and documenting any noxious or invasive plant species.
Land and Trail Steward
Trail Stewards may also be Trail Monitors (see above description). Stewards may adopt a section of trail or serve as floating volunteers. They perform basic trail maintenance functions including trimming, simple boardwalk repair, removing debris and sign replacement or installment. This position may also entail manually removing invasive plant species. Trail maintenance will be conducted using a variety of hand tools which require training on how to properly and safely use the tools. The land and trail steward may work independently or assist staff with larger stewardship projects. All completed work and hours logged must be documented and reported to the GRNA Facilities and Land Steward.
Docent
Docents serve as interpreters for visitors, connecting them to the incredible natural world of Grass River. Working in either the Nature Center or on the trails as guides, docents share their knowledge of Grass River’s ecology and history with the public. Docents also serve as the face of Grass River in many instances by serving as the first greeters for most visitors and by answering basic questions both about the Natural Area programs and trails as well as the surrounding community. In addition to these roles, docents may also assist staff with event set up and preparation and help with other tasks around the Nature Center as well as be recruited as lead volunteers for select volunteer days.
Conservation Steward
Conservation Stewards have the opportunity to contribute to various components of the Grass River Natural Area Natural Resources Management Plan as citizen scientists. Volunteer led efforts to sustain and monitor natural features, biological diversity and ecological diversity is a key component of the management plan. Conservation Stewards may perform a variety of tasks from taking part in macroinvertebrate collections to conducting bird surveys. Other projects may include identifying and documenting non-native and native plant species or recording butterfly populations for the Michigan Butterfly Network.
Native Plant Gardener
Our native plant gardeners maintain the established plantings around the Nature Center, including the Wetland, Meadow and Serenity gardens. Gardeners will be responsible for weeding, watering and general maintenance of the native species in our gardens. These volunteers will also have the opportunity to participate in the Nature Center Garden Club.
Education Program Volunteer
Education Program Volunteers assist with large educational programs, including school field trips, home school programs, public programs, family festivals and events. Volunteers provide support and assistance to naturalists while they lead classes or events for children or adults. Assistance during field trips may include preparation of programs, distributing supplies, supervising groups of children, answering questions, redirecting students, and possibly some teaching. During larger festival events, volunteers may assist in directing visitors or leading an activity. Most programs range from 2 to 5 hours in length. The number of programs varies seasonally.
Trail Monitor
Trail monitors adopt a section of trail and then monitor and report trail conditions and hours logged on a regular basis. Reports may include issues such as trees down, trail impediments, broken boardwalks or missing signs. This position also includes answering questions and providing information to visitors, observing visitor use patterns and documenting any noxious or invasive plant species.
Land and Trail Steward
Trail Stewards may also be Trail Monitors (see above description). Stewards may adopt a section of trail or serve as floating volunteers. They perform basic trail maintenance functions including trimming, simple boardwalk repair, removing debris and sign replacement or installment. This position may also entail manually removing invasive plant species. Trail maintenance will be conducted using a variety of hand tools which require training on how to properly and safely use the tools. The land and trail steward may work independently or assist staff with larger stewardship projects. All completed work and hours logged must be documented and reported to the GRNA Facilities and Land Steward.
Docent
Docents serve as interpreters for visitors, connecting them to the incredible natural world of Grass River. Working in either the Nature Center or on the trails as guides, docents share their knowledge of Grass River’s ecology and history with the public. Docents also serve as the face of Grass River in many instances by serving as the first greeters for most visitors and by answering basic questions both about the Natural Area programs and trails as well as the surrounding community. In addition to these roles, docents may also assist staff with event set up and preparation and help with other tasks around the Nature Center as well as be recruited as lead volunteers for select volunteer days.
Conservation Steward
Conservation Stewards have the opportunity to contribute to various components of the Grass River Natural Area Natural Resources Management Plan as citizen scientists. Volunteer led efforts to sustain and monitor natural features, biological diversity and ecological diversity is a key component of the management plan. Conservation Stewards may perform a variety of tasks from taking part in macroinvertebrate collections to conducting bird surveys. Other projects may include identifying and documenting non-native and native plant species or recording butterfly populations for the Michigan Butterfly Network.
Native Plant Gardener
Our native plant gardeners maintain the established plantings around the Nature Center, including the Wetland, Meadow and Serenity gardens. Gardeners will be responsible for weeding, watering and general maintenance of the native species in our gardens. These volunteers will also have the opportunity to participate in the Nature Center Garden Club.
GETTING STARTED
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Please fill our our Volunteer Information Form to become one of our amazing volunteers.
To learn more about what we've been up to check out our past newsletters. For additional information call (231) 533-8314 or email info@grassriver.org Grass River Natural Area, Inc. is a member of Northwest Michigan Association of Volunteer Administrators |
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