Opportunities From: Mass Audubon

To express interest in this volunteer position, please click the “Respond” button and in the Response Notes, include a few sentences about why you are interested in this role and why you’d be a great fit. You can also share if you would be interested in volunteering as a Trail Steward at another location in addition to this one. A required training for all new Trail Stewards will take place Sunday, August 23rd at 10am at Wachusett Meadow in Princeton.

As a Trail Steward volunteer, you will monitor Wachusett Meadow's 12-mile trail system and report any issues, such as fallen trees or rough trail conditions, that you encounter. Wachusett Meadow's many miles of trails meander through woodlands, wetlands, and meadows. Volunteers will have the opportunity to get to know the trail system very well, observe our working resident flock of sheep, and notice sanctuary changes throughout the seasons.

Trail Stewards play a key role in helping Mass Audubon maintain safe, welcoming, and pleasant trails for visitors by alerting staff of priority areas to address along the trails. This volunteer position is a great fit for someone who loves spending time outdoors, hiking, and making trails and natural spaces both welcoming for visitors and protected for wildlife. It is also a great fit for someone looking for a flexible volunteer opportunity to do on their own schedule.

As a volunteer, you will be responsible for:

Hiking along trails on your own schedule when the sanctuary is open and submitting a report to staff with your findings. If the Nature Center is open when you are volunteering, we ask that you stop by the front desk to report trail conditions as well

Clipping intrusive brush and branches, moving small-to-medium sticks and debris, and/or removing trash along trails as needed

Entering the hours you volunteered in our online volunteer portal with a phone or computer

Submit and successfully clear CORI/SORI background check

Attend the required in-person volunteer training

Be age 18 or older or always accompanied by parent/guardian when volunteering (regardless of age, we recommend bringing along a friend when you volunteer!) 

Commit to:

Hiking along at least one sanctuary trail at least once a month

Sending an email to staff after each visit detailing what you found on the trails

Responsibly using the provided Trail Steward equipment and alert Mass Audubon staff if any equipment needs replacing

Demonstrating and modeling responsible behavior on trails

Volunteers also agree to log their completed volunteer hours in our online volunteer portal. This can be done on a personal phone, computer, or tablet. Training on how to enter hours will be provided as part of volunteer orientation. 

Maintaining a safe work environment is a priority of Mass Audubon. Volunteers should dress in appropriate outdoor clothing for the weather and sturdy shoes. Volunteers should plan to bring water and a snack if they plan to be out on the trails for an extended period. We also recommend walking the trails with a buddy when possible.

Trail Stewards can volunteer by hiking the trails at any time the sanctuary is open, which is daily from dawn to dusk. Volunteers are asked to walk the trails at least once a month.

To express interest in this volunteer position, please click the “Respond” button and in the Response Notes, include a few sentences about why you are interested in this role and why you’d be a great fit. You can also share if you would be interested in volunteering as a Trail Steward at another location in addition to this one. A required training for all new Trail Stewards will take place Sunday, August 23rd at 10am at Wachusett Meadow in Princeton.

Help care for the sanctuary and enjoy a few hours of fresh air, fun, and fulfillment. Assist with a wide variety of property, maintenance, and ecological projects such as buildings and grounds work, trail clearing, gardening, and wildlife monitoring. 

Drop in on the third Saturday of the month and help care for the sanctuary. Work is outdoors and may include gardening, trail maintenance, tidying, and caring for bird feeders. Ability to work without supervision is required. Children under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult.