On December 18, Delaware County-based Natural Lands announced it is accepting applications for both its 2021 Force of Nature® volunteer training program and its Stoneleigh Ambassador volunteer training program.

The deadline for applications is January 6.

Volunteers attend a series of training sessions ranging from the importance of native plants to our local ecosystem, to tree planting tips, to wildlife management.

Upon graduation, the volunteers serve in a variety of capacities for the non-profit conservation organization, which has locations across eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey.

“Nearly 70 years ago, a group of volunteers who were passionate about the Philadelphia region’s open space founded Natural Lands,” said Oliver Bass, president of Natural Lands. “Today, Natural Lands’ volunteers play a vital role in continuing our founders’ work. Their energy and commitment have been inspiring. Even a pandemic hasn’t stopped them!”

The Force of Nature program offers volunteers the chance to learn land stewardship techniques and special event support that can be put into practice across the organization’s vast network of nature preserves, while the Stoneleigh Ambassador program focuses on training to serve as greeters and tour guides of the 42-acre public garden in Villanova.

Both training programs are conducted by Natural Lands and Stoneleigh staff experts.

Natural Lands is committed to diversity and inclusion in all its work, and strongly encourage BIPOC candidates and LGBTQ+ candidates to apply.

Force Of Nature

Force of Nature volunteer program:

-- Trainees participate in a comprehensive, hands-on training and service experience conducted by Natural Lands staff experts. Following training, volunteers commit to giving back a minimum of 20 hours per year to Natural Lands.

-- Training covers a variety of land management, habitat restoration, native plant gardening, event support, outreach, and ambassadorship topics.

-- Training runs February 6 through April 10, 2021. Most sessions are held Thursday evenings, 6:00 – 8:00 PM, via a virtual platform. There are three in-person Saturday afternoon sessions, which will follow safety protocols that include mask-wearing and social-distancing.

-- Application deadline for this highly competitive program is January 6, 2021. Selected candidates will be contacted to schedule an interview.

Click Here for more information and to apply.

Stoneleigh Ambassadors

Stoneleigh: a natural garden Ambassador volunteer program:

-- Trainees participate in five, two-hour training sessions in which they learn everything from the history of Stoneleigh and Natural Lands, to native plants and ecological horticulture, to guest relations practices.

-- Training runs February 17 through March 17, 2021, and is held Wednesday mornings, 9:00 – 11:00 AM. Most of the training is via a virtual platform with some in-person sessions, which will follow safety protocols that include mask-wearing and social-distancing.

-- Upon graduation from the program, Ambassadors volunteer their time welcoming visitors to the garden, leading tours, and supporting special events. They commit to serving at least two four-hour shifts each month at Stoneleigh. (Shifts are available April through November, Tuesday through Sunday, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm.)

-- Application deadline for this highly competitive program is January 6, 2021. Selected candidates will be contacted to schedule an interview.

Click Here for more information and to apply.

Said current Stoneleigh Ambassador Lin Hall, “It is exciting to train and work alongside the Stoneleigh staff. We have learned so much about the history and gardens from them. What’s more, we get to observe the changes in the trees and other garden plants throughout the growing season. It’s such a pleasure to volunteer in such a beautiful setting!”

Force of Nature volunteer Carol Dailey has applied her new-found skills to her own yard.

“I’ve tackled projects at my house that I never would have had the courage or knowledge to do before Force of Nature. It’s so cool to me how, by just planting native species, I can increase ecological biodiversity in my own back yard.” She added, “Natural Lands is something that will always be a part of my life and I’ll be a volunteer forever. I love it.”

For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Natural Lands website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from Natural Lands and Like them on Facebook.  Click Here to support their activities.

Natural Lands has preserved more than 125,000 acres, including 43 nature preserves and one public garden totaling more than 23,000 acres.

NewsClips:

-- Op-Ed: Celebrating Federal Land & Water Conservation Fund Win In Year Of Loss - DCNR Secretary, PennEnvironment

-- AP: In Historic Pick, Biden Taps Haaland As Interior Secretary

Related Articles:

-- Paul & Cynthia Black, Bob & Shelley Casciato And French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust Protect 54 Acres In Chester County

-- Christina Smith & Berks Nature Permanently Protect 70 Acres Of Farm, Forest, Watershed Lands In Berks County

-- Vote Online Now For Pennsylvania's 2021 River Of the Year

-- Dec. 18 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation

[Posted: December 18, 2020]

12/21/2020