Why not utilize the knowledge you gained from attending Florida Master Naturalists classes?
The listings below are local organizations that need volunteers:
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Gopher Tortoise Burrow Survey, March-April 2022
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BOYD HILL NATURE PARK, St. Petersburg, FL –
Ongoing Opportunities
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 a.m.: Work Crew – Under new leadership, work crew volunteers now work with experienced invasive removal staff to clear exotics and maintain the natural Florida landscape that the preserve protects. Any volunteers over 18 accepted, must dress appropriately for heavy work and brush removal. Always meet at 8 a.m. sharp no exceptions. Volunteers can plan to leave any time after or stay the full day and work until 3 p.m.
Wednesdays between 8 – 9 a.m.: Native Gardening – Join staff in doing regular upkeep and maintenance in and around the nature center gardens. Learn planting, propagating, and plant identification from those who know. Meet anytime between 8 – 9 a.m. Any help big or small is greatly appreciated. Remember regular monthly volunteering allows free admission to the trails for volunteers.
Thursdays from 4 – 6 p.m.: Teen Workgroup (worth 3hrs of volunteer time) – Starting the first week of June through until school gets back in August. Join Ranger Staff in various volunteer projects from marking Gopher tortoise borrows, removing invasive, clearing vines, cleaning streams, gardening, and weeding. Every week will be something different for Teens ages 13-18 in high school.
Meet other teens and work together. Sign-ups on line or inside the nature center. All Participants will get credit for 3hrs of volunteer work each time no matter how long the group works. Ten workdays x 3hrs = 30hrs credited for the summer. Dress to get dirty and do hard work.
Sundays at 9 a.m.: The Pioneer Garden is shutting down for the summer, join volunteers these last few weeks to prep the soil for next fall. Regular workdays will resume in September. Remember if you need your hours logged to get signatures on your paperwork on the spot. Individual hours are no longer reported. Ask to be added to their email list now for all future updates on work.
Tram Tour Drivers – Opportunities are opening up for new drivers to help out. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 1 p.m. all will need regular committed drivers, ongoing or for just the summer. Anyone interested or working on getting familiar with tram tours is encouraged to contact Ranger Stephanie about getting approved as a tram tour driver.
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Help Request – Boat support needed for new bird banding station on Caladesi Island State Park:
BOAT TRANSPORTATION NEEDED: The migratory bird banding project that Jim McGinity has been operating in Dunedin’s Hammock Park over the last 6 years is looking to move to Caladesi Island State Park. Starting this fall, the banding project needs transportation support 6 days each spring and fall to transport volunteers out to Caladesi Island.
DETAILS: Boat and boat driver to transport 4-6 people on Sundays 5:00-6:00 AM.
CONTACT: Jim McGinity directly at jmcginity53@gmail.com if you are able to help, or have information about a boat that may be able to help.
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Help Request – Research volunteer needed in Maryland during the summer months:
MARYLAND BIRD DETECTIVE NEEDED: I, Jim McGinity, am looking for a Florida Master Naturalist who summers in (or visits) Maryland near Patuxent to do a little detective work. During the early 1900s, there was a woman who conducted bird banding research on Caladesi Island (now a state park in Dunedin). I am looking for someone who would be willing to go to the bird banding laboratory and search through their records held in their basement. I am seeking information about what bird species and data had been collected during this period as background information for our upcoming bird banding project on Caladesi Island State Park.
CONTACT: If you are interested, please contact me, Jim McGinity, via email to discuss details – jmcginity53@gmail.com.
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For more information and current volunteer opportunities or to list your organization volunteer opportunities, please email: