Trails Stewardship- Central, Pioneer Valley, and Berkshires Structured Role

About the Trustees:
The Trustees is an organization with a fascinating past and an exciting future. Our places are open to all and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in what we do. Founded in 1891, by a group of visionary volunteers, we preserve, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts and work to protect special places across the state. We have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 26,000+ acres on over 120 reservations that are all open to the public. We are a nonprofit conservation organization funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and more than 60,000 member households. 

Together with our neighbors we preserve the distinct character of our community and inspire a commitment to special places across the commonwealth.  We envision a Commonwealth that is thriving as a result of people’s commitment to creating healthy, active, and green communities.  Our passion is to share with everyone the irreplaceable landscapes and landmarks that we care for – as we know how valuable they are to our everyday life. 

Currently, 35 properties in the Western Region are managed by a trails team based out of Ashfield. There is a wide variety of different sites including campgrounds, formal gardens, wildlife meadows, forested trails, and mountainous waterfalls.   More information on our properties can be found at: www.thetrustees.org.

Structured Volunteer Role Overview:
Further your studies and learning path while assisting the Inland Trails Team with property care. A wide variety of routine projects and hands-on experience is possible, including trail construction, volunteer management, vegetation management, sign installation, and drainage improvements. Help people discover these special places and foster local land conservation efforts while you “learn by doing” to gain a deeper understanding of field operations at the cutting edge of land trust work.  You will acquire marketable job skills for the natural resources field and complete measurably valuable projects through this service-learning opportunity.  This is an experiential learning placement where you are working alongside and helping the non-profit staff and other volunteers.

Responsibilities (may include but are not limited to the following):
Typical responsibilities of the Volunteer will vary depending on current needs and the volunteer’s interests, skills, experience and abilities, but will be similar to tasks listed below.

• Visit properties with staff and assist with maintenance duties such as:
  • Trail maintenance, litter pickup, mowing paths, raking leaves, graffiti removal
  • Brush trimming, and corridor maintenance; hazard tree felling and removal
• Projects: sign installation, trail tread building, painting, carpentry (bridges, culverts and more), rockwork, etc.
• Organize and maintain tools and equipment in the storage area, shop, and in vehicles

Physical Demands of the Position:
Must be able to handle the physical demands of the job, which includes a level of physical fitness adequate to enable them to, for example:

• Lift and carry 40 lbs. of tools/gear across 2+ trail miles
• Work outdoors for 4-6 hours on their feet in a variety of weather conditions
• To safely handle shovels, rakes, pruners, handsaws, hammers, and other tools

Position Requirements:

• Transportation to begin work at the shop and/or field location
• Commitment to remain in regular communication with volunteer supervisor regarding scheduling, work planning and the like.  A smartphone is not required but is extremely helpful
• 80-140 hours. 80 hours is the minimum commitment for this position. College credit may be available if this SVO meets an academic institution's parameters.
• One full 8-hour day per week is the minimum commitment for this position due to travel and other logistical concerns
• Unfortunately, this volunteer role is UNPAID with no compensation, nor stipends available 
• Please note: A background check may be required for this role

Learning Opportunities & Other Benefits:

• Training in trails and entrance routine and project-based work
• Specific training and experience in tools and equipment used in field operations for parks maintenance and management
• Increased skill at managing and coordinating other volunteers
• Augment familiarity with local natural areas
• Exposure to a leading conservation organization: an on-the-inside look at operations
• Improved time management, work planning and event management
• Develop community contacts, supplementing your local contacts.
• You will likely perform tasks pertaining to the following careers (partial list):

Painter

Carpenter

Landscaper

Arborist

Park Ranger

Mechanic

Maintenance Specialist

Trailbuilder

 

Contact:    Josh Knox | Trails Team Leader |  jknox@thetrustees.org

To explore other volunteer opportunities, visit our volunteer page at http://volunteer.thetrustees.org/
 
More about The Trustees
Founded by landscape architect Charles Eliot in 1891, The Trustees has, for more than 125 years, been a catalyst for important ideas, endeavors, and progress in Massachusetts. As a steward of distinctive and dynamic places of both historic and cultural value, The Trustees is the nation’s first preservation and conservation organization, and its landscapes and landmarks continue to inspire discussion, innovation, and action today as they did in the past. We are a nonprofit, supported by members, friends and donors and our 116 sites are destinations for residents, members, and visitors alike, welcoming millions of guests annually. www.thetrustees.org.
 
Inclusive Spaces for All
We are committed to providing a welcoming environment for all. Together, alongside our partners and volunteers we are creating inclusive spaces of community for people of all backgrounds to enjoy and preserving these open spaces for everyone, forever. We are committed to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity, ability, and experience.

The Trustees is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal employment opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, military service, application for military service, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law. The Trustees makes reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.
 
Covid-19 Volunteer Safety:
The health and safety of Trustees’ volunteers, staff and visitors is our top priority.

• If you are not feeling well, please stay home
• If you have been in contact with someone with Covid-19 or someone displaying symptoms of Covid-19, please stay home
• For our most current Covid-19 updates, please visit our main Trustees site