Volunteer for Nature

Volunteer Positions

NEW! AmeriCorps Opportunities

• The program provides hands-on conservation work experience and numerous certifications.

  Field Assistant AmeriCorps (2 Positions)

  Come explore the wilds of New Hampshire and work with us to manage The Nature Conservancy's preserves throughout the Granite State. From salt marsh monitoring to maintenance of accessible trails, and lots in between, you’ll work in innovative ways with state-of-the-art tools in a collaborative fashion with TNC staff, community volunteers and conservation partners. The AmeriCorps members perform and participate in a wide variety of land management and stewardship tasks, including preserve operations, maintenance and management, rare species or habitat monitoring, and communications with the public. Housing is available in a small rustic cabin along the beautiful shoreline of Whitton Pond in Albany, NH. Travel will be required throughout New Hampshire, and occasional longer field trips may be required, which may require overnight accommodations. The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire has 2 half-year positions (22.5 weeks) available beginning May 17, 2023 for the summer/fall Lakes Region Conservation Corps (LRCC) program.

  ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  The Field Assistant AmeriCorps members are responsible for stewardship support of TNC’s preserves throughout New Hampshire. They will perform routine maintenance of preserve areas and infrastructure frequented by the visiting public, which may include trail work, trailhead maintenance, minor carpentry and tree or brush removal. Additionally, they will perform land management activities, which may include removing exotic species, conducting ecological monitoring, field mowing, boundary maintenance, etc., and be responsible for the maintenance of tools, equipment and supplies. The members will enter and manipulate field data using a mobile device, maintain preserve records using a database and prepare reports as needed. We are fortunate to have a small crew of loyal and hard-working volunteers that help us manage our lands. The members will engage with volunteers and provide leadership during workdays.

  The AmeriCorps members may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. This position requires physical exertion and/or muscular strain, long hours in isolated settings, and presents frequent possibility of injury. Preserves tend to be at least an hour away from any of the three TNC offices in NH. Independent decision making and an ability to work through challenging situations as a team member are critical to the success of this role.

  RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
  

  • Works with stewardship staff and volunteers to perform preserve maintenance tasks (maintaining signs, building and maintaining trails, maintaining parking lots, marking boundaries, controlling invasive species).
  • Interacts with preserve visitors by providing information about the preserves, promoting the work of TNC, answering questions, and enforcing preserve policies.
  • Deals with problems as they arise on preserves (may include dumping, unpermitted uses, vandalism, camping, etc.).
  • Assists stewardship staff with ecological monitoring.
  • Assists with maintenance of basic equipment such as hand and power tools, chainsaws, tractors, UTVs, etc.
  • May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances. Requires considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain.
  • Participates, when available and as certified, as crew member on controlled burns in NH and Maine.
  • Assists with special projects as needed.
  • May require long hours in isolated settings.
  • Makes day-to-day decisions as delegated by supervisor.
  • May work under infrequent supervision.

  MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • Must be 18 years of age by May 17, 2023.
  • Must be covered by health insurance for the duration of the program.
  • Must be a US citizen, US national or legal permanent resident.
  • Must clear all required national service criminal history checks.
  • Must be a high school graduate, GED recipient, or be working toward obtaining one during the term of service.
  • Experience recognizing plant and animal species.
  • Experience operating various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner (e.g., lawn mower, chainsaw, UTV, ATV or OHV, tractor, two-way radio, or similar equipment).
  • Experience working in a team environment.
  • Experience performing physical work.
  • Valid driver’s license.
  • Available from May 17, 2023, through October 20, 2023.

  DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience working with or knowledge of natural systems.
  • Knowledge and familiarity with New Hampshire biota, geography, natural history and environmental science preferred.
  • Ability to identify invasive plant species common to New Hampshire, and experience with control and monitoring projects.
  • Possess basic carpentry skills as may be needed to build or repair preserve signage and kiosks.
  • Safe and competent use of chainsaw; preferably training in chainsaw safety and maintenance.
  • Experience working with volunteers and/or leading volunteer work activities.
  • Knowledge of, and demonstrated experience with, a GPS unit to find and mark field locations. Able to read and interpret road and topographic maps, aerial photos and other sources of mapped information.
  • Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and ArcGIS.
  • Willingness to travel throughout New Hampshire over extensive periods of time, work weekends and occasional evenings.
  • Ability to accept and follow instructions and take responsibility.
  • Experience working productively and efficiently (a “self-starter”) alone minus direct supervision, including ability to independently plan, solve problems, improvise and adapt to shifting demands.
  • Communicates effectively in person and in writing with a wide variety of people, including preserve neighbors, private landowners, partners, preserve visitors and volunteers.
  • Ability to be aware and observant as well as objectively assess risks, employ sound judgment and avoid potential hazards.
  • Attentive to detail, well-organized, energetic and self-motivating.
  • First Aid and CPR certifications.
  • Qualified as a Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2), including Introduction to ICS (I-100), Human Factors on the Fire line (L-180), Introduction to Wild Land Fire Behavior (S-190), Firefighting Training (S-130), and one training burn serving under the supervision of a qualified FFT2. Explore our fire program.
    
  • Able to achieve physical fitness standard as determined by local fire program manager and the TNC Fire Manual.

  BENEFITS

  • Wilderness First Aid and CPR.
  • Living allowance: $540 biweekly stipend distributed biweekly.
  • AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,247.50 (half-year) received upon successful completion of program (minimum of 900 hours for half-year).
  • Provided housing (please note: no housing stipend will be provided).
  • Student loan forbearance on qualified loans.
  • Optional: Federal Standard NWCG Wildland Fire Training (S-130/190).

  Interested? Learn more and apply.
  

Program Overview

• Interested in becoming a volunteer? Here's the place to start.

  Check out the Volunteer Position descriptions below. Once you know what you're interested in, fill out the Volunteer Interest Form. Our volunteer coordinators will reach out to you about training and orientation. Thanks!
  

Preserve Stewardship Team

• Be on the frontlines of conservation at the preserve nearest (or dearest) to you!

  Join a small team of like-minded volunteers! These stewardship teams are trained to perform general monitoring and basic stewardship on the preserve they select. They also serve as ambassadors to the public and assist with larger volunteer projects as necessary and able. Volunteers should have reliable transportation, be comfortable walking the preserve trails, and be able to read a map.

  Commitment: The Nature Conservancy requests a one year, good-faith commitment and six annual visits to the preserve, with a focus on April-October.

  Benefits: Free training in land management and stewardship, with the opportunity for further learning in topics like natural history, trail maintenance, and boundary monitoring. A connection to The Nature Conservancy and the opportunity to work with others committed to a future where nature and people thrive. The chance to intimately know, and care for, a piece of land that is not only important to the community around it, but vital to the future of biodiversity.

  Why we need you: With more than 26,000 acres spread over 29 preserves, and more than 60 miles of trails, The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire has a lot to manage. Our stewardship teams perform tasks necessary to maintain ecosystem health, provide an outstanding visitor experience, and uphold the high standards we set for ourselves as owners and protectors of the land. In addition, stewards inform us of any urgent preserve needs, allowing us to address issues in a timely, efficient manner.

  Open Positions:                     

  Pine Barrens Protectors (Osssipee, NH)

  Green Hills Guardians (North Conway, NH)

  Lubberland Habitat Heroes (Newmarket, NH)

  Manchester Keepers of the Swamp (Manchester, NH)

Conservation Rover

• Become the “go-to” volunteer for stewardship miscellanea.

  Do you want a taste of a little bit of everything? The conservation rover is someone who has a flexible schedule, a willingness to travel, and an excitement about learning, seeing and trying new things. They are the volunteer we call up when we need a hand installing a new preserve sign, want a second person to patrol boundaries with, or think would be perfect to investigate a suspected patch of invasive species. Conservation Rovers should have reliable transportation, be comfortable outside, and work well with others or alone.

