Since the Forest Society was founded in 1901, volunteer involvement has been a cornerstone to our success as one of the leading conservation organizations in the Northeast. Without volunteers, we would not have the human resources necessary to protect important lands, affect policy change and educate the public on conservation issues. In 2006, volunteers contributed over 7,600 hours to the Forest Society – equivalent to 3.89 full-time staff members!

Listed below are just some of the opportunities available to volunteers. We can tailor jobs to fit your skills and time-constraints. Training is provided when necessary. Most volunteer opportunities are based out of our headquarters in Concord. Other positions in the field and at our Rocks Estate in Bethlehem, N.H. are also available.

Sign-up today!

Opportunities

Floodplain interpretive guide

School, scout and other groups visit the Conservation Center to walk the floodplain and learn about the natural history of the area. We need trail volunteers to lead interpretive walks.

Skills: Interest and knowledge of ecology, good communication and interpretive skills, comfortable working with groups of children

Hours: As needed, no more than three hours per month

Green Building Tour Guide

Tour guides lead groups of students and adults through the award-winning Conservation Center, explaining the passive solar design and energy efficient features. Training is provided to teach volunteers how solar energy works and why the Forest Society built our distinctive headquarters, home to seven conservation organizations.

Skills: Strong verbal communication, comfortable with groups, good interpretive skills

Hours: Weekdays, occasional weekends

Land Steward

The Forest Society has a comprehensive land steward program where you can train to become a steward on one of our properties. Land stewards act as caretakers of our properties, maintaining trails, removing litter, posting signs, etc. For more information, visit our Land Steward page.

Leaf raking

The Conservation Center in Concord is surrounded by trees, so in the fall the grounds are covered in leaves. We need help raking the grounds around the Conservation Center to keep it looking good and to keep our guests safe. We'll provide the rakes if you'll provide the muscle. Help on a one time basis, or volunteer regularly until the leaves are gone – which ever works best for you.

Skills: Good physical condition and enjoyment of outdoor work

Online Publicist

Help the Forest Society get the word out about upcoming nature walks, talks, exhibits, and other events. We need your help to updated online calendars and event directories on an ongoing basis (about once per month). We'll provide the list and the web addresses if you'll key in the data.

Skills: Access to the internet

Hours: 1-2 hours per month

Outreach assistant

The outreach department often needs extra “feet on the street” to help educate the public on local land conservation efforts, special events, and upcoming field trips. Tasks are varied but could include: posting flyers, contacting local officials to promote programs in their area, coordinating event logistics, assisting with set-up and tear-down, attending field trips and helping with group management, and updating information on the web site.

Skills: Strong communication and organization skills, ability to act as a knowledgeable representative of the Forest Society, comfortable speaking to large groups of people, creativity, or familiarity with the Internet.

Hours: Vary depending upon project or activity

Painting

The Conservation Center in Concord requires occasional interior and exterior painting or staining. We need help in season with various painting projects in and around the Conservation Center to keep it looking its best for our many guests. We'll provide the painting materials (paint, stain, brushes, drop cloths, scrapers) if you'll provide the expertise. Help on a one time basis, or volunteer regularly as seasonal painting projects arise during the warmer months – which ever works best for you.

Skills: Good physical condition and enjoyment of outdoor work and previous experience with painting projects. Use of ladders will sometimes be necessary.

Photo librarian

We've collected a lot of slides and photographs in our long history, and we need someone to help us devise an efficient filing system and organize the photos that come in and out of our library.

Skills: Strong organizational skills

Hours: two to three hours per week

Receptionist/gift shop attendant

Our reception and gift shop area is the “hub” of the Conservation Center. Our receptionist/gift shop manager often needs assistance.

Skills: Good people skills and interest in gift shop tasks.

Hours: As needed

Reservation monitor

General Forest Society property surveillance and observation, removal of trash and debris from property, communicating potential issues and impacts as they arise.

Skills: Willing to monitor a Forest Society property within a 20 mile drive of your home and gain a thorough knowledge and appreciation of that property. Good Forest Society representative. Also, opportunity to help with special work days.

Hours: At your discretion and time availability; varies.

Writer

The Forest Society works hard to conserve land and to manage land sustainably, and we work just as hard to let others know about the importance of these efforts. Help us to get the word out! We need a volunteer with good writing skills to attend Forest Society nature walks and other events and to write post-event summaries about what you see and learn. Your write-ups may be published in Forest Notes magazine with your byline, in our online eNewsletter, on our web site, and in newspapers throughout the state.

Skills: Good writing skills, access to email

Hours: 6-8 hour per assignment includes time at event plus writing time; possibility of covering up to one event every two months.

Over 300 people volunteer their time each year to the Forest Society. We hope you can be one of them!

Sign-up today!

If you have any questions, please contact our volunteer program at .