Natural Resources Volunteer

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Background: A Natural Resources Volunteer will help monitor and restore the natural areas around Caesar Creek Lake. Volunteers will be outside in the tallgrass prairies, wetlands, and forests of Caesar Creek. Volunteers will get training in the necessary flora and fauna as well as techniques to properly work with them in the natural environment. Applicants must be able to pass a background check and be willing to wear a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers volunteer uniform (shirt and name tag).

Schedule: 20 hours per week as an individual or 30 hours per week split between a couple. Scheduled days of the week are negotiable. Volunteers may serve the entire recreation season April through October. A campsite is provided in a volunteer exclusive area with water, electricity, and sewer hookups.

Specific duties include:

· Light gardening in four flower beds with native plants to support pollinator conservation. Weeding, watering, and planting of new plants provides new habitats for native pollinators.

· Monitor blue bird boxes by completing weekly box checks, fill out monitoring sheets, and submit information to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Citizen Scientist Network.

· Check trails for overgrowth, fallen trees, and damage and report issues to Park Rangers.

· Remove invasive and unwanted species: honeysuckle, autumn olive, teasel, thistle, lesser celandine, garlic mustard, crown vetch, and purple loosestrife.

· Complete general maintenance. Mow grass in the volunteer campground and trim trees and shrubs in the recreation areas. This can also include occasional special projects such as staining benches, pressure washing, and mulching.

· Collect, process, and plant prairie seed. During the late summer and fall, Park Rangers and volunteers will collect seed from prairies to plant in areas lacking those species.

· Establish native plants in prairies and wetlands depending on the time of year and weather conditions.

Assist with maintenance of Visitor Center Caterpillar Lab, aquarium, and terrarium.

Start Date - 2025-04-01

End Date - 2025-10-31