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.
Learn More & Sign Up to be a IAWP Busy Beaver Volunteer
About the Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve (IAWP) Busy Beavers
IAWP Busy Beavers are a volunteer team committed to supporting our local wetlands and the watershed they support. Becoming an IAWP Busy Beaver is a great way to give back, deepen your understanding of watershed health, meet community members, receive free educational workshops, and get outside! No prior experience is necessary and all ages are welcome. We ask that Busy Beavers commit to volunteering at least 10 hours a year and we have many different types of volunteer activities to you help support the IAWP. Whatever your skill set or interests, there is a place for you at the IAWP!
How to Volunteer
Activities are grouped into three areas: 1. Restoration, Maintenance and Monitoring, 2. Wetland Interpretive Host, and 3. IAWP Wetland Naturalist. We offer a mandatory volunteer training in any area of interest.
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.