Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are the core of many important programs at The Ridges. Well over 100 dedicated individuals assist our permanent staff in many different phases of our operations. Our volunteers enable us to conduct programs like the Festival of Nature and Ride for Nature, assist with surveying and monitoring various species within the Sanctuary, and staff the Nature Center throughout the busy summer season. Ridges volunteers contributed over 7,670 hours (valued at $149,000) to the Sanctuary in 2008!
If you’ve thought about volunteering at The Ridges, now is the time! Several new and exciting projects are developing at The Ridges, and we need YOUR help! We need volunteers to assist with the following:
Nature Center Staff: If you like to work face-to-face with people, this is the job for you! Volunteers greet and orient visitors to the Sanctuary, collect trail fees, and staff the Nature Store. You’ll learn about the Sanctuary, and meet lots of interesting people. Training is provided.
Wednesday Crew: This dedicated group of men and women meets weekly throughout the year to work on a variety of projects: trail construction and maintenance, repair and upkeep of buildings and boardwalks, and many other duties necessary to keeping the Sanctuary’s properties and facilities in great shape.
“Special Skills” Volunteers: Do you have a unique ability, such as fundraising, photography, writing or computer skills, that might be used to benefit the Sanctuary? We may be able to put your special talents to good use on a Ridges project or program.
Invasive Plant Control: (a.k.a. “Weed Warriors”): Several species of unwanted, non-native plants threaten the ecological integrity of the Ridges. In an effort to control them, The Ridges needs volunteers to pull these invaders of the Sanctuary. Weed Warriors can work independently or in small groups. No special skills are required - knowledge of plant identification is helpful, and training is provided.
Species Surveys: Are you interested in searching for and recording various species found in the Sanctuary? You can help us gather information for long-term studies on butterflies, dragonflies, birds, and plant species.
Youth Programs Volunteer: Your interest in and love of the outdoors can be shared with dozens of children who attend our youth programs each summer. No teaching experience is necessary.
Special Events: If you have a flair for planning and conducting “events,” we have a place to apply your skills! Much volunteer help is needed for some of our most exciting events, including the Festival of Nature, Lighthouse Walk, Ride For Nature, and Volunteer Recognition.
Lighthouse Keepers: A new volunteer group at The Ridges! Like the Wednesday Crew (which works on trails, grounds, and building projects) we’ll do hands-on work. But we’ll refurbish aesthetic elements of The Ridges: gardens, some landscape design, inside painting and papering. Next summer’s project is designing, planting and tending cottage gardens around the Upper Rangelight building.
If you are interested in helping with any of these projects, click here to fill out an online form, or just call The Ridges office at 920-839-2802.
