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Volunteer Opportunities

Got time? We’ve got a volunteer opportunity to match your skills!

Log YOUR VOLUNTEER HOURS HERE
Register to become a Pickering Creek Volunteer! Receive volunteer opportunity notifications and keep in touch!  Upcoming volunteer opportunities can be found within our list of programming here.

Find upcoming volunteer opportunities in our Upcoming Programs list HERE. Look for “VOLUNTEER!”

Here are a few of Pickering’s ongoing volunteer needs:

Gardeners
Pickering Creek has a number of small garden areas that feature, primarily native plants which flourish with regular TLC. Lend helping hands to Pickering gardens and enjoy the company of fellow volunteers as we plant and prune (and weed) for an hour or so in the garden beds at the Center entrance, Byron House, Settlers garden area, near the office, and at Peterson Woods. Most gardening is scheduled during Garden and Grounds days and Saturday Service Days. Check for dates upcoming gardening days. Gardeners can also work with the Volunteer Coordinator to establish their own schedule.   
Weed Warriors
Have some frustrations to work out?  Want a work out? Pulling invasive plants like Japanese Honeysuckle and English Ivy might be just the thing for you!  Sign up for upcoming Garden and Grounds days here
Groundskeepers
Mowing, trimming, weeding, painting,  and removal of exotic plant species are only a few of the general everyday chores that need to be done to keep Pickering Creek looking its best. If you like being outdoors and enjoy variety, and like working on your own schedule we’ve got something for you. Email the Volunteer Coordinator for a list of activities tailored to your interests and schedule.
Buildings Maintenance Crew
Gifted in carpentry, painting or other odd jobs? Pickering is fortunate to have unique buildings that were built with the superior building skills and materials over 90 ago. Keeping up with such buildings takes quality and patient workmanship. We are looking for folks interested in giving our buildings the tender love and care they have earned! Email the Volunteer Coordinator for current projects that can use your unique skill set.
Trail Monitors
Volunteers keep our trails inviting and safe for visitors and students. They walk their assigned trails on a regular basis to carry out light maintenance tasks such as briar trimming and trail lining, to report on downed trees, damaged boardwalks, and other trail hazards, and to check paths after major weather events. Regular monitoring is a great time to enjoy the beauty of the changing seasons at Pickering—while keeping the paths in tip-top shape.  Contact the volunteer Coordinator and she will schedule a time to meet with you to go over monitoring responsibilities and assign a trail for your care.
e-Bird Monitors
E-bird monitoring, led by members of the Talbot County Bird Club, takes place on the first Tuesday of each month, from 8am-10am. A census of birds taken on those days is recorded on the e-Bird site and used to accumulate an historical record of bird species and numeracy—and to provide Pickering with a specific record of its bird populations, especially important as we increase wetland habitat. Volunteers are needed to assist the leaders by spotting birds and assisting in the recording of data. 
Nest Box Monitors
Nest boxes are nothing without monitors! Join our team of volunteer Bluebird and Wood Duck nest box monitors to ensure safe, productive and native wildlife use of our extensive network of boxes. Contact the Volunteer Coordinator and she will add your name to list of invitees to spring nest box monitoring training.
Project FeederWatch at Pickering Creek
FeederWatch is an easy, fun way to monitor winter birds as they visit our feeders this winter.  FeederWatch observation days at Pickering Creek are Wednesdays and Thursdays January 3 through April 5. Wing Watchers are volunteers that participate throughout the year in a wide variety of organized bird citizen science projects used by Audubon and its partners including Project FeederWatch. This team is especially designed for volunteers of all ages and birding skill levels and may be of interest to those who enjoy wildlife watching in general.  Volunteers interested in participating in Project FeederWatch should contact the Volunteer Coordinator for a short orientation session.
Writers
Put your creative and factual writing skills to work. Assist Pickering Creek with press releases, newsletter articles, content for the website, and trail guides. Put your name on the Office Support team list as a writer, and we will give you a call when we need you!
Photographers
There is so much to photograph at Pickering, and so little time for staff to capture all the amazing moments with children exploring wildlife and the beautiful seasonal changes of the site. If you fancy yourself a gifted photographer and have time to spend outdoors doing what you love, let us know, and we can give you an idea of the shots we need and you are willing to share for use in printed materials, grant reports, press releases and more.
Office Support
Are data input, mail merges and envelope stuffing more of a game to you than a hated chore? We could use your help periodically throughout the year.  Put your name on Office Support team list, and we will give you a call when we need you!
If you don’t see something to suit your talents, we may have other volunteer jobs for you.
Please complete a volunteer application, and Samantha will contact you.
Questions?
Contact the Volunteer Coordinator at spitts@pickeringcreek.org or call 410-822-4903 ext. 26