Forest Restoration Volunteer
Volunteering in Fernbank Forest gives you an opportunity to spend time in nature while helping the Museum’s ongoing restoration efforts. Volunteers will have the opportunity to learn about native environments, as well as current and future ecological restoration efforts on campus, while helping to eradicate nonnative invasive species.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Become familiar with native plant identification.
- Assist in restoration activities, including removing non-native, invasive species (by hand and with tools) and occasionally planting native species.
- Help maintain trails throughout WildWoods and Fernbank Forest.
- Participate in other activities throughout WildWoods and Fernbank Forest seasonally and as needed.
EXPECTATIONS
- Interest in restoration ecology, botany, gardening or horticulture in an outdoor setting.
- Willingness to learn about the flora and fauna of the Georgia Piedmont.
- Ability to work outdoors, including walking/hiking up to 2 miles, and have physical skills necessary to perform restoration activities (involves some lifting, bending, digging, working with tools, etc.).
- Dress appropriately for the season and for working outdoors in a family friendly environment. Closed-toe shoes or boots are required.
- Compliance with Museum policies and procedures.
- Volunteers must be 16 years of age or accompanied by a guardian.
TIME COMMITMENT
We ask that volunteers work one three-hour restoration shift each month. Volunteer restoration days occur from 9 a.m. – noon on Mondays and Fridays, and the second Saturday of the month throughout the year from 9 a.m. – noon. Shifts may be canceled due to inclement weather.
BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING
Being a volunteer benefits you as well! In addition to spending time in the amazing Fernbank Forest, you'll receive complimentary admission to the Museum and Giant Screen Theater films, earn guest passes for hours of service, participate in ongoing educational opportunities and receive invitations to special volunteer events.
TRAINING/APPLICATION PROCESS
Training will be held informally on an as-needed basis throughout the year with “volunteer-to-volunteer shadowing” as a critical element. Training is typically done at the start of each shift and is ongoing while working.
To apply, please complete an application and email forest@fernbankmuseum.org
The Forest Manager will then contact the applicant with follow-up information. A background check is required for all Museum volunteers. Forest-only volunteers do not need to do Museum orientation.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Group and corporate volunteering restoration opportunities are available.
Fernbank Forest internships are available each semester.
Please contact the Forest Manager at forest@fernbankmuseum.org if you have further questions about volunteering or internships.
Fernbank is a nonprofit natural history museum, giant screen theater and old-growth forest, and is not affiliated with Fernbank Science Center, which operates as a division of DeKalb County Schools.
