Love the outdoors?! We need enthusiastic volunteers!!!
Where else can you volunteer to get hot stinky filthy and bugbit while playing in the dirt, exacting vengence on non native invasive vegetation, and taking part in ecosystem management and rehabilitation...I mean really! :-D
Back Woods is a dynamic living system that is constantly changing. Through out the year volunteers will have many different opportunities to participate in the restoration and preservation of the Back Woods from simple trash clean ups and trail maintenance projects to helping staff prevent and control invasive plants and develop our infrastructure.
Non Native Invasive Species Prevention/Control
Many non native plants have been introduced or escaped to our native Florida ecosystems. Some of those non native plants are considered invasive species and threaten our native systems. Non native invasive plants out compete our native species and may even alter functions of native ecosystems. Help our museum staff in their challenge to restore and protect native Florida habitats by removing and preventing the return of non native invasive plant species in the Back Woods.
Forest Clean-up
Before the museum acquired the Back Woods it once laid at the end of a secluded dead end road. Many careless individuals thought it was the perfect place to dump their trash. Years later, we need to clean up their mess. Buried and surface trash poses hazards to visitors, wildlife, and complicates the use of prescribed fire in our forest. Help our museum staff tackle decades of abuse and neglect in clean ups to remove trash from the Back Woods.
Trails and Upkeep
The Back Woods is a living system. Sun and rain take their toll on structures and our trails and waysides need constant attention to keep the forest from reclaiming them. Help our museum staff maintain our infrastructure and keep our trails and waysides clear and open for all our guests to enjoy.
Volunteer Forest Steward opportunities:
Preservation Steward
Position description: Preservation stewards may be involved in trail construction and maintenance, boardwalk construction and maintenance, native plantings, invasive plant removal, habitat protection, and basic forest upkeep.
Requirements: Must be at least 18 years of age and capable of working out-of-doors year round in extremes of temperature. Position requires a moderate to high level of physical capability. Previous experience with landscape related hand tools and power tools helpful but not required. Closed toe shoes and long pants are required year round.
Shifts: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. as available.
Monitoring Steward
Position description: Monitoring Stewards may be involved in collecting data on the plants and animals present in the Back Woods, establishing photo reference points to track habitat changes, quantitative measure of plant populations, updating database records, locating and recording positions of invasive species, and assisting in basic forest upkeep.
Requirements: Must be at least 18 years of age and capable of working out-of-doors year round in extremes of temperature. Position requires a moderate to high level of physical capability. Knowledge of Central Florida plant/animal species and habitat types helpful but not necessary. Closed toe shoes and long pants are required year round.
Shifts: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. as available
Outreach Steward (Coming Soon)
Position description: Outreach Stewards may be involved in docent activities in the Back Woods including; conducting nature walks and developing/delivering natural resource related talks for MOSI guests, school groups and the general public.
Requirements: Must be at least 18 years of age and capable of working out-of-doors year round in extremes of temperature. Position requires a moderate to high level of physical capability. Working knowledge of Central Florida native flora, fauna, and habitats preferred. Closed toe shoes and long pants are required year round.
Shifts: Variable daytime shifts and weekends may be available as the program develops.
Please contact Carolyn at crhodes@mosi.org or 813-987-6303 for more information on volunteer positions.
