Opportunities From: United Way of King County

Pioneer Park Event

Enjoy the towering trees, listen to the birds, and give a little back to this beautiful park by removing common ivy that is taking over the understory of Pioneer Park’s SE quadrant. It will be a great chance to get your hands in the dirt, learn about native plants and our local forests, and work alongside neighbors and friends!

 

All ages welcome, and no experience necessary! Gloves, tools, water, and small snacks provided. Please note: we require participants aged 14 and under to volunteer with a parent or guardian at a ratio of 1 adult to 3 kids.

When: Saturday, June 13th, 11am-1pm

Where: Pioneer Park SE, follow volunteer event signs

What to bring: Dress for the weather in clothes you don’t mind getting dirty (think: long pants, boots or sneakers). Bring water. Small snacks, gloves, and tools will be provided.

Gallagher Garden Club

Join the Gallagher Hill Garden Club! These relaxed events are a great fit for gardeners, native plant lovers, and novices alike. During these events you will be weeding, caring for planting beds, and helping us make the garden a welcoming community space for all to enjoy. We hope to see you there!

Tasks may include:  Maintaining garden beds (micro weeding, plant propagation), maintaining garden paths (removing grass, adding mulch or gravel), spreading mulch, propagating plants and help expand native plant coverage, plant pruning, watering, and trash removal.

 

All ages welcome, and no experience necessary! Gloves, tools, water, and small snacks provided.

 

When: Wednesday, June 17th, 1-3pm

Where: Gallagher Hill Habitat Garden

What to bring: Dress for the weather in clothes you don’t mind getting dirty (think: long pants, boots or sneakers). Bring water. Small snacks, gloves, and tools will be provided.

Homestead Park

Join us in Homestead Park where we will be removing blackberry crowding native plants. This will be a great opportunity to learn the basics of restoration and plant identification, all while making our local forests healthier. Come get your hands in the dirt, work alongside neighbors and friends, and eat snacks!

 

No experience necessary all ages welcome; gloves and tools are provided. Please note: we require participants aged 14 and under to volunteer with a parent or guardian at a ratio of 1 adult to 3 kids.

 

When:  Saturday, June 27th, 10am-1pm

Where: Homestead Field, follow VOLUNTEER EVENT signs

What to bring: Dress for the weather in clothes you don’t mind getting dirty (think: long pants, boots or sneakers). Bring a water bottle. Small snacks, gloves, and tools will be provided.

Event assistants help out either Volunteer Coordinator or Forest Stewards with day-of event tasks, from event set-up and break down, volunteer registration forms, taking photos  during event, and leading volunteers in restoration tasks. Restoration tasks will include removing weeds, planting, spreading mulch and gravel, watering, and some trail work among others.

Note: Volunteer assistants are not expected to spend event time actively doing restoration, but rather guiding attendees by offering help and giving advice on best practices.

Duties:

Attend orientation Attend various volunteer events at different parks around Mercer Island (events held once a week, alternating Saturdays, and Wednesday/Thursdays) Attend optional trainings (These trainings will be led and designed by a combination of Volunteer Coordinator, Forest Stewards, and Volunteer Event Assistants, and can reflect things you’re interested in learning about.) Manage volunteer sign-ins and waivers Help with unloading tools and set-up of volunteer table Assist with break-down of volunteer table and loading tools Give demonstrations for proper tool use and restoration techniques Answer volunteer questions Take photos of participants throughout event

Time Commitment:

3-hour orientation before starting position Additional optional trainings occur throughout the year and run about 2-3 hours. Events typically run 2-3 hours, we ask Volunteer Event Assistants to arrive a half hour before start time, and stay between 15-30 minutes after the end of the event Ideally Volunteer Event Assistants can commit to attending a minimum of 3 events throughout the year.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Mercer Island’s Natural Resources Department is looking for volunteer photographers. Volunteers in this role will take photos for promotional materials and marketing purposes. We’re specifically looking for photographers to capture our various events, along with photos of plants and wildlife across the island.

We will accept photographers of all levels from students to professionals. We do not have a camera to provide.

 

DUTIES:

Attend restoration and trail events held across the island (can drop in, not required to stay the full event) Take photos at tabling and educational events Take photos of wildlife (ie: birds, deer, insects, etc) and plants Follow specific photo prompts