April 2009

In this issue

	Summer Steward Positions
	Work Parties
	Event Assistance

Other news

To view this and other future issues online, visit the volunteer page of our Web site.

Questions or comments?

Contact Barbara French, Volunteer Program Manager, at bfrench@tnc.org or at (206) 343-4345, ext. 361.
 

Summer Steward Positions

Spring and summer bring extra visitors to Foulweather Bluff and Ebey’s Landing, two of The Nature Conservancy’s more popular Washington preserves.

Each year, volunteers help monitor the preserves from late May until September. Sign up as a preserve steward and enjoy these special protected landscapes.

Foulweather Bluff Summer Steward
Kitsap County

Foulweather Bluff is a favorite site for picnicking, bird watching and beach access during warm weather months. Volunteer preserve stewards are essential in maintaining the preserve as a natural area, and to report observations and concerns to staff members.

Volunteer stewards walk the preserve once per week, greet visitors and answer questions. No experience necessary—all training provided. New volunteer orientation is scheduled for May 2. Please register in advance. Contact Barbara French at bfrench@tnc.org or call (206) 343-4345, ext. 361.
 

Ebey's Landing Summer Steward
Island County

Sign up as a summer steward at this spectacular Whidbey Island preserve with its popular bluff hike. Summer stewards monitor the site to remind visitors of policies that help protect the fragile habitat. By completing site visit reports, stewards provide Conservancy staff with information about public use throughout the season.

This information is critical in planning for interpretive signage, trail modifications and other future activities at Ebey's Landing. Training provided. Contact Barbara French at bfrench@tnc.org or call (206) 343-4345, ext. 361.

Work Parties

Fence Building
Saturday, April 18
Douglas County

Join us at this fence building work party from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the newly acquired property within the McCartney Creek preserve. Shake off the winter and get outdoors with other volunteers.

If you have post pounders or shovels, we could use a few extras so bring them along. Contact Liz Johnson for details and to sign up information at liz_johnson@tnc.org or (509) 665-9737.

David Weekes Trail Build
Saturday and Sunday, April 25-26
Douglas County

Help us celebrate the work and leadership of our former state director, David Weekes, by joining Conservancy staff and volunteers in building a trail at Moses Coulee preserve in his honor. The trail will lead to a lookout point where we will install a bench for hikers to enjoy the expansive view from on top of the coulee.

Experience the early spring plant and animal communities. The work party will be held on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Come for all or just part of the weekend as your schedule permits.

Meeting point: Moses Coulee Field Station. For information and sign up, contact Liz Johnson at liz_johnson@tnc.org or (509) 665-9737.

Prairie Restoration
Saturdays
Thurston County

Spring is a great time to volunteer on the prairies! Join us for our regular work parties when volunteers work at several sites to remove invasive Scotch broom, plant native flowers and restore native Washington prairies. Work parties are family-friendly and all ages are welcome.

For more information and to sign-up, please contact Caroline Marschner at cmarschner@tnc.org or (360) 480-7534 or Grace Diehl at gdiehl@tnc.org.

Spartina Survey by Kayak/Canoe
Saturdays, May 23 & June 6
Willapa Bay, Pacific County

Join the Washington Department of Natural Resources for their annual mapping of spartina, an invasive plant that colonizes marine estuary and tidal river systems. Traveling by kayak or canoe, volunteers will survey a section of a two rivers in Willapa Bay. No prior plant knowledge necessary. Paddling is not strenuous but, when exiting and re-entering boats, you’ll encounter muddy conditions. Volunteers need to provide their own kayaks or canoes and be in good physical condition.

Survey locations: Niawiakum River on May 23; Bone River on June 6. For information and sign up, contact Ken Guza at dianaken@olywa.net or (360) 754-7371.
 

Event Assistance

Prairie Appreciation Day
Saturday, May 9
Thurston County

Volunteers needed to help staff the Conservancy display table at this free annual family event organized entirely by the volunteers at Friends of Puget Prairies. Greet visitors at the Conservancy’s booth during a morning or afternoon shift, and spend the rest of the day checking out the many exploration stations.

Two-hour shifts available. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Glacial Heritage Preserve. For more information, contact Barbara French at bfrench@tnc.org or (206) 343-4345, ext. 361.

Event Help/Dance Performance
May 29 & May 30
Seattle Repertory Theater

Don’t miss this chance to see a creative dance performance inspired by Costa Rica’s cloud forest and performed by a San Francisco modern dance troupe. Biome, an innovative collaboration of science, art and media, will be performed at Seattle Repertory’s Leo K Theater.

Canopy ecologist and expert, Dr. Nalini Nadkarni, will give a short presentation before the performance. Volunteer at the Conservancy display table in the lobby and see the performance free! Want to help? Contact Barbara French at bfrench@tnc.org or (206) 343-4345, ext. 361.