COVID-19 and Floracliff Volunteering (Updated October 1, 2020): Volunteer opportunities are being phased in following the guidelines in our “COVID-19 Protocols and Safety Plan.” In June, volunteers with at least 50 hours of previous experience returned to Floracliff. We are slowly phasing in volunteers with fewer hours. Training for new volunteers will begin in early 2021. If you are interested in training to become a committed volunteer, please email us at info@floracliff.org.
Honeysuckle Removal
Bush honeysuckle season lasts from summer to late winter, as long as the temperatures are above freezing. Honeysuckle is cut using loppers or a handsaw (hours of fumes and noise from a chainsaw is hardly peaceful in an otherwise serene sanctuary). A licensed pesticide applicator applies herbicide to the freshly cut stump. Dedicated volunteers who wish to obtain this license are sponsored by Floracliff.
Garlic Mustard Removal
With spring comes garlic mustard, a major competitor to our showy native spring wildflowers. Volunteers help to control this herbaceous invasive by hand-pulling and bagging plants, roots and all. Pulling garlic mustard allows volunteers to get a close-up view of the wildflower display as it comes into bloom.
Trail Work
Over 6 miles of trails traverse the sanctuary and are important for educational programs, stewardship work, and research projects. Led by a (volunteer) Certified Master Trail Builder, trail crew volunteers use trail-building tools such as fire rakes and mattocks to improve existing trails. Another perk to trail work: hiking is required.
Volunteer Naturalists
Whether they are professionals in their field or skilled hobbyists, we depend upon volunteers to lead and assist with many educational programs. Floracliff Volunteer Naturalists are active supporters who have demonstrated a personal commitment to learning about and sharing the sanctuary with our visitors.
Demonstration Gardens
Our educational gardens offer a close-up view of native plants of the sanctuary. Our glade garden showcases a number of unusual plants from Floracliff including eastern prickly pear cactus (Opuntia humifusa), widow’s cross (Sedum pulchellum), and the state threatened species hispid false mallow (Malvastrum hispidum). Around the historic Trail’s End Lodge we are planning a bird-friendly garden. We are currently seeking volunteers with an interest in maintaining native gardens.
Citizen Science
We count on our volunteer Citizen Scientists who participate in stream sampling, monarch monitoring, bird count, and phenology projects. Learn more about our citizen science projects here.
