Become a Volunteer
Volunteers are active in every department at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve. Whether you see yourself engaging with visitors, helping in the Native Plant Nursery, leading walks or programs, or lending a hand behind the scenes, there are many volunteer roles for you to consider. We have a variety of opportunities for volunteers to participate in, regardless of interests, schedules, and skills. Our projects and positions range to fit every level of commitment, knowledge, and training necessary. We welcome you to submit an application using the list of opportunities as a guide. We invite you to explore our varied opportunities to find the right place for you.
Apply to Become a Preserve Volunteer
To begin the volunteer application process, please fill out the online application form.
For questions about volunteering at the Preserve, please contact volunteer@bhwp.org.
Opportunities for Everyone
Twinleaf Visitor Center
Year-round, weekends and weekdays
Shift: 4 hours (9 am - 1 pm or 1 - 5 pm) once a week or as a floater to fill in when needed
Minimum expectation: 1 shift/month
Training: This position requires an interview. Training includes a shadowing program and the opportunity to take the 2pm Guided Wildflower Walk (in season).
The Twinleaf Visitor's Center is looking for upbeat, friendly volunteers to serve as the face of the Preserve. Volunteers are responsible for ensuring a positive visitor experience. Duties include greeting visitors, answering questions, taking admission, serving as the book & gift shop attendant, providing information to visitors, answering the phone, and assisting staff with various tasks, as needed.
Volunteers should enjoy working with people, have a great sense of customer service and have a passion for learning and sharing information about native plants.
Grounds Keeping
Seasonal, April through October
Shift: 9:30 am – 12 pm, as needed; occasionally additional hours are available
Training: On-the-spot training
Help the Preserve with property upkeep—weeding, planting, trail maintenance and brush clean-up. Learn more about native and non-native plants as you immerse yourself into the heart of the Preserve.
Volunteers should be in good physical condition with a desire to do manual labor, should be able to take and follow direction, work autonomously, have access to email and text messaging and work well with others.
Invasive Plant Strike Force
Seasonal, May - October, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays and selected Saturdays
Shift: 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Help BHWP combat invasive plants on site. Each session will target a particular invasive species in a designated area. As the season progresses, the target species will change depending on its particular growth habit and seed production. Specific techniques for removal will vary accordingly. Guidance and training will be available to you – there is a lot to learn – and you can expect to build your expertise in identification and removal techniques very quickly. Join our team, build your knowledge and help protect our native plants! Register by emailing volunteer@bhwp.org.
Deer Fence Patrol
Shift: 1 - 2 hours/week, flexible based on volunteers availability
Minimum Expectation: 1 shift/Every 1-2 months
Training: 2 hour training required
Help keep the Preserve deer-free by assisting with regular monitoring of the Preserve’s fence line to inspect and report for major or minor breeches and, if possible or appropriate, make small immediate repairs in an on-going effort to keep the Preserve deer-free.
You will patrol all or half of the deer fence line (as described in Deer Fence Patrol map). Roughly half of the route is on the outside of the fence due to the terrain. Volunteers should be in good physical condition and be able to walk difficult terrain. No specific skills are required, but volunteers should be able to conduct their fence walk and report any breaches on a regular, on-going basis.
Propagation
Shift: 9:30 am - 12 pm, Wednesday and Thursday
Training: On-the-spot training
Assist our Nursery Manager in growing plants that will be planted on the property or sold through our Native Plant Nursery. Learn how native plants are propagated, help with the nursery upkeep, weed existing potted plants, set up and take down of the sales area in spring and fall. Curiosity, enthusiasm and commitment are highly valued.
Watering Team
Seasonal, May through September
Shift: Daily mornings, flexible
Training: 1 training session provided
Our Daily Watering Team helps to ensure that the plants in and around the Native Plant Nursery are watered, refreshed and groomed every day. Scheduling is flexible for this early morning role, we encourage volunteers to claim their day. Volunteers plan their schedule with the Native Plant Nursery Manager. This is the perfect position for volunteers who like to garden and would like to help the Preserve, but might only have limited or weekend availability.
Administration
Year-round, weekdays, weekends
A number of times a year we will call on a volunteer or team of volunteers to help with various administrative tasks at the Preserve. Projects may include preparing mailings, filling packets for upcoming programs, office help, special events opportunities, and more.
Opportunities for Teens
Seasonal – Summer Student Program
Shift: Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:30 am - 12 pm
Help preserve native habitat by assisting on the grounds at the Preserve. The 2018 Summer Student Program is designed for students entering 9th grade through 12th grade. Our program takes place on Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9:30 am – 12 pm, from Friday, July 6th through Friday, August 10th. Main duties include working on the grounds and in our Native Plant Nursery. Our volunteers are also welcome to participate on occasional Saturday Weed Patrols from 9:30 am - 12 pm. Interested students should contact the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@bhwp.org or 215.862.2924 ext. 110.
Additionally, we have occasional volunteer opportunities geared specifically for high school students - working on the property or in the Nursery or assisting with administrative tasks.
Naturalist Volunteers
Year-round, weekdays, weekends
Shift: Varies
Training: To be announced
The Preserve offers a series of classes over a 14-month period that provides participants with the foundation for becoming a Naturalist. Classes consist of core topics on natural and cultural history, geology, botany, and native fauna (including birds), and our signature seasonal series, Knowing Native Plants. Once participants complete the classes, we request that they provide a minimum of 20 hours of volunteer service to the Preserve. Additional learning is available with our Lunch and Learn programs, where more specific topics are covered. Other opportunities to supplement learning are available through a wide array of classes, lectures, and workshops.
Naturalists must be members of the Preserve and complete training, which includes a series of 17 professional classes plus materials and study guides. There is a $200 fee for the training. Classes consist of five core training classes and 12 classes in our Knowing Native Plant series. Candidates will be required to shadow experienced volunteers and conduct “tandem” tours until fully trained. Volunteer Naturalist Guides are responsible for leading at least five tours or programs per year after completion of training. Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator via email. for further information.
Corporate Groups/Service Groups
While we will do our best to accommodate your group, we encourage groups of 4 - 20 to actively participate in the care of our grounds and the enrichment of our visitor experience. Our goal is to match tasks with your community mission and this may include trail maintenance, planting, invasive removals, and special events staffing.
Projects and experiences are seasonally-based, and we are more than happy to plan an event that matches your group .
To begin planning for your next corporate experience, please email volunteer@bhwp.org.
Community Outreach Volunteer
Year-round, weekends
Shift: 4 hours per event; at least 2 events per year
Training: Background information and training will be provided
We are looking for volunteers to join our Community Outreach team. Volunteers will share information about the Preserve at community events, staff the Preserve’s table, distribute brochures and answer questions. Most events will take place in New Hope, Lambertville and surrounding areas.
If you are interested in being a Community Outreach Volunteer, please email volunteer@bhwp.org.
DIY
Seasonal, weekdays, weekends, as needed
Our DIY group will complete small to medium size “odd-jobs” on the property that would otherwise require staff time or an outside vendor. We are looking for volunteers that are self-starters with trade or hands-on-experience in: home repair, painting, construction, plumbing and/or handy work.
The DIY group addresses projects on an as-needed basis. DIY Volunteers can accept projects that interest them the most, fit best into their schedules and use their talent. DIY Volunteers are not required or expected to work on every project put forth. You would have regular communication/collaboration with Facilities Maintenance, Grounds Manager and Executive Director regarding the projects.
If you are interested in being added to our DIY crew list, please email volunteer@bhwp.org.