Skills and Experience

You do not need to have any experience, but you do need to be in good health and be reasonably physically fit.

  • Nursery work – best for all ages – involves standing, walking, kneeling and carrying potted plants. Volunteers may pull weeds from the plant pots, water plants, fertilize, or sort plants by species.
  • Tree planting and invasive plant removal – easy to moderately demanding – involves walking on uneven ground, digging, kneeling, lifting, and working with tools that will use a variety of muscle groups. It’s a good workout and very rewarding.
  • Trail maintenance – moderately demanding to very strenuous – involves clearing brush and debris, cleaning drainage structure, doing trail tread repairs, or building boardwalks, rock steps or rock wall. Volunteers are expected to be able to hike 1-4 miles uphill and downhill carrying tools or project materials. Great work out and very rewarding.

Who

Volunteer projects are great for individuals, families, work teams and groups. Due to the nature of the projects and tools we will be using, we do have several age requirements to volunteer:

  • Restoration Projects: 6 years old recommended minimum
  • Trail Projects: 14 years old required minimum
  • All projects: Volunteers under age 13 must each be accompanied by an adult.

What to Bring/Wear

In order to participate in a volunteer event, volunteers are required to wear:

  • Long pants – we’ll be working with tools, so no shorts!
  • Sturdy, close-toed shoes
    • hiking/work boots required for trail projects
    • tennis shoes are acceptable for most restoration events
  • Sleeved shirt
  • Gloves (provided, but feel free to bring your own)

In addition, we recommend that volunteers also bring:

  • Warm layers
  • Rain gear
  • Snacks (we will provide a few as well)
  • At least one full water bottle (at least 2 liters are recommended for summer events)
  • Small day pack for water, extra layers, etc
  • Sunscreen and bug spray in the spring and summer

We’ll provide tools, project materials, hard hats, extra gloves, and some extra rain gear. Improperly dressed or prepared volunteers will not be allowed to participate, for their own safety and the safety of the other volunteers.

Places to Get Inexpensive Boots for Trail Events

Second Ascent in Seattle (Ballard)

REI – Outlet

Factory Stores Outlet Mall in North Bend

You might also find cheaper shoes at a Goodwill, Value Village or Payless Shoes