2023 Volunteer Programs

 

From retirees and families to working professionals and students, the Land Trust welcomes the support of volunteers to fulfill our mission. 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 Beecology Project

Dr. Gegear presenting a bee species at a previous Land Trust pollinator event in July 2022.

The Land Trust, in consultation with Dr. Robert Gegear, assistant professor of biology at UMass Dartmouth, is seeking to know more about the plant-pollinator systems present at several Land Trust conservation properties. Through observation and identification, and by keeping track of the findings, the Land Trust will collect data on bumblebee and butterfly sightings. The collected data will also contribute to a larger body of scientific understanding about pollination systems in Massachusetts and across New England being researched by Dr. Gegear and his team.

Participate as a citizen scientist volunteer and help digitally record plant-pollinator interactions on Land Trust properties. No experience necessary, but a desire to help at-risk species and contribute to a larger body of scientific understanding about pollination systems across Massachusetts and New England 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.

>>Learn to record observations using the Beecology Web App.

>>Provide critical ecological information that will help the Gegear Lab at UMass Dartmouth with their research and in developing conservation strategies.

>>Be included in future native plants and pollinator events.

Bee ID At Peoples for Pollinators Meadow
Bumblebee on penstemon at Peoples for Pollinators Meadow, June 23 2022.

Weed Warrior Program

Weed Warrior
SuAsCo CISMA Weed Warrior logo.

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 be 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.

Weed Warrior Lucy Ward pulling buckthorn in Wright Woods.

River Stewardship Program

Water chestnut alongside a canoe.

Piloted in 2022, the River Stewardship Program is designed to remove water chestnut, specifically from the Sudbury River. After surveying the site and planning volunteer work days, the program began in June and continued for nine weeks into August. Two days a week, volunteers were on the river in canoes and kayaks, removing the invasive water chestnut plants. After more than 50 hours of work by 17 volunteers, 552 bushels of water chestnut were removed from the river along the Bigelow Woods property and 100 additional bushels were collected 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 sam@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.

River Stewards on the Sudbury River pulling water chestnut.

Trail Stewardship Program

Trail Stewards at a chainsaw training.

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.

Trail Steward Art building bog boards.
View allless