  Commitment: Conservation rovers don’t have a set number of days they are expected to work, but they should try to be available within three weeks of notice and avoid cancellations.   

  Benefits: The chance to shape a volunteer position to your interests, and to learn about and participate in a wide range of conservation and land management practices. A connection to The Nature Conservancy, and the opportunity to work outside with others. Exploration of the state and the many unique and precious ecosystems within it.

  Why we need you: With more than 26,000 acres spread over 29 preserves, and more than 60 miles of trails, The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire has a lot to manage. Our land stewards could often use another set of hands, but don’t always have volunteers in place to help, especially at our more remote preserves. We need conservation rovers to be a reliable, trustworthy network of support wherever we are, whatever we need to get done.  

  Supervisors:

  Northern NH: contact Mike Crawford.
  Southern NH: contact Joanne Glode.
  

Preserve Adopter

• Care for preserves with the flexibility of your own schedule.

  Our volunteer Preserve Adopters serve as our eyes, ears, and muscle on the ground, and as ambassadors to the public. They dedicate their time to a single preserve and work independently to meet the stewardship goals for the preserve. On their own time, they will help maintain trails, eradicate invasive species, and assist with workdays.

  Commitment: The Nature Conservancy requests a one-year, good-faith commitment and six annual visits to the preserve, with a focus on April-October.

  Benefits: Get hands-on learning and training in land management and stewardship practices. A connection to The Nature Conservancy and the opportunity to work outside with others. The chance to intimately know and care for a piece of land that is not only important to the community around it, but vital to the future of biodiversity.

  Why we need you: With more than 26,000 acres spread over 29 preserves, and more than 60 miles of trails, The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire has a lot to manage. Our stewardship teams perform tasks necessary to maintain ecosystem health, provide an outstanding visitor experience, and uphold the high standards we set for ourselves as owners and protectors of the land. In addition, stewards inform us of any urgent preserve needs, allowing us to address issues in a timely, efficient manner.

Trail Adopter

• Volunteer at your leisure to monitor and maintain a trail that’s important to you.

  Our trail adopters are just like you! Enthusiastic users of a Nature Conservancy trail that they want to help care for. Trail adopters agree to walk/hike/run/bike/ski their trail regularly and report on anything that is amiss, trim back encroaching vegetation, and remove any trash or debris. They also serve as ambassadors to the public and may assist with larger volunteer projects as necessary and able. Volunteers should have reliable transportation, be comfortable traveling the preserve trails, and be able to read a map.

  Commitment: The Nature Conservancy requests a one year, good-faith commitment and at least four annual visits to the trail, especially in early spring and after storm events.

  Benefits: Free training in trail maintenance, a connection to The Nature Conservancy, and the opportunity to work outside with others. The chance to serve your community by maintaining a valuable resource, and pride in a job well done.

  Why we need you: With more than 60 miles of trails across the state, The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire relies on the help of volunteers to ensure our trails are safe and user-friendly. Trail adopters perform necessary maintenance tasks and inform us of any urgent trail needs, allowing us to address issues in a timely, efficient manner.

  Supervisor: Contact Mike Crawford.
  

Volunteer Burn Crew Member

• Light a fire for conservation.

  Get trained as a Wildland Firefighter and participate in The Nature Conservancy’s fire management program at the Ossipee Pine Barrens and in Southern Maine. Volunteers help prepare units to be burned and join the burn crew day-of to put fire on the ground in a safe and effective manner. Tasks include ignition, running engines and pumps, holding line, and patrolling the fire at the end of the day to make sure that it is dead out.

  Commitment: Burn crew members must take a 30-hour online course through the National Wildfire Coordinating Group on their own time, pass a physical fitness pack test, and attend a field day in the spring. One day helping to prepare burn units is requested. Controlled burns occur, as weather allows, from August to October and typically last one day.

