Looking to learn new things, give back to your community, and have fun? Sacajawea Audubon Society (SAS) is building a team of volunteers who will enjoy Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve (IAWP) while restoring this urban wetland and protecting the Gallatin Watershed. You’ll make friends, get exercise, and bask in the benefits of being in nature.
SAS is a grassroots non-profit organization that is highly dependent on our incredible crew of dedicated volunteers. Volunteering at the IAWP is a unique opportunity to get involved with your local urban wetlands! We have many different volunteer positions, ranging from one-time volunteer events to long-term volunteer positions.
Click Here – For more information and to SIGN UP to be a IAWP Busy Beaver Volunteer
WHAT IS Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve (IAWP) BUSY BEAVERS?
IAWP Busy Beavers is a long-term volunteer team. Becoming an IAWP Busy Beaver is a great way to take care of our local wetlands and the watershed they support, meet community members, receive free educational workshops, deepen your understanding of watershed health, and get outside! No prior experience necessary; all ages are welcome. You will receive training in all volunteer areas of interest.
HOW TO VOLUNTEER
All volunteers must attend a mandatory training session. Beyond that, the minimum commitment to be a 2024 volunteer will be 10 hours of volunteer service per year. Volunteer activities are grouped into 3 areas:
Restoration, Maintenance and Monitoring: Volunteers engage in direct restoration and enhancement activities to maintain and monitor the wetland. Activities include well/piezometer monitoring, tree watering and wrapping, photo point monitoring, mulching, weed removals and beaver management. Additionally, volunteers will help collect long-term data that may include water quality data (i.e. collecting water samples for lab analysis), fauna diversity (i.e. bird nest counts, wildlife surveys), and flora diversity (i.e. plant surveys). There will be a particular focus on collecting before and after restoration data at the IAWP. These volunteers are crucial to the long-term success of restoration and enhancement of the wetland.
Wetland Interpretive Host: The IAWP provides SAS members and the community with the perfect opportunity to learn about wetland ecology. A place of respite to observe the wildlife and plants that use wetlands. As a wetland interpretive host, you will help welcome visitors to IAWP and answer questions about the wetland complex and the wetland trails. Hosting training will be provided, so no experience is necessary!
IAWP Wetland Naturalist: Wetland Naturalist are many things: advocates, volunteers, teachers, and environmental stewards of wetlands. The program goal is to empower wetland & watershed enthusiasts to put their unique skills to use through local conservation and restoration activities. After naturalist training, they can:
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- Leads hands-on science-based educational activities, at the IAWP, with youth and adults.
- Lead school field trips to at the IAWP or other wetlands project sites.
- Be guest speakers during lectures or workshops.
- Volunteer with other organizations
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SAS, and other partner organizations, offer free educational workshops throughout the year for IAWP Busy Beavers to gain a greater understanding of wetlands & riparian areas.