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
Visitor Services: Twinleaf Visitor Center
Year-round, weekends and weekdays
Shift: 9 am - 1 pm or 1 - 5 pm
Training: One-on-one training
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.
Visitor Services: Admission Gate
Seasonal/Year-Round
Shift: 9 am - 12:30 pm and 12:30 - 4 pm
Training: One-on-one training
Greet our visitors with a smile and some explanation on our trails and what's in bloom. Check in members, visitors who have reservations and collect admissions from those who do not.
Visitor Services: Nursery Cashier
Seasonal
Shift: 10 am - 1 pm and 1 - 4 pm
Training: One-on-one training
Ring up customers at the nursery with their plants. Answer questions or direct them to our Native Garden Guides that are on our nursery sales floor.
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.
We also look for as-needed DYI volunteers to complete small to medium size “odd-jobs” on the property that would otherwise require staff time or an outside vendor. DYI volunteers should have trade or hands-on-experience in: home repair, painting, construction, plumbing and/or handy work.
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
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.
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.