  Benefits: Free Wildland Firefighter Type II training. Experience on a controlled burn for anyone looking to advance a fire career, or curious about fire management. A connection to The Nature Conservancy, and the opportunity to work outside with others. Contribution to sound fire management practices and the protection of a globally rare ecosystem.

  Why we need you: The Ossipee Pine Barrens Preserve protects the largest intact pine barrens in New Hampshire, a fire-adapted forest found only on dry, sandy soils. Since 2007, The Nature Conservancy has been using controlled burns to restore and maintain the health of this globally rare forest type. Because we have a small staff, we rely on partners and volunteers to fill our burn crews to ensure a safe and successful burn.

  2021 Training: Due to Covid-19, we have not yet determined what (if any) training will be offered. We still welcome you expressing your interest! 

  Supervisor: contact Michael Crawford via email or at (603) 356-8833.

Field Ecology Research Asst.

• Get on the ground to understand and monitor NH’s most precious ecosystems.

  From retired researcher to budding scientist, this is a great opportunity to get hands on, in the field, collecting data that will influence land management. The Field Ecology Research Assistant will work closely with stewardship staff to select an available ecological monitoring program that is best suited to their skills and abilities, with 1-2 volunteers assigned to each program.

  The field assistant should know, or be willing to learn, how to navigate with a GPS, a compass, and device-based software like GAIA, Avenza maps, or ArcCollector. Prior experience with plant identification or familiarity with common New England species is recommended. She or he must be comfortable traveling off trail, on uneven terrain, alone or with one other person.

  Commitment: Field Ecology Research is typically focused during the field season, roughly May to October, and often recurs annually. Field assistants must commit to the full project season and are encouraged to extend their service multiple years. See individual project descriptions for position-specific details.

  Benefits: Experience in field data collection such as plant identification, GPS navigation, and vegetation surveys. A great headstart to a career in natural resources or ecology. A connection to The Nature Conservancy, and the opportunity to work outside with others. Contribution to sound land management and the protection of critical ecosystems.

  Why we need you: The Nature Conservancy protects some of the most ecologically significant places in New Hampshire. Monitoring these ecosystems is critical to understanding how they are responding to environmental change, visitor use, and management.

  Interested? Select this option on your Volunteer Interest Form and you Volunteer Coordinator will reach out to you about opportunities!
  

Oyster Conservation Volunteers

• Contribute to the preservation of Great Bay Estuary by helping with oyster restoration.

  Our Marine Team has fantastic opportunities for you to make a positive impact on the health of the Great Bay Estuary: The New Hampshire Oyster Conservationist Program and Spat Counting Volunteers.

  NH Oyster Conservationist Program: As an Oyster Conservationist (OC) you will receive a cage with young oysters (spat) in July and care for those oysters over an 8-week period (Sept). During this time, you are asked to check on the cage, clean it, and collect data twice. These oysters are then placed on top of an oyster restoration site in Great Bay in October.

  Requirements to be an OC include access to water around Great Bay Estuary in New Hampshire. New OC's will be given training during cage deliveries. By selecting this option on the form, you will be added to our database and contacted in April-early May for the next season. If you have any questions about participating in the OC program please contact our Oyster Conservation Coordinator Brianna Group.

  Spat Counting Volunteers: Once in July and once in September we have our spat counting week event. Volunteers meet at the UNH Jackson Estuarine Laboratory with the Oyster Conservation Coordinator to count and measure young oysters (spat) at the beginning and end of the season. By selecting this option on the form you will be notified of the dates for each event and directed to Nature Groupie to register for the event once posted. 

  Dive deeper into the Oyster Conservationist Program and learn why we care about oysters and volunteers!
  

Workdays

• Many hands make light work.

  And time flies when you’re having fun! Join other conservation-minded volunteers for a full or half day of hands-on outdoor work removing invasive species, clearing trail, or improving preserve infrastructure.

  All volunteer workdays are announced in Volunteer for Nature News, a monthly e-newsletter from your TNC volunteer coordinators. Sign up through the Volunteer Interest Form.