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. Make sure to click the “Submit Opportunity Response” button at the end to complete the process. Our volunteer coordinator will reach out to share more about the program and next steps.

As a Trail Steward volunteer, you will monitor Long Pasture's 3-mile trail system and report any issues, such as fallen trees or rough trail conditions, that you encounter. Long Pasture's trails meander through beachfront, woodlands, and uplands, along sandy trails, and across beautiful landscapes. Volunteers will have the opportunity to get to know the sanctuary's trail system well and observe 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.

Responsibilities

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

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

Virtual training will be provided and required.

Requirements

Submit and successfully clear CORI/SORI background check

Watch Trail Steward volunteer training

Be age 18 or older or always accompanied by parent/guardian when volunteering  

Commit to:

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

Completing report form 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. 

Safety 

Maintaining a safe work environment is a priority of Mass Audubon. Volunteers should dress in appropriate outdoor clothing for the weather and sturdy shoes and bring a snack and water if you plan to be out on the trails for an extended period of time. Additional safety will be covered in the training. 

Schedule

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

Trail Stewards offers a flexible and independent volunteer experience, but there will also be the opportunity to collaborate with other Trail Stewards and schedule times to work together.

Next Steps

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. Make sure to click the “Submit Opportunity Response” button at the end to complete the process. Our volunteer coordinator will reach out to share more about the program and next steps.

Visitors Services Volunteers perform day-to-day duties of greeting our visitors to Long Pasture and ensuring an overall positive, welcoming, enriching and safe experience to all members and visitors.  This includes providing excellent customer service while greeting and registering visitors in person, providing orientation to the sanctuary, directing visitors throughout the property and trail systems, answering questions about events and programs, introducing visitors to the many benefits of Mass Audubon membership, and generally educating guests about Mass Audubon.

Visitor Services volunteering is a great opportunity for you to get involved in your local Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuary and local community; meeting, engaging, and getting people excited about Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary and everything we have to offer here!   

Responsibilities:

Greet and provide information to members and visitors regarding our sanctuary, the Discovery Center, access to beach, trails, programs and Mass Audubon in general.  You will greet visitors outdoors in parking area and indoors in the Discovery Center.  Use a cash register and credit card machine for membership sales and collection of admission fees.  Monitor parking capacity and re-direct cars when parking area is full.  Assist with monitoring Long Pasture’s beach and other high traffic areas, including walking the beach periodically and picking up litter as needed.  Answer phone calls and provide information and directions. Monitoring supply of trail maps, membership forms and other supplies.  Assist in cleaning and sanitation.  Occasionally assist during peak periods such as holidays and weekends or special events.