Volunteer Programs

From retirees and families to working professionals and students, the Land Trust welcomes the support of volunteers to help us fulfill our mission and work. Join a growing cadre of stewardship volunteers! The Land Trust engages in stewardship activities to maintain and protect Concord’s natural resources. Please read below for more information on the Land Trust’s volunteer programs. Email info@concordland.org to get started!

The Land Trust is seeking to learn more about plant-pollinator interactions on several of our conservation properties. We are observing and identifying bumblebees, butterflies, and other insects, as well as the surrounding flora. This data will contribute to a broader scientific understanding of pollination systems, especially in Massachusetts and New England that is researched by Dr. Robert Gegear and his team at the Gegear Lab at UMass Dartmouth.

Participate as a community scientist volunteer and help digitally record plant-pollinator interactions on Land Trust properties. No experience necessary, but a desire to help at-risk species will be a plus!

For a copy of the position description, please click here. Email info@concordland.org if you are interested. 

>> Learn to identify native bumblebees, butterflies, and local flora.

>> Develop expertise in recording observations using the Beecology Web App and iNaturalist.

>> Contribute valuable ecological information to support the Land Trust’s land management practices.

>> Support scientists in their research and the development of conservation strategies.

>> Connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for conservation and biodiversity!

The Weed Warrior Program was developed by the SuAsCo CISMA, an organization aimed at managing and controlling invasive species in the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord watershed. The Land Trust is a host organization for this program and offers Weed Warrior work days on Land Trust properties. Participants can become certified and would be able to work on their own or lead a pull event, both at the direction of the Land Trust. Participants are also invited to other CISMA Weed Warrior events and trainings in the SuAsCo watershed. The program enables individuals to identify and remove invasive species on Land Trust properties.

More information can be found here. Email info@concordland.org if you are interested. 

>>Learn to identify invasive species and their native lookalikes.

>>Learn techniques for removing and disposing different invasive species.

>>Participate in invasive species removal projects at different Land Trust properties.

The River Stewardship Program is aimed at managing invasive water chestnut, specifically from the Sudbury River. The program runs from June through early August. Several days a week in the morning, volunteers are on the river in canoes and kayaks removing water chestnut plants and composting them at a designated upland site near the shore but out of the floodplain. The Land Trust provides all of the equipment or volunteers are welcome to bring their own watercraft and/or personal flotation device (PFD) to wear. The program has averaged the removal of about 750 bushels a season from the river along the Bigelow Woods property and 100 additional bushels from Fairhaven Bay by the Town of Concord and nearby residents.

The Land Trust is looking for more volunteers to carry out this meaningful invasive work on the river. For a copy of the position description, please click here. Email info@concordland.org if you are interested. 

>>Spend summer mornings in canoes and kayaks on the Sudbury River twice a week.

>>Learn how to identify water chestnut and it’s lookalikes.

>>Learn about the life cycle of the water chestnut and the best practices for removal.

>>Remove water chestnuts from the river and compost offshore with volunteers.

Taking care of almost 1000 acres of land and 26 miles of trail is a daunting task. The Trail Stewardship program was designed to help. Running since 2018, the program matches a volunteer to a specific Land Trust property or set of trails. At least once a month, the Trail Steward walks their trail system to observe area conditions. They are responsible for light trail clearing, such as removing small fallen branches or clipping back brush. They also assist with invasive species removal and are included in Land Trust events and training. They are the eyes and ears of the Land Trust on a property, and they help the Land Trust better care for and manage its properties.

At this time, the Land Trust is only looking for a few more Trail Stewards. For a copy of the position description, please click here. Email info@concordland.org if you are interested. 

>>Walk a specific Land Trust property at least once a month.

>>Clip back brush and clear small debris on the trail.

>>Report any fallen trees or trail issues to the Land Trust.

>>Attend monthly meetings.

>>Participate in various training opportunities.