Join us from 8-10 a.m. on Tuesdays or Fridays for volunteering sessions in the Kate Gorrie Butterfly House. Mornings will begin with a brief lesson on various topics related to butterfly ecology, presented by one of our Watershed Educators. The remainder of the time will be spent working alongside the educator and fellow volunteers while caring for the Butterfly House. Help us keep the garden healthy and weed-free, collect native butterflies on the reserve, and care for our caterpillars. This opportunity will be available June – October.
Qualifications:
- Able-bodied adult, capable of carrying at least 20lbs and performing physical labor in a HOT environment. May require standing or kneeling for an extended period of time. (Work at your own speed, water, restrooms, and air conditioning are nearby!)
- Previous experience gardening or working with native plants is a plus.
- Able to identify plants accurately, or willing to learn how to do so.
- Comfortable working around and handling caterpillars, butterflies, and other insects and arachnids!
- Sociable, friendly and able to communicate well with visitors.
Morning lessons and trainings may include the following topics:
- Native plants
- Milkweed community
- Sustainable seed collection
- What’s a “weed”?
- Specific butterfly species
- Other pollinators
- Butterfly predators and diseases
- Monarch migration
- Butterfly life cycle
- Chemical-free pest control and soil remediation
- Creating your own pollinator garden
