Weed Warrior (Invasive Plant volunteer)

Summary:

John Muir National Historic Site is looking for volunteers to join our crew of Weed Warriors! Weed warriors will assist Natural Resource Management staff in a variety of invasive plant projects, including inventory and monitoring activities as well as invasive plant removal. Work will include monitoring, classifying, and removing invasive vegetation. The skills and knowledge learned from this volunteer opportunity include, but are not limited to, plant identification skills, weed removal techniques, and basic plant ecology. Weed Warrior events are scheduled on an as-needed basis with more events occurring in spring/summer. Specific dates and meeting locations will be shared by email.

Safety Considerations:

Working outdoors is fun, healthy, and a great way to make a difference in your local parks! Working outdoors also comes with exposure to potential hazards such as hiking on uneven terrain, UV exposure, ticks, bees, and poison oak. Staff will identify potential hazards in work areas as we strive to create the safest environment possible, but it is impossible to eliminate all potential hazards when working outside in nature.

Knowledge and Skills Required by the Position:

· Interest in Environmental/Biological Sciences or other related fields

· Ability to work on a team in various outdoor settings

· Observant and strong attention to detail

· (Preferred) Knowledge of invasive plant species and treatment methods

Volunteer duties include:

· Hiking on and off trail on Mt. Wanda to reach invasive plant populations

· Using hand tools (provided by NPS staff) to manually remove invasive plants

· Working in a team environment

· Applying basic biology concepts and methods in a field setting

· Helping with community outreach and education efforts

Volunteers will be provided with hand tools, gloves, extra water, and training on invasive plant identification and removal.

Volunteers are responsible for wearing clothes that can get dirty, wearing closed-toe shoes, bringing a refillable water bottle, sunscreen, snacks, and other personal items.