Native Garden Steward

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Volunteer will take care of the park’s native plant garden throughout the seasons. The garden is located in front of the visitor center. The volunteer will pull weeds, trim plants, remove dead plants, and plant new ones. This will improve the overall appearance of the garden and foster stewardship of species native to the National Capital Region. Volunteers will gain experience working with native plants, knowledge of the species and their care, and perform low intensity work while still offering meaningful service to the park and improving their overall fitness.

Work to be performed

· Pulling weeds and non-native species from the garden.

· General watering

· Basic landscaping

· Trimming of existing plants

· Planting new native plants when needed

· Improving signage in the garden

· Recording any major facilities issue and reporting it to their supervisor

· General duties as outlined in the Volunteer Handbook

· Removing dead plants and disposing of them properly

Tools

· Tools or equipment used will be limited to basic gardening implements.

· No power tools or specialized equipment.

· No vehicles will be operated.

Qualifications

· Experience working with native plant species.

· Experience caring for a garden or knowledge of caring for a garden.

· Using basic gardening tools.

· Willing to learn about native species as a greater depth.

· Willingness to engage with park visitors and park staff.

· Effective communication skills (both verbal and non-verbal).

Work Environment

Duties will be limited to the Native Plant Garden in front of the visitor center with regular contact with park visitors and staff.

Training

The supervisor will provide on the job training, as well as orientation to the National Park Service mission and history.

Uniform

This position is uniformed. Volunteer will be required to wear at least one article of clothing from the VIP uniform showcasing the Catoctin Mountain Park Volunteer logo while working on the garden. VIP Program Manager will provide required uniform pieces and nametag.

Start Date - 2024-06-24

End Date - 2025-06-24

Activities include: Botany;Conservation Education;Natural Resources Planning;Visitor Information;Weed/Invasive Species Control