Pollinator Garden Volunteer at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

Volunteers will be responsible for standard garden work, such as weeding, pruning, planting, and watering. Volunteers will also perform light trail maintenance around the perimeter of the garden and assist with invasive species removal. 

We are seeking volunteers with an interest in and/or experience with gardening, trail maintenance, invasive plant management, and/or horticulture. Training and tools will be provided. Volunteers are expected to adhere to all NPS and site-specific laws, policies, and standard operating procedures. 

Commitment 

We are seeking at least four recurring volunteers. Volunteers must be able to commit to: 

• A 2–3 hour shift every other week, Friday–Monday, during the summer (May–August). 
• A 2–3 hour shift once per month during the remainder of the year. 

Volunteer Tasks 

• Perform seasonal gardening tasks such as weeding, pruning, planting, watering, and seed collection (fall/winter). 
• Prune woody vegetation, including shrubs, vines, and trees. 
• Utilize the provided logbook to record species development, recurring species, invasive species, and pollinators observed. 
• Inspect for visible plant diseases (e.g., molds, brown spots, rusts, blight, mildew), predatory insects, and unusual or poor plant growth; record and report all findings to a supervisor. 
• Remove non-native, invasive, or aggressive species. 
• Remove rocks, leaves, limbs, and trash from garden and surrounding areas. 
• Sweep and rake walkways and trail paths; collect litter and debris throughout the site. 
• Perform additional maintenance duties as assigned. 
• Only perform tasks and handle plant species that have been approved by a supervisor and fall within the terms of service. 

Tools and Materials Provided 

Volunteers will not use power tools and equipment.