Opportunities From: Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation

Help to maintain the native plant gardens at Quest - Lots of weeding, mulching, watering (if needed) and pruning to make the landscape look great! Spring dates may include planting as well. Please wear weather appropriate clothing (long pants, garden boots) and bring a pair of gardening gloves if you have them - No experience is necessary! Please bring a refillable water bottle!

QUESTIONS? Contact Kerri Hable at kerri.hable@MeckNC.gov or 980-314-7878 (Quest main line)

WANTED: Invasive plant Elaeagnus sp. - AKA Silverberry! 

REWARD: Protection of McDowell Nature Preserve's native species and natural communities! 

Welcome the New Year by meeting the staff at McDowell Nature Center to connect with people and nature, while making a positive difference in the community by removing invasive plant species! Come prepared to cut down small shrubs with provided hand tools. Plants will be located off-trail over uneven terrain. Individual pre-registration is REQUIRED for ALL Volunteers! 

Please bring your own sunscreen, bug spray, water bottle and snacks. Dress appropriately to be working outdoors for 2.5 hours; long pants and closed-toe shoes are required! Please bring your own work gloves. Volunteers 12 years old and up are welcome - Anyone under the age of 16 MUST be accompanied by a parent/adult at all times.

Contact Ariel.Lowery@MeckNC.gov or call 704-517-2657 if you have questions! 

Help to maintain the native plant gardens at Quest - Lots of weeding, mulching, watering (if needed) and pruning to make the landscape look great! Spring dates may include planting as well. Please wear weather appropriate clothing (long pants, garden boots) and bring a pair of gardening gloves if you have them - No experience is necessary! Please bring a refillable water bottle!

QUESTIONS? Contact Kerri Hable at kerri.hable@MeckNC.gov or 980-314-7878 (Quest main line)

Help to maintain the native plant gardens at Quest - Lots of weeding, mulching, watering (if needed) and pruning to make the landscape look great! Please wear weather appropriate clothing (long pants, garden boots) and bring a pair of gardening gloves if you have them - No experience is necessary! Please bring a refillable water bottle!

QUESTIONS? Contact Christine Lawson at Christine.Lawson@MeckNC.gov or 980-314-7878 (Quest main line)

Assist us with our FUN RUN through McDowell Nature Preserve! You may be giving out water or swag, assisting with educational aspects, or helping with check-in, etc. The event runs 8am-10am - Volunteers should plan to arrive by 7:30am for safety review and instructions. Please dress to be outside and wear good walking shoes suitable for the trail. Bring your own refillable water bottle.

Volunteers should be at least 18 years old for this event.Event will be cancelled in case of heavy rain or storms. 

QUESTIONS? Contact Melissa.Olenick@mecknc.gov or call 980-314-1083

Volunteers who register as Nature Center Assistants may assist in any or all of the following capacities: Animal Care Basic Animal Care (daily) (can be 14+) Water change and/or mist Remove old food & waste Advanced Animal care (1-3 times/week) (must be 18, or have been a prior Basic AC Volunteer for 1 year) Water change, mist, remove old food & waste Animal diet preparation Animal feeding Deep cleaning tanks  Visitor Services (must be 18) Greeting visitors Collecting surveys Maintaining nature center exhibits Maintain loaner program items (fishing poles, backpacks, etc)  Administrative (must be 18) Answer phones/greet visitors during staff meetings Print flyers, make copies  Grounds (can be under 18 with accompanying parent/guardian) Walking trails to remove trash Maintain outdoor play area Maintain gardens Maintain compost bins Refill/clean bird feeders Check/refill kiosks  Docent (weekends & special events) (must be 18) Trained in animal handling and interpretation Impromptu interpretation in & around nature center Campground visits Campfire programs Special events PR tables  Docent (weekdays) (must be 18) Trained in animal handling, school curriculum and interpretation Campground visits Assistance with: School programming at nature center Campfire programs Special events PR tables

Volunteers who register as Nature Center Assistants may assist in any or all of the following capacities: Animal Care Basic Animal Care (daily) (can be 14+) Water change and/or mist Remove old food & waste Advanced Animal care (1-3 times/week) (must be 18, or have been a prior Basic AC Volunteer for 1 year) Water change, mist, remove old food & waste Animal diet preparation Animal feeding Deep cleaning tanks  Visitor Services (must be 18) Greeting visitors Collecting surveys Maintaining nature center exhibits Maintain loaner program items (fishing poles, backpacks, etc)  Administrative (must be 18) Answer phones/greet visitors during staff meetings Print flyers, make copies  Grounds (can be under 18 with accompanying parent/guardian) Walking trails to remove trash Maintain outdoor play area Maintain gardens Maintain compost bins Refill/clean bird feeders Check/refill kiosks  Docent (weekends & special events) (must be 18) Trained in animal handling and interpretation Impromptu interpretation in & around nature center Campground visits Campfire programs Special events PR tables  Docent (weekdays) (must be 18) Trained in animal handling, school curriculum and interpretation Campground visits Assistance with: School programming at nature center Campfire programs Special events PR tables

Volunteers who register as Nature Center Assistants may assist in any or all of the following capacities: Animal Care Basic Animal Care (daily) (can be 14+) Water change and/or mist Remove old food & waste Advanced Animal care (1-3 times/week) (must be 18, or have been a prior Basic AC Volunteer for 1 year) Water change, mist, remove old food & waste Animal diet preparation Animal feeding Deep cleaning tanks  Visitor Services (must be 18) Greeting visitors Collecting surveys Maintaining nature center exhibits Maintain loaner program items (fishing poles, backpacks, etc)  Administrative (must be 18) Answer phones/greet visitors during staff meetings Print flyers, make copies  Grounds (can be under 18 with accompanying parent/guardian) Walking trails to remove trash Maintain outdoor play area Maintain gardens Maintain compost bins Refill/clean bird feeders Check/refill kiosks  Docent (weekends & special events) (must be 18) Trained in animal handling and interpretation Impromptu interpretation in & around nature center Campground visits Campfire programs Special events PR tables  Docent (weekdays) (must be 18) Trained in animal handling, school curriculum and interpretation Campground visits Assistance with: School programming at nature center Campfire programs Special events PR tables

Volunteers who register as Nature Center Assistants may assist in any or all of the following capacities: Animal Care Basic Animal Care (daily) (can be 14+) Water change and/or mist Remove old food & waste Advanced Animal care (1-3 times/week) (must be 18, or have been a prior Basic AC Volunteer for 1 year) Water change, mist, remove old food & waste Animal diet preparation Animal feeding Deep cleaning tanks  Visitor Services (must be 18) Greeting visitors Collecting surveys Maintaining nature center exhibits Maintain loaner program items (fishing poles, backpacks, etc)  Administrative (must be 18) Answer phones/greet visitors during staff meetings Print flyers, make copies  Grounds (can be under 18 with accompanying parent/guardian) Walking trails to remove trash Maintain outdoor play area Maintain gardens Maintain compost bins Refill/clean bird feeders Check/refill kiosks  Docent (weekends & special events) (must be 18) Trained in animal handling and interpretation Impromptu interpretation in & around nature center Campground visits Campfire programs Special events PR tables  Docent (weekdays) (must be 18) Trained in animal handling, school curriculum and interpretation Campground visits Assistance with: School programming at nature center Campfire programs Special events PR tables