Opportunities From: Mass Audubon

Celebrate Earth Month with a day of service at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary!

Spend your morning helping to clean-up and revamp the sanctuary for spring as part of Mass Audubon’s Statewide Volunteer Day. We will be spreading mulch, removing invasive plant species, weeding key areas, refreshing accessible trails with gravel, and assisting with general trail maintenance. We will also tend to our native pollinator garden to support the health of local bees, butterflies, and other wildlife.

All tools will be provided: we will also have gloves available, but feel free to bring your preferred pair!

Bring your own water bottle to stay hydrated; we’ll have light snacks ready to keep you energized.

This project is family-friendly – we'll have options for volunteers of all ages. Anyone 15 and younger will need to volunteer alongside a parent/guardian. 16–17-year-olds may volunteer independently and will need to bring a permission slip signed by a parent/guardian that will be emailed to you in advance.

This volunteer opportunity will include one or more projects that are accessible and inclusive to volunteers with a broad range of abilities. For more detailed information on these projects, or to discuss any accommodations that would be helpful, please contact Shannon Cahill at scahill@massaudubon.org or by calling 413-728-4852.

How to Register

To sign up to volunteer, click the “Respond” button. You can then sign in using your existing volunteer account with Mass Audubon, or, if this is your first time using the volunteer system, you will be prompted to create a new account before signing up. Make sure to click the Submit Opportunity Response button on the next page and look for the green banner – and an email - indicating you have completed the whole process.

Families or small groups can sign up by clicking “Respond as Group.” Only one person in the group will need to create a volunteer account: you will then create a name for the group, click the “Add Me” button to add yourself to the group, and use the “Add Volunteer” button to enter the first and last names of each additional group member. Finally, designate yourself as the group leader (look for the checkbox) and click Finish. Look for the green banner – and an email – indicating you have completed the whole process.

Is your company looking for a meaningful way to give back during Earth Month? Bring your corporate group outdoors to Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary and volunteer your time to protect, restore, and steward our natural space. 

Please note: Earth Month group volunteer opportunities are designed for corporate and organized groups and include a request for philanthropic support alongside hands-on service.

Volunteer Projects Include: 

These projects are part of Mass Audubon’s year-round stewardship efforts, which combine volunteer engagement, staff expertise, and sustained investment to care for our sanctuaries and wildlife habitats.  Your team will enjoy a collaborative, outdoor and hands-on experience that strengthens bonds, promotes connection with nature, and delivers a lasting positive impact at the local level.

Details:  This opportunity is available Thursday, April 16, 9am-noon for a group of around 20 volunteers. Volunteers will engage in a variety of physical tasks, so please let us know if there are any accommodations needed so that all members of your group can participate! We will provide the tools, your team will just bring a water bottle, preferred snack, and comfortable shoes to work in.

Contribution & Support: Earth Month group volunteer opportunities are made possible through both volunteer effort and philanthropic support. For corporate and organized groups participating during Earth Month, a financial contribution is a requested part of the experience and helps sustain the land stewardship, tools, staff time, and materials that make these projects possible. Most groups support their volunteer day with a company gift in the range of $500–$2,500 or more depending on group size and scope. After you express interest, our team will follow up to confirm details and share simple next steps for making your group’s contribution.   

How to Sign Up:  To express interest in this volunteer opportunity, you will have to create an account in our Volunteer Portal if you do not already have one (please use your company’s mailing address as your address!). Then, click the “Respond” button and in the Response Notes on the next page, share the company you’re from, the size of your group, and any accommodations your group members may need. Our Volunteer Coordinator will be in touch to make sure the opportunity is a good fit and confirm the details of your volunteer day.

We’ll be working together to paint and refresh our nature play area, weed along trails and in garden areas, and remove invasive plant species to support native wildlife. This is a great opportunity to get outdoors, meet fellow community members, and make a lasting impact on the sanctuary. All tools and materials will be provided.

Dress for the weather and working outside. Bring your favorite work gloves and water bottle/beverage. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

This program is part of Mass Audubon's Second Saturday Volunteer Series. Volunteers help support Berkshires Wildlife Sanctuaries through a variety of stewardship and property-related tasks.

About This Volunteer Position

As an Education Programs Volunteer, you will...

Assist experienced naturalists who lead adult and/or family audience nature learning experiences at sanctuaries and other natural areas

Help Mass Audubon in achieving our goal of helping adults and families connect with nature and learn how to protect nature now and for future generations

This volunteer position is a great fit for someone who ...

Enjoys interacting with the public and sharing their passion for nature experiences and conservation

You will have the opportunity to ...

Spend time learning with and assisting experienced naturalists/educators

Meet and interact with people who share your interests

Learn more about the natural world, conservation science, ecological stewardship

Responsibilities

As a volunteer, you will assist the program leading with...

Greeting participants as they arrive

Checking in program participants

Distributing equipment to program participants

Supporting participants with using equipment following program leader instruction

Serving as “sweep" on programs, taking up rear to ensure no one gets separated from the group

Assisting program leader and participants with spotting wildlife, plants, etc. 

Informally share knowledge about nature subjects with participants and staff

Volunteers may also be asked to ...

Assist program leader with loading and unloading canoes, supplies, or other program material; training will be provided

Assist program leader with collecting, cleaning, and stowing program equipment

Qualifications

A well-qualified volunteer will have...

An interest in sharing your love of nature and conservation with adults and/or families

Personal experience with bird watching, hiking, canoeing, etc.

A general knowledge of local plants and animals and interest in learning more

This volunteer position is suitable for...

Adults aged 18 and older

Requirements

Background Checks:

CORI and SORI background checks are required for all volunteers

Physical:

Walking and standing on uneven terrain in a variety of weather conditions (sun, heat, light rain, etc.) during nature walks, birding programs, and hikes

Assist with loading/unloading/moving canoes and other equipment for short periods/distances before and after canoe programs

Equipment:

Mass Audubon will provide all program specific equipment

Volunteer is responsible for personal clothing and footwear

Time Commitment:

Ability to confirm and commit to assisting scheduled programs

Programs range in length from 1-3 hours and volunteer would need to be available for the duration of the program and approximately 30 minutes before and after the program time

Tracking Hours:

Volunteers 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.

Safety
Maintaining a safe work environment is a priority of Mass Audubon.

Volunteers should dress in long pants/sleeves, wear study, closed-toed shoes, and bring their own snacks and water

Any additional safety training required for this position will be provided for volunteers*

*Additional safety training required for canoeing

Schedule/Shift Information
Volunteer shifts are posted and shared with volunteers for each season of the year and may occasionally be subject to change due to weather or other program scheduling needs

Next Steps
To express interest in this opportunity, click the "Respond" button. In the "Response Notes," share in a few sentences why you are interested and why this is a great volunteer role for you. Please note that this step is only to express interest in this opportunity. A volunteer coordinator will follow up with you about the next steps, which will include a brief conversation and a background check before you begin volunteering.