Conservation Restriction Biodiversity Monitoring -Punkatassett Preserve, Concord

The Trustees are a conservation leader in Massachusetts most known for the Reservations throughout the State. In addition to the Reservations, The Trustees protects more than 20,000 acres through conservation restrictions (CRs). Trustees staff monitor these properties for encroachment and boundary issues, but don't have the resources for biological monitoring. Regularly collected biological data is important for a variety of reasons. Early detection of invasive or rare species can be critical for management; recording species observations over time allows staff to quantify changes in the ecosystem; recording how organisms change throughout the year provides insight into how they are responding to climate change. 

The Trustees are recruiting biological monitoring volunteers for several CRs, including the Punkatasset Preserve in Concord, MA to record observations in iNaturalist. Additional locations available to monitored are located in Belmont, Taunton, and Holliston. If you frequent these areas, this opportunity will fit right into your regular routine!  Even if you have never visited this property, if you are hoping to be outside engaging with nature, this opportunity is for you!  

Benefits: 

• Collect important biological data by documenting the organisms at the Punkatassett Preserve  

• Deepen your connection to nature by observing closely throughout the seasons 

• Joining a community of people excited about conservation 

• Enjoy regular walks around the property 

Responsibilities: 

• Spend 30-60 minutes per week (rough average) recording observations 

• Explore the trail network, and make sure all areas of the trails have observations 

• Suggest IDs for observations made by others on the property, if able 

• Log hours spent making observations 

Qualifications:  

• Interest in The Trustees conservation efforts and biological monitoring 

• Transportation to and from the site 

• Ability to walk on uneven trail surfaces 

• A cell phone with the ability to use iNaturalist (training provided) 

Time Commitment:  

• 60 minutes per week spent making observations is the target, but this opportunity is flexible and designed to work with your schedule 

What's in our nature? Resiliency. Community. Discovery. Creativity.
Join The Trustees as a volunteer to help protect and take care of the Commonwealth’s greatest treasures and to make nature and the outdoors accessible for all, forever.

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.