Volunteer Opportunities

Do you like nature and being outside with children? Are you concerned that many children are not developing an appreciation for nature? Would you like to help children learn about growing and harvesting food? You can help by volunteering with our school field trips. No experience is necessary! We will train you and mentor you with naturalists and experienced volunteers. You can volunteer as often or as little as you like.

Calling all teenagers: Do you love nature, animals and being outdoors? If so, then we need you! Volunteers are needed to assist with animal care, gardening and trail work, interacting with visitors, and helping around the nature center. Community service hours will be awarded.

PLEASE NOTE: Teen volunteers MUST BE AT LEAST 13 years of age to assist at our Nature Center.

Would you like to help take care of the frogs, toads, turtles, and snake in our Animal Room? Are you interested in creating exhibits about animals, plants, geology, and conservation to be used to teach Park visitors? Would you like to help us monitor our bluebird boxes? Would you like to volunteer in our Summer Nature and Farm Camps?

Do you like to garden? We use our beautiful, bountiful garden to teach school groups and the public about growing food in harmony with nature. We need individuals, families, and groups to help us nurture our garden. Whether you’re a student who needs community service or a senior who likes to care for plants, or a corporate group looking for a “team-building experience,” we’ve got something for you to do.

To volunteer in our Children’s Garden, contact Anne Wedgeworth at 410-887-3014 or email.

Join us at our monthly Saturday work mornings. This option is perfect for groups and for individuals who want to help once or for a few times. We have gloves and garden tools. Wear sturdy shoes, sunscreen, and a sunhat. Bring drinking water and a sunny attitude.

You tell us when you can come and we’ll tell you what you can do to help each day when you get here. If you can commit to a regularly scheduled volunteer time, this option is for you! It’s great for high school students who need to earn service hours. We’ve had high school students work Wednesdays in the summer or Tuesday afternoons during the school year for 2 hours. The choice is yours!

Naturalist Interns and other volunteers are extremely important to the work of Willow Grove Nature Center and perform a variety of duties including helping to lead educational programs, working to develop new programs and educational materials, greeting visitors, maintaining park trails, caring for the live animal collection, and helping to develop new exhibits. Naturalist Interns are expected to work for the Spring, Summer, or Fall season and generally work at least eight to ten hours each week, usually during the week. The availability to work mornings is preferred.

Applicants should have an interest in the outdoors, wildlife, excellent communication skills, and a willingness to learn. Students pursuing a course of study in education, natural history, biology, cultural history, or a related field are preferred.

Responsibilities may include

• Assisting with school field trips, public programs, scout programs, summer camps, festivals
• Planning and preparing for programs
• Taking care of exhibits and program animals
• Maintaining trails and gardens

Qualifications

• At least 1 semester of college education, biology and/or environmental science courses
• A willingness to learn new things and get dirty
• Communication skills
• Flexible hours, minimum of 12 hours